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16 reviews for The Outer Layer
16 reviews in English
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Review from Jen R.
Toronto, ON
1/28/2012
Great cards for all occasions- funny, quirky, sweet. Great selection of soaps, bubble baths and shaving creams etc. Beautiful wrapping paper, funny magnets, letter writing sets (yes, some still take pen to paper...) kitschy toys, unique baby gifts, and even sunglasses!
They have some great Valentine Card kits in their window right now which would make any kid, big or small, happy come Feb. 14th.
A bit expensive, yes- but as giving a card these days is a bit of a rarity, why not spend $5-$7 on it? You spend almost that much on a latte!
During my 'wander the Annex' walks, I love stopping in for a look-about, and it's great for last minute gifts! -
Review from Alana C.
2/21/2012
A great stop for gifts - this place has some really unique stuff. The cards are great! And they carry many bath products that are virtually unknown elsewhere. I always find things I love that are unique in this store.
That being said, the people that work there are always so aloof. I'm one for a little bit of chit chat, especially when I'm the only one in the store. That's the only reason why they didn't get 4 stars. -
Review from Diane C.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2011
What a store, what a store, what a store, what a mighty good store! You can definitely call me a new fan of The Outer Layer on Bloor.
I liked the card selection, which ranges from off-beat to quirky. I also liked some of the kitsch they sold (although I noticed a couple of the same product lines at the Blue Banana Market). And I was immediately drawn to the bath and beauty section.
I agree with other Yelpers when I say this place as a whole is crazy-expensive! The prices aren't for the faint of heart (especially you're being seduced by pretty-smelling soaps and lotions).
I don't know what the Queen St. location is like, but I found this location kind of small - there were quite a few people in the store with the same ideas and aims as me, so at times it made my shopping experience kind of cramped and awkward.
But overall, it's a two thumbs up from me. I may check out the Queen St. store to see if they've more products to mull over as gift ideas. -
Review from Ayesha A.
12/12/2011
Hilarious, fun stuff in this shop, but lord is it ever over-priced.
Again, like any other kitschy store, you will want to leave with half the stuff they sell, but then you will have racked up a debt larger than your OSAP.
So cute, but ultimately most of the stuff they sell is total nonsense, but how much fun!!
Even the cards are hilarious, and they have one for every occasion.
You will find a stocking stuffer for anyone on your list, but you'll pay double what you'd pay elsewhere.
Sometimes it can be worth it though, to ge that reaction out of a loved one that a gift from anywhere else just would not get!
And I love the pizzaboard chalkboard outside and read what it says every time I pass it because it's always witty! -
Review from Kelly O.
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Like the other Outer Layer location, this store has some great stuff - cool perfumes, lotions, funny gifts, and my personal fav- cards!
I find this location has some more tame offerings. Less swearing in the cards and a few less risque options. As has been mentioned before, this store is a bit pricey on some items, and others (like Burt's Bees products) are priced the same as other competitors.
I prefer the Queen W. location, however this store is always a good place to find strange and funny things. -
Review from Chris P.
11/26/2011
I love the Outer Layer. Its just such a fun place to shop and shopping is one thing I that I know I do best!
This is the kind of store where you will find things not easily found elsewhere. I personally have a thing for funky handbags and there is no shortage of those here. I also have found perfect gifts here for everyone from my grandmother who likes cutesy home knick knacks, my sister who is into baking things, my best friend who is into mammoth coffee mugs and my cats who like charms for thier collars.
I also found an amazing handbag there for myself balzened with Anime-esque mushrooms and no exaggeration everywhere I go peolpe ask me where did I get such a cute cute cute handbag????
So ya, the Outer Layer is a place that completley feeds my shopping addiction and I give into it every time like the junkie I have become. -
Review from Zoe R.
5/16/2011
Glory be! This Annex store is a bank of enviable goodies... They have the kind of items that beckons the question: "Where did you get *that*?" (read: I can't wait to go see one in person, for myself or my sister Amy).
This place is similar to Red Pegasus on College st.
Have a friend with a thing for owls? check. How about a friend who's loves making cupcakes? Or who's expecting, or a friend who's bday is coming up? Check, to the power of 3!
Items have more of a focus on girly items, but you can still get some pretty cool kid-man items in there - like Star Wars memorabilia, and robot/gnome patterned stationary, various kitchen items. Into 'staches? They've got moustached-items.
jewelery: if you're into jewelery that's about $25 on average, you'll appreciate OL's unique collection (no multi-mass produced pendants or rings here); most items are Canadian, to boot.
Prices are fair. Not Yorkville-ready, but for the trendsters out there, this place will be a haven for your sense of style, and your wallet.
service: is good. I felt I could shop around and really evaluate, in my head, whether I should get item x for person b. If I had any questions, there were there to help!
other:
-they offer complimentary gift-wrapping service, woo hoo!
-they currently have some vegan wallets in stock! $24.98-$29.98, in price. good-looking wallets, too. cute. -
Review from Josefa M.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2011
Every time I need a birthday or card of another other kind (ie; comical or offensive) I get it here. They have every card you will not find in a regular store. They also have a lot of awesome random items for house and home to look through, but I agree that a lot of it can be over priced.
I did buy an incredible umbrella from there in the Fall that was on sale and it is a serious conversation piece every time it rains and I get the chance to use it! The staff are funny and friendly, so I do recommend checking it out. -
Review from bleach r.
York, ON
2/14/2011
The young Chinese girls that's always there is rude, I think she's the owner.
The other girl that works there is very nice so, 5 stars for her.
I went there today to get a wrapping paper, I was talking to the cashier a little bit, while my 2 yr old daughter took a magnet from the front ( which I saw and put back ), then the chinese girls said that they don't like to have kids going in there and parent should pay attention ????
wow, great attitude she has ( maybe she was already 15yrs old when she came out of her mom's bottom ) she forgot she was a 2 year old once too. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
12/7/2010 2 photos
The Outer Layer is the funniest store on this whole Annex strip for browsing!!
They have so much and varieties wise so interesting!
Love their jewellery collection with necklace and charm for around $25..which makes a wonderful gifts.
Here you can find gifts for anyone that you know... and some of them are quite unique and useful.
I for sure will drop by The Outer Layer whenever I am in the area!Listed in: Shopping! Shopping! Let's Go…, A Day in The Annex!
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Review from Rose S.
Toronto, ON
5/8/2011 1 photo
This store is a blast. They offer a disturbingly large selection of knick knacks, body products, one of a kind jewelry, gorgeous cards/stationary, organic and canadian made products.
Previous reviewers seem to take their sense of humor too personally. This store is no wall flower on Bloor West. It has an in-your-face personality that is unmatched by MANY novelty shops. The staff is always friendly and not too invasive. As a customer for years I've never been offended by the "rude" service. Heck, they gift wrap for free. This place isn't trying to bully you into buying expensive products, snuff, or dismiss you. If anything, it's clear that busy stores create anxious hyper-sensitive consumers.
In a nut-shell: they play eclectic music, offer complimentary gift wrap, and make so much fun out of shopping. Check out their chalk board and silly signs. Look at their particularly crass magnets and crude cards. Don't go here if you are easily offended or pretentious. It's a gift shop not holt renfrew. -
Review from Roanna Z.
10/17/2009
What a fun shop. Gag gifts, useful items with a twist. I bought a couple of "What would Suzuki do?" tee's.
-Love them!
They're really helpful in there too, they don't just ignore you until you arrive at the cash with your wallet out. yay. -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
5/5/2010
Although this store has some of the coolest stuff I have ever seen, and although I walked in saying "I want to buy it all!", it didn't take long for me to realize that everything in this store is completely overpriced.
A tube of hand cream for $18?!?!? A headband for $25?!?!? A container of candies for $10?!?!? I don't think so.
The concept is cool as is the merchandise, but the prices couldn't possibly be more off-putting. -
Review from Emily T.
Toronto, ON
1/1/2009
I love love love this store!
The Outer Layer is such a cute little shop, jam-packed with just about any kind of trinket or collectible you can imagine. Maybe it's just me, cause I have a thing for useless paperweights, but The Outer Layer is one of my favourite gift giving and personal reward shopping places in my neighbourhood.
Located in the Annex on Bloor between Spadina and Bathurst, amidst the many Inti-craft and artisan stores in that strip, The Outer Layer sells the perfect little thing for your best friend. I am a huge fan of their $5 change purses, all brightly coloured and decorated. They also sell hundreds of buttons, magnets, cards, jewelery, skin care products and unique gift ideas just to name a few.
This store has A LOT of STUFF. The stuff is EVERYWHERE, so don't go in with a huge bulky backpack like I did one time. It's very hard to maneuver through the tiny aisles this way.
At Christmas time, The Outer Layer had a great selection of unique and very beautiful cards. Although a little pricey, they are a nice touch for a special friend or for the family. They also sold hand crafted, one-of-a-kind tree ornaments and decorations which I know my mom loved!
At any time of year, The Outer Layer is a great place to find something a little unique for someone special. Or, if you're like me, a wonderful store to stock up on stationery, eclectic collectible items and a fun place to browse about with tea in hand. -
Review from Kim B.
ON
11/21/2008 8 photos
The Outer Layer sells all sorts of cards, gifts, skin and body care products that are sort of out of the ordinary.
They're definitely a company with a sense of humour (see my photos of their signs outside), which is a nice thing when you're looking for a funny little birthday gift for someone.
I also like the buttons they sell; loads of different kinds with vintage slogans and cute designs on them. I also dig how they sell almost the entire line of Burt's Bees products, however I wish they'd consider selling some other more eco-conscious products rather than things that just look "natural". -
Review from J H.
Toronto, ON
5/1/2011
this store has been in the annex for ages, although i believe it has moved once (could be wrong). there is now an additional store at queen and portland. my memories of the Outer Layer of days past is more favorable - lots of earthy soaps and bath products, back when health shoppes were fewer and further between. gifts and gift cards then, too, but a more edited selection. always great jazz playing.
i feel the newer incarnation is much more mainstream. many of the body product lines you can find at chain stores such as whole foods, indigo or even shopper's drug mart (burt's bees, thymes, rocky mountain, pacifica, cake beauty....). the novelty part seem heavily comprised of candles from the aforementioned brands plus never-ending masses of cards, magnets, pins etc from those artists who pair retro looking photos with "ironic" quotes. google Anne Taintor if you need an idea - she was the first to do this and now dozens of other artists have followed suit.
can't echo the sentiments about an asian clerk - i am familiar only with the male owner, who is super friendly
nothing here i haven't seen many times before, although if you haven't this may be a fun little stop.
