Maybe you can't get something for nothing . . . but you can score some pretty fab finds on the cheap in Toronto. It's a treasure hunt of sorts, and the spoils are anything but certain, but when you find that perfect piece marked down to next-to-nothing, well, that just makes it all worthwhile. Many Toronto retailers, including luxurious Holt Renfrew, have their own outlet shops. Here's my own little black book of favorite foraging grounds. Happy hunting!
Dixie Outlet Mall -- Ten minutes from Pearson International Airport is the answer to bargain-shoppers' prayers. It's hard to beat the Dixie Outlet Mall for number of bargains per square foot. There are more than 120 outlet shops here, including Femme de Carriere and chocolatier Laura Secord, so you're bound to find something. 1250 S. Service Rd., Mississauga. tel. 905/278-7492. Gardiner Expressway/Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) west to Dixie Rd. exit. Turn left, follow Dixie Rd. south to S. Service Rd.
Grreat Stuff -- There's an awful lot of men's clothes packed into this small retail space, but if you're not troubled by claustrophobia, dig in for some amazing deals. Business casual is this shop's mainstay, though there are grreat prices on Italian silk ties and brand-name suits. 870 Queen St. W. tel. 416/533-7680. Subway: Osgoode, then streetcar west to Shaw St.
Holt Renfrew Last Call -- It might not be the most organized store you've laid eyes on, but what it lacks in tidiness it makes up for in bargains. The racks are laden with brands such as Donna Karan, Prada, and Versace, marked down to one-half to one-fifth of what they would normally cost. There have been rumors of Kate Spade handbags on sale here, but I have yet to arrive in time. May you have better luck. 370 Steeles Ave. W. tel. 905/886-7444. Subway: Finch, then Steeles West bus.
Honest Ed's World Famous Shopping Centre -- Ed's is a Toronto institution, framed with flashing red and yellow lights both outdoors and indoors. "Don't just stand there, buy something!" blurts out one brazen sign. This idiosyncratic store has a deal on everything from housewares to carpets, from clothing to sundries. Crazy-making as shopping here can be, the bargains are unbeatable -- but be warned, the queues are, too. 581 Bloor St. W. tel. 416/537-2111. Subway: Bathurst.
Marilyn's -- Here's a rare thing: knockdown prices paired with attentive service. The specialty is Canadian fashions for women, from sportswear to glamorous gowns. There are also in-store seminars about fashion-forward topics like traveling with just one suitcase. 130 Spadina Ave. tel. 416/504-6777. Subway: Spadina, then LRT to Queen St. W.
Paris Samples -- This store snaps up designers' samples and marks them down 20% to 75%. The clothes range from wool pants to velvet dresses to micro-miniskirts. One caveat: The sizes are all under 14, and many clothes come only in the smallest sizes. 101 Yorkville Ave. tel. 416/926-0656. Subway: Bay.
The Shoe Company -- This is every foot fetishist's dream: great shoes for men and women from Unisa, Nine West, and others, marked down to unbeatable prices. There are lots of funky styles that won't be stylish for long, but it won't hurt your pocketbook to splurge. There are outlets around the city, including First Canadian Place. 711 Yonge St. tel. 416/923-8388. Subway: Yonge/Bloor.
Tom's Place -- After more than 40 years in business, Tom's Place looks sharper than ever. While the shop devotes an entire floor to women's wear, the best buys are in the men's department: You'll find brand-name merchandise by the likes of Armani and Valentino. Suits that cost C$495 to $1,800 (US$347-$1,260) elsewhere ring up for C$299 to $850 (US$209-$595) here. Tom's Place stocks sizes from 36 short to 50 tall. 190 Baldwin St. tel. 416/596-0297. Subway: Spadina, then LRT to Baldwin St.
Winner's -- This northern outpost of the U.S.-owned T.J. Maxx chain offers great deals on clothes for men and women (think Jones New York, Tommy Hilfiger, and Earl Jeans), and top-name togs for the kiddies. There's also an ever-changing selection of housewares, cookware, linens, toiletries, and toys. The new 40,000-square-foot outlet at College Park is always packed, but its large, airy space is filled with deals. College Park. tel. 416/598-8800; Subway: College. The smaller but longstanding location in the Fashion District is another good bet. 57 Spadina Ave. tel. 416/585-2052. Subway: Spadina, then LRT to King St. W.
