Q1: You wouldn’t think about it with today’s temperature, but  with the Fall season around the corner, women are going to need to refresh their wardrobes.

Yes if they shop at outlet stores or liquidation stores, they can get the brand names they know, that fit them well, for a lot less.

Q2: What is the difference between an outlet store and a liquidation store?

An outlet store is often a store where the same brand is sold for less but it may not be the same items as in their regular retail stores. Not all items sold at an outlet are found at their regular stores - perhaps the weight of the cotton is less or the logo is stenciled on instead of embroidered or it was bought just to be sold here. Some outlet shops mix these different items, some recalls from regular stores and some regular priced items.

A liquidation store is clearances from the regular stores from last season or overstocks from this season.

Q3: If they don’t have time to run all over the city for these, are they clustered anywhere?

Centre Riocan in Kirkland is large, has 4 strips of shops around a parking lot and there are perhaps two dozen stores in this outdoor “mall”. If you keep going west on the TCan to Exit 26, you will bump into a teeny weeny strip of 4 shops at Promenades Hudson. Both of these have some “single” brand ladies upscale clothing.

Q4: Okay we’ve made it to those malls, now, where to we shop?

Liz Claiborne Outlet is about to close on October 13. Liz lovers will be thrilled to be able to buy some of her lines discounted here - Liz & Co, Liz Golf, Liz Clairborne in sizes 4-22. The store is a mix of regular products like you’d find in a regular-priced boutique and clothes made just for outlet stores. You need to know the difference - or ask.

Location:  3264 Jean Yves, Centre Riocan, Kirkland
corner: Transcanadienne
Phone: 514-426-1549
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.lizclaiborneinc.com

Jones New York Magasin Entrepot offers up Jones for less here in this white, airy spot. Beyond Jones (Sport, Signature Collection, Joneswear), though, you could buy Anne Klein New York, AK Sport, Evan Picone, Kasper, Bandalino or Nine West in a large size range from 2-16, 14W-24W and petites too.

Location: 3280 rue Jean-Yves, Centre Riocan, Kirkland
corner: Transcanadienne
Phone: 514-695-8385
Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5
Other locations: Promenades Hudson (450-455-9009); St-Sauveur (450-227-8711).

Promenades Hudson:

Jones NY (450-455-9009) - famous designer’s lines (2-16), (Sport, Signature Collection, Joneswear), Anne Klein New York, AK Sport, Evan Picone, Kasper, Bandalino or Nine West sizes 4-18, 14W-24W, petites
Lace (450-455-5552) - ladies’ fashions sizes 6-18
Olsen (450-424-5224 - ladies (34 - 46 European size = 2 - 16 Canadian size) regular, samples, clearances

Location: Boul. Harwood, Exit 26 on the Trans Canada Highway
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Tel: 514-694-2371

Raffinati has been a well-known well-made Montreal-made label for women’s (2-18) suits, coats, raincoats and sportswear  for many years. About 3 or 4 times a year (March, June, Aug, Dec) they are clear out their stock from their Chabanel showroom including scarves and jewelry to go with all of the above. The next sale happens at the end of August.

9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Tel: 514-327-4477
Dates: Aug 27-29
Time: 10-6

Q1 -Why are so many schools changing over to color dress codes and school uniforms?

- It has been shown school uniforms can help deter school violence and promote better discipline because of the positive change in the learning environment
- A real plus is that uniforms help administrators identify possible intruders to the school

Q2 - Okay a plus for school, but a plus or minus for parents?

- Makes morning rush out the door much easier for the parents
-  Wearing of uniforms takes the battle zone out of the ritual “What do I wear to school? problem
- You never have to take part in  that back-to-school shopping spree going, from store to store and trying to agree on what will be suitable

Q3 - What about the kids, do uniforms make their lives better or not?

- Reduces peer pressure, because no one can wear fancier designer names on their bums
- A child never has to worry about wearing the wrong thing, geeky styles, something a parent chose - and they have gotten laughed at

Q4 - It sounds like this is more expensive for the budget

- Buying uniforms is less costly in the end than buying an entire new wardrobe every year
- Often, a  good portion of last year’s clothing still fits this year, saving hundreds of dollars

Q5 - Okay, smart shopper, where are the places we can buy them other than the list the schools give out?

Moni is tucked away at the rear of the Kute Knit factory; You do have to go up a flight of stairs to check out this spot for children’s (newborn-18) casual clothes. At this time of the year, color coded uniforms rule the day and they offer up some of the lowest prices.

In navy, black and gray (the 2 prices refer to the Canadian-made ones or the imported ones): boys pants ($12 & $14), girls pants ($10 &$12), jumpers ($10 & $18), polo shirts ($8 short sleeve or  $9 long sleeve), dress shirts ($10), shorts ($4 & $6), cardigans ($12), gym t-shirts (short sleeve $4 or long sleeve $5), skirts ($8 & $12), boot leg leggings ($6), regular leggings ($5).

The rest of the shop has kids’ clothes for $5 (even 2-piece outfits) and mostly less than $10. Adult fleece jogging sets can be found at only $12. Great for our winter, there will be snowsuits at $28-$60.

Location: 1000 Beaumont, in rear
corner: boul.  l’Acadie
Tel: 514-273-2544 X 262
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4:30 (Sat 9-2 Aug-Dec, call first)

St Henri Uniformes, is officially a blue collar uniform store with great prices. For boys and girls there are color code uniforms starting with pants in blue, black and gray in waist sizes 23 and up. Hemming is included in the price. White polos start at $16 and white button down shirts are $20 and up. For girls, blue tunics are $30 and up and pleated skirts come in navy blue, black and gray.

The rest of you can buy all kinds of heavy duty jeans, gloves, safety helmets, goggles, boots, western shirts, weatherproof outerwear and ice grips for shoes. They can outfit any of the following: truck drivers, bus drivers, guards, policemen, firemen, pilots, service station  attendants, clubs, schools, restaurant workers, ambulance drivers and chauffeurs. You can also find men’s shirts to 5XL, pants to size 60, and husky boys can be fitted as well.

Location: 2671 Notre-Dame ouest
corner: Atwater
TeL: 514-933-8570
Hours this month for uniforms: Mon-Thurs  9-5:30, Sat 9-1. Hours rest of year Mon-Wed & Fri 8:30-5:30, Thurs 8:30-7, Sat 8:30-4
www. sthenriuniform.com

Schreters has been for 82 years, the place on the Main for men’s and boys’ (7-18) clothing, including suits (to 52). It’s not surprising that you can boys’ school uniform pants (8-18) in a few styles ($29.99-49.99) in  black, navy and a few shades of gray. There is a limited amount of husky pants too.

Oxford shirts are sold in white and light blue, ($19.99 and up), polos with long sleeve are $14.99 and short sleeves $12.99. Their blazers are from quality manufacturers and come in black or navy ($79.99) and there’s ties too. You might be able to score a husky suit ($119 and up). For shoes, there’s basic loafers and basic oxford leather shoes available at $44.99. Their forte is locating hard to find sizes as they will go out and look for them for you. Since they sell both boys’ and men’s suits here, if your child needs a suit for school, sometimes a very small man’s size might fit a boy. A tailor available on site.

Now both men and women can think of this as their neighborhood shoe shop (Toms, Fly London, Converse, Birkenstock, Reebok, Ecco, Rockport, Hush Puppies, and for flip flops - Reef, Haviana, Flojo’s). Make sure you ask for their footwear loyalty card for $50 off on your 6th pair of shoes.

They carry name brand clothing (Point Zero, Buffalo, Vera Moda, Lady Dutch, K.way, French Connection, Jack & Jones, Ben Sherman, Penguin, Selected, Levi jeans) in everything from suits to jeans and underwear, all at wonderful prices. Women can find some casual wear and outerwear.

The staff are exceptionally helpful and can come up with really hard-to-find items like suspenders and handkerchiefs, or woolen underwear. For camp lists (duffle bag embroidery) and school uniforms, this joint is one stop shopping. The store motto, “No hassle money back guarantee”, is quite true.

Location:  4358 boul. St-Laurent
corner: Mary Anne
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30- 9, Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-5
www.schreter.com

Loft Uniformes was started by Moms 19 years ago, and is still run by Moms who know what Moms need and want - good quality uniforms that will hold up all year at affordable prices. It’s one stop shopping for all your school uniform needs, from the clothing to socks, tights, school bags and belts in a full color range of gray, royal blue, navy blue, hunter green, burgundy, red and more.

For boys’ uniforms, there’s pants, long sleeve shirts, polos, sweat shirts, kangaroos, gym shorts, jogging and track pants and Bermuda shorts. Girls are offered 1/2 dozen styles of jumpers, skirts and pants, and also Bermudas, culottes, spandex polos, turtlenecks, cardigans (in knit and fleece), and look for blazers for both sexes.

The size range here was a surprise - they run from a toddler size 2 right up to adult 5X, and can be custom-made if necessary, and alterations are available.

Location: 7101 du Parc, suite 205
corner: Ave. du Parc
Hours:  August: Mon-Sat 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5. Rest of year: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3
www.loftuniforms.com

Since 1964, The Tailored Man has been coming to North America fitting men (and sometimes women) with made-to-measure suits at Hong Kong’s prices (starting at $460, shirts start at $55). The suits come with extras you don’t usually see in North American stores: sweat shields, cell phone pockets and the pants have a heel guard and knee lining. When you order a shirt, you choose collar style, cuff and monogram location.

Sunder Daswani’s team is back in Montreal so make a personal appointment: 866-751-7868 or 571-529-0539 or www.tailoredman.com/appointment. To be added to their mailing list: goodfit@tailoredman.com. At this sale, they will be giving you a complimentary shirt with each order.

Locations and Dates:
August 9  & 10: Ruby Foo’s Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. Phone: 514-731-7701
August 11-13 : Sheraton Laval, 2440 Autoroute des Laurentides, Phone: 450-687-2440
August 14 & 15:  Sheraton Centre, 1250 Rene Levesque West, Phone: 514- 878-2000

www.tailoredman.com

Every so often, the ladies clothing shop (sizes 4-24) Gilbert & Daughter calls all their regular customers and has a blowout Wednesday evening sale when they sell everything in the store for $30 or less. Some idea of prices: t-shirts that normally sell for $70 will be $10,  party dresses are $8, there’s some bras for $5.

Keep this store in your radar because even normally prices are 30-70% off. By maintaining low overhead, they can provide famous name brands in dresses, suits, co-ordinates, sweaters and sportswear at great prices. Asked to be called for these special sale evenings, and don’t forget to see what there is in the lower level.

Location: 49 Donegani, Dorval
corner: Boul. des Sources
Tel: 514-695-3107
Sale Date and Hours: Wednesday, August 11, 5-9pm.
Normal business Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-7:30, Sat & Sun 10-5

Q1:  It’s time to be a tourist in our own city, can you tell us a bit about what’s happening in Old Montreal?

When was the last time you went to Old Montreal? If you haven’t seen it in the last few years, you won’t recognize it. The software companies that marched into its western end, mostly west of McGill St., have turned this area on its nose.

Now there are people living and working down here. Fabulous new restaurants have opened up in wonderful new boutique hotels. At the eastern end, near Bonsecours St., an entire new neighborhood was created.

Q2:  That sounds like a lot of changing, is the street scene modernizing and losing its Old World charm?

Did you know that the buildings on de la Commune Street look exactly the same today as they would have been to a sailor who sailed into the port in the 19th century?  Place Jacques Cartier has been totally refreshed. For the summer, St. Paul street has been turned into a pedestrian mall.

Q3:  Let’s get back to your specialty, what about the shopping there?

For all of the new inhabitants, retail shops opened to feed and care for them  - bakeries, dry cleaners, clothing shops, furriers and depanneurs have filled up the empty storefronts.

At first glance, dear old St. Paul St. is still filled with so many souvenir shops. Having said that, a handful of them contain the works of real artisans or more upscale gifts, and those are worth stopping in to see.

Q4:  What kinds of thing would we find in those stores?

You can think of these shops as shopping green and shopping local:

L’empreinte Cooperative is a 37-year-old co-op for over 70 Quebec artists and artisans, you can expect to find variety, including ceramics, handmade albums, glass vases, bowls, sheepskin slippers, pewter lamps, handmade clothing, puppets and creative jewelry. Marianne Chevalier weaves pictures using copper thread and for souvenir hunters, Renee Bovet captures Montreal street scenes on silk.

Location:  272 St. Paul St. East
corner:  Marche Bonsecours St.
Phone: 514-861-4427.
Hours:  Sun-Wed 10-6, Thurs-Sat 10-10 (Summer daily 10-10, Jan & Feb 11-5:30 daily)
www.empreintecoop.com

Smack in the middle of old Montreal, Les artisans du meuble quebecois, is a 43-year-old artisan’s consignment shop displays some of the wares of a minimum of 450 artists. Look for: glassware, ceramics, handmade cards, duck decoys, door knockers, fish bone shadow boxes, scarves, wooden kids’ furniture, dolls, quilts, creches, jewelry (silver, beaded), wooden boxes and then some.

Location:
88 St. Paul St. East
corner: St. Gabriel St.
Phone: 514- 866-1836.
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At Tant qu’il y aura des fleurs, the decor here feels like you’ve stepped into someone’s lovely rustic home. Objects to fill yours include artificial fruit and veggies, candlesticks, large quilts and pillows, Joanel purses, animal wallets, woven place mats, colorful tablecloths from Provence (wash ‘n use, stain repellent), dishes, wooden bowls, vases, interesting jewelry and for fun, roosters, For babies, look in the back for little terry robes and booties made in Quebec. Everything can be gift-wrapped to go.  Right now you’d be surprised but they have set up a Christmas section and does make people smile when the see it.

347 St. Paul St. East
corner: St. Claude St.
Phone: 514-395-9079
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Inside Marche Bonsecours, , emphasizes natural items. Look for framed displays of beetles or butterflies, petrified wood, some minerals and fossils. You can buy an 8′ giraffe, skin drums, stone candle holders, dream catchers, bamboo flutes, paper lanterns and some really nice handmade paper stationery.

300 St. Paul St. East
corner: Bonsecours St.,  inside Marche Bonsecours
Phone: 514- 868-9992
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

An insurance recovery plan conducted by Continental S.A. is aiming to re-coup some cash by selling off Buffalo Jeans. Men’s and women’s jeans start at $19.99, men’s t-shirts at $9.99, men’s dress shirts $19.99, men’s shorts at $7.99. For women, tops begin at $4.99, dresses $9.99 and then youth jeans are $14.99.

Location: 3610 Cote Vertu, VSL
corner: Beaulac
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30-9, Sat & Sun 9:30-5
Dates: The information is dated July 14th and doesn’t say how long it will last.

Gilbert & Daughter is a great place to stock up on a full range of ladies’ wear (sizes 4-44) at prices that are regularly 30-70%F off. Their sales are even better. The famous name brands in suits, co-ordinates, sweaters and sportswear are continuously slashed and this week everything in their lower level is a flat $8.

Asked to be called for special sale evenings.

Location: 49 Donegani Ave at Sources Blvd, Pointe Claire
Phone: 514-695-3107
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-7:30, Sat & Sun 10-5

Designer Fashion Outlet is a true outlet, which carries  Royal Robbins, Jeanne Pierre, Daniel Cremieux, Jessie May and names we can’t mention here at savings of 50%-90% off for men’s and ladies’ separates, jackets, pants, shirts, sweaters and outerwear. They sell this season’s samples (sample sizes: men medium and large, women small and medium), leftovers, and discontinued styles. They also have footwear and Kelty outdoor products.

Now until the end of August you can buy running shoes for $10, Jeanne Pierre shirts for $10, t-shirts that sold for $80 for only $5, Jessie May ladies tops $10 each or 2/$25 and Royal Robbins clothing $10 or 2/$25.  Come often as stock changes weekly (sometimes daily!).

Location: 5575 Royalmount, Ville Mont-Royal
corner: Devonshire
Phone: 514-739-3122 X214
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-2, Sat 9-1
Sale Dates: til end of August

Women who love the fit of the JBrand jeans on their bums, will  love this moment to buy these jeans in sizes 23-32 The sale will be held in a discount jeans store. The shop is doing a special event for them and they will all be priced at $99.

The rest of the shop is full of  premium lines like Diesel, William Rast, Ernest, Rock,  Republic and True Religion for men (28-40) and women (23-32) all very well priced. You’ll find jeans, shirts, jackets, belts, jewelry, shoes and hats.

Denim King
8575 Boul. St-Laurent
corner: de Liege
Phone: 514-750-3288
Dates: July 12-18
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 11-6, Thurs 11-9, Sun 1-5
www.denimkings.com