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Fashion Crimes
Categories: Shopping Fashion Accessories Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Accessories, Women's Clothing [Edit]
322 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2A2
Neighbourhoods: Queen Street West, Downtown Core
(416) 592-9001
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Fashion Crimes
15 reviews in English
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Review from Anon O.
Toronto, ON
8/5/2011
I love fashion crimes, mainly for their window displays- they are always so magical. walking past them late night provides serious inspiration. they are always beautifully decorated with sparkling accessories (being a magpie i am auto-drawn to this), luxurious backdrops (one of my favorites was their taxidermy display) and lush dresses swept effortlessly over mannequin bodies.
that being said, this is the perfect store (alongside F/X which is now called something else?) for special occasions such as the prom, graduation, weddings, etc. because the quality of clothing is fabulous. if you have the patience to go through all the racks you will end up finding something unique. otherwise it's best to talk to a salesperson and get a personal fitting. they also do customization if you need a specific size or something adjusted to your body type.
alas, i never purchased a dress from here BUT i've come countless times and gotten myself amazing pieces of jewelry, accessories and bags. my favorite gloves are from here that i purchased 50% off, originally from $80. they have lasted me 4 years and i always get complimented. not only that but the quality is amazing, they haven't gotten damaged despite me wearing them all the time in the winter, even in freezing temperatures! another favorite purchase was a victorian inspired purse that i had my eye on for a long time in 2004. it was originally over $150 but i snagged it for $60 on sale. i still love it to this day even if my style has changed, it adds a pop to any outfit. the prices ARE steep but be on the look out for their sales!
the main thing about fashion crimes is that you cannot allow yourself to be overstimulated (this is HARD) because you will not find anything. you just need a little time and patience to seek things out. there are a lot of racks filled to the brim. however, it's worth picking through them because every piece is eye candy!Listed in: BEAUTY, HEALTH & SHOPPING
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Review from Hilary S.
12/21/2010
Fashion Crimes has some wonderful finds.
If you can find them.
That's the whole crime of this store (ok. the awful puns stop now, I promise). Good luck walking around--dresses and racks and people are everywhere.
I say this store is kinda of like the umbra of dresses. Amazing to squeeze through and look at.
Not somewhere to go if you are seriously trying to buy something.Listed in: Shopping or browsing, Never again...
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Review from Sue L.
Toronto, ON
9/28/2010
I went into Fashion Crimes today as I have many times over the past 20+ years and was very disappointed. What happened?! I loved no place more than Pam's closet of deeply creative designs. While there is still the imagination I came to realize something I simply cannot reconcile.
Lots of twists on conventional style dresses (that's fine, need to widen the audience, I get it...) with lots of crinoline styles (I dig) but the real road bump is $$$. Holy freekin bloody hell! A tank top that would fit my two year old sized daughter is $200!!! Yes, it is covered in sequence but how does that make any sense at all?!? Am I actually poor and didn't notice or is this the new Fashion Crimes for the folks with green to burn?
I can understand that the clothes are hand-made and Queen Street West square footage rates are sky high and yes Pam has made it, why shouldn't she charge what she can?
To this I have only a personal reason to which no one but those who share my feeling will care about: I can no longer be a part of something I have loved and supported for so long. -
Review from Shelly M.
Toronto, ON
10/15/2010
When this store first opened up in the early 1990's she had only a custom made dresses, mostly what we today would call goth style, and the prices where tight for me back then. But I was an avid fan.
I would religiously go into she store just to see what goussy, black - corset thing she might have. Or some smoking hot short slinky funky dress. I had a collection of skirts, and amazing dresses from her. Today if I had of kept them would be retro! Sigh... live and learn right..
She carried funky clunky boots, and super pointy shoes! ahhhh I so loved those shoes. Oh and the boots with lots and lots of buckets on them:)
So when I when back into the store recently - By thunder I was shocked!!!!
What the hell?!?
Hello....nothing just nothing of her stuff, or her work anywhere in the store. I found her name Pam Chorley Fashion Crimes...but it did seem like her work anymore....sad...
Lots of imported designer work - hogpog of dresses placed higgly piggly over the store. It great if you have the time to peruse and check things out. It differently different, and retro in its own way..Its whimscial and I felt like I was at high tea, but couldnt find the sugar...Listed in: Shopping BEST
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Review from Linds B.
9/4/2011
This store is a loud, colorful, and completely overwhelming in every way! Luckily, the staff does know the stock, and they will lead you in the right direction. Within a few minutes, I had several great options, and was in the dressing room. The girls there helped me with zippers and ties and what not, and offered great ideas for accessorizing. Still, it's loud, it's raucous, it's not really my type of shopping experience. Ultimately, the dress I liked best here I ended up buying across the street from Kazuo - Kazuo had the dress for $225, at Fashion Crimes, it was $295. That's a big difference. But either way, I would definitely come back to Fashion Crimes if I needed a fancy dress on short notice, they know their stuff! And for accessories, you can't beat the selection. Worth the stop.
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Review from Marie F.
If Alice in Wonderland were a store, it would be Fashion Crimes. Truly a master of whimsy, glamour and mystery, designer Pam Chorley always knows how to make a girl sparkle in one of her gorgeous dresses.
I actually bought my wedding dress here off the rack, but you also have the option of getting dresses custom made. If you are buying a dress for a formal event such as prom, they have a registrations program that will prevent anyone from your high school to purchase the same dress!
In addition to formal and semi formal dresses, Fashion Crimes has a fantastic selection of costume jewellery, handbags (I heart their Karen Wilson bags), and random knickknacks. They also have "casual" dresses, such as my super cute (and obnoxious) "Coq dress", which is a classically shaped cotton sheath dress, with giant roosters on it (I get compliments every time I wear it).
I also love how the staff wear the dresses from the store, it makes them generally more aware of how the dresses are cut and what body types they flatter. Although the service here is usually excellent, my last visit was a little touch and go. The girl I spoke to concerning the beautiful belt on the mannequin, seemed very new and overwhelmed by my questions (such as what size is that belt!) Despite not being particularly knowledgeable, she was quite sweet.
AWESOME TIP: Don't hate me for telling you, but if you have a wedding, prom, or just looking to save up for a party dress, they have a layaway plan. You have to put 20-25% down and make payments every two weeks! -
Review from Anna C.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2011
Fashion Crimes is like a candy store, a place where you can get lost for hours (and there's enough selection to do so easily). There are little surprises and goodies tucked away in every nook and corner of the place. If you're planning a trek through the store, definitely set aside some time so you can do it justice. This isn't a quick browsing store. Start at one corner (I recommend hanging a left and doing a loop around the store) and work your way around so you don't miss anything. The best times to shop here are during the week days before 4 pm when the store starts to get significantly busier. The experience is better and you can take your time more if there isn't high traffic.
The dresses are very retro-rockabilly inspired and are definitely rather pricy. The store is raided by high school girls for prom and a great place to get a custom wedding dress with a bit of a twist.
The shining highlight for me are their accessories! I find sooo many delightful, odd-ball, glittery bits here that get raves from strangers on the street. And for the most part, the jewelry is reasonably priced and there are deals to be had.
They also have incredible and outrageous hats. My favorite are the Audrey Hepburne-style sun hats in the summer. There are scarves, a wonderful selection of stockings (best place to get the contrast cuban-heel back seam stockings in the city), aprons, oven mitts, everything a girl could wish for to put a little glamour into each day.
Fashion Crimes also has a great selection of handbags: Karen Wilson, Matt & Nat, etc.
The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Tailoring is offered (items are sent to the workshop a few blocks away).
If you lust for the dresses but they aren't in your budget, keep an eye out for the insane sales. This store sure knows how to slash prices to rock bottom. -
Review from Michelle A.
Toronto, ON
10/15/2010
I hated this store. I've heard so many great things about it having the best dresses, so I was shocked when I walked in. The racks are so annoying. It's like a costume store in there... you can't reach anything. The dresses are squished together like at Winners - it's impossible to shop. And the dresses aren't cheap. If I'm going to spend $400, I'd like to see a few manequins, or some room to walk around.
If you have a lot of energy, or want something vibrant/unique, it might be worth while - if you're just looking for a simple cocktail dress, it's a bit of a headache.Listed in: Little black dresses
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Review from nikki c.
Toronto, ON
5/30/2010
Gorgeous frocks, dresses and gowns oh my!
I've been frequenting Fashion Crimes for about 10 years now, and it still never disappoints. The 5-star rating is partly from nostalgia; I remember being about 15 and coming to the "grunge princess" store. And while I no longer want to be Courtney Love, I still get a little rush when I approach Fashion crimes. As soon as you open the door to this shop (by pulling the door handle shaped like a giant pair of scissors) you know you've stepped into a unique store. Make your way through tulle, lace and ribbons...one-of-a-kind and indie-designed dresses literally cover the store from roof to floor. SO much selection, there's no way you'll walk out without seeing something you like. And best of all, it's pretty much certain that in one of owner Pam Chorley's dresses you'll never be wearing the same thing as any other gal at the ball.
Most of dresses are expensive (I would say upwards of $299 based on my last visit a few weeks ago) but they're absolutely incredible. And they usually have a sale rack, so there's always a chance you'll pick something up on the cheap. And they sell a whole lot of accessories too, from over-size flower clips, to dress gloves to sassy hats.
If I ever get married, I'm coming here first. Because I won't need a diamond, but I will need a Pam Chorley gown. -
Review from Colleen B.
8/6/2009
I had a dream once, there was a store, it had an artistic window display that inspired the artist in me and drew me in. The store was filled from floor to ceiling with adorable dresses, some puffy with full skirts and others with a retro feel, but in ultra modern fabrics. There were feathery headpieces and belts and shoes and purses so unique, they could only be in my dreams....oh wait...that was a store I went into in Toronto...Fashion Crimes.
So it was not a dream, but a dream come true. I was scanning the racks fiendishly and seeing that if you like a particular fabric, but not the style, they had it in another version. How glorious!
The sales people were even friendly and made easy conversation. People in Toronto are the nicest ever. They almost had me convinced that the retro cherry print dress would look adorable on me. Too bad I didn't have the $250 needed to own this piece of a dream. -
Review from Kat T.
10/14/2009
Lovely, lovely lace, chiffon, silk, jersey, knit, velvet (?) dresses. Pam Chorley was a genius to move into this bigger location. Please don't move again. Amidst the Eaton Centre that Queen West has become, Pam Chorley is an oasis of independent thought. Wear feathers in your hair, polka dots and striped socks, the women here will help you accessorize.
With a selection of seriously unique wedding dresses, all you Indie-brides must come here before making up your mind. The Misdemeanors section of the store is for little criminals- so cute girl's clothes. A perfect gift for 7-10 year old girls, this isn't frou-frou for babies.
I have been browsing here since 2002. Thanks Pam for keeping it Indie! -
Review from Elle P.
6/29/2009
This is my other favorite store in Toronto. Not shopping here is a Fashion Crime.
I die for the dresses here because the design, cut, and style is EXACTLY my taste. Lots of 50-style dresses with a fitted top and full skirt. I just wish they didn't cost so much so I could fill my closet with these beautiful gems. -
Review from Dardana M.
ON
1/30/2009
*Le sigh*. I never got to have my Fashion Crimes moment.
I had many moments of wandering in there as a young thing, making day trips into the city. My friends and I referred to it as "the princess store", as we took in its magical racks of shimmering, flowing robes and change rooms ensconcing us in curtains. Ugh, we were such losers; losers who couldn't read the damn name on the sign for all the fairy dust in their eyes. Seriously, we actually didn't know what it was called.
The only foreseeable reason to purchase anything, yes, *PROM*! got wasted on the previously mentioned (thanks for reminding me, Melissa), and far-cheaper, Fairweather. No, I was no princess, but I assure you, it was not by choice.
Whatever, prom was lame anyway. Maybe I'll save this place for my wedding... -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
11/27/2008
I've only had one reason to shop at Fashion Crimes (Prom) and I didn't even end up going, so I didn't end up needing to buy a dress at all.
But that's not to say I didn't want to. This place has gorgeous gowns that go far beyond the gross concoctions that Fairweather and Le Chateau come up with. If you want a dress with character that will make you look hot and awesome, this is your place.
Apparently they have a "Prom Dress Registry" to ensure that you're buying a dress that no one else has, and that no one else will buy your dress, to avoid the HORROR of showing up at prom with the same dress! OMG! Sorry, I shouldn't mock, I know it would be devastating if it happened to me at 16.
Anyway, great dresses, but as formal dresses cost a pretty penny, don't expect bargains. The store is cute too, so it's fun to take a gander in once in a while. -
Review from Christine T.
8/20/2009
I love the look and feel of the dresses here. Sumptuous and spendy, a lethal combination! I get claustrophobic with the double layer rack hanging system making it a little too ADHD of a shopping experience so I prefer her website. Nice job with the blog ladies. Looks AND brains.
