Shopping in Edmonton

Ukrainian Book Store has outfitted generations of Cyrillic connoisseurs with a plenitude of culture-celebrating literature, goods, and gifts since it opened its doors in 1914. The frigid drink guardians forged in the Babushka ice tray ($9.95) defend libations from heat-infusing hobgoblins, and insipid walls and defenseless wallflowers morph into party-ready room accessories when adorned with a vibrant Strolling Cat art print($40) crafted by local artist Iryna Karpenko. The authoritative Baba’s Cook Book ($16.95) guides fare makers through traditional dishes with grandmotherly grace and keeps chefs primed for defeating fellow beetsmiths in impromptu borscht-offs. Swathe T-shaped torsos in the Tryzub T-shirt, a similarly shaped top decorated with Ukraine’s national coat of arms ($24 for adult sizes; $20 for youth) that shields shoulders from piggy-backing hitchhikers. Feet with a hankering for rhythmic rug cutting delight in Ukrainian Book Store’s vast assortment of contemporary and traditional tunes, including Wild Energy, the latest offering from Ukraine’s reigning pop star, Ruslana ($26.98).

At Michael Anthony Jewellers, display cases teem with jewellery collections and one-of-a-kind pieces crafted by designers such as Peter Storm, Delatori, and Scott Kay. On-site gemologists lend their expertise, whether shoppers are contemplating rings inlaid with authentic Canadian diamonds or vintage estate watches by Rolex.

Executive Custom Tailors handcrafts suits from luxurious Italian fabrics, creating a silhouette that bespeaks both power and elegance. To personalize the fit without flying overseas, the company uses measurements taken by local tailors. Armed with a measuring rope, the tailors take 40 measurements and snap photos of each client’s build, stance, and shadow. They then send the order to the company’s overseas tailors, who lovingly stitch each made-to-measure suit, shirt, and tie from an often-updated catalogue of more than 500 fabrics.

Upon completion, the company swiftly ships garments to customers' mailboxes. And to ensure a smooth game of dress up, Executive Custom Tailors backs each item of menswear with a fit guarantee that covers up to $50 of necessary alterations. They also keep measurements on record in the event that customers want to place future orders for themselves or their long-lost, recently reunited twin brother.

Amedeo Exclusive keeps gentlemen looking dapper with an assortment of formalwear and business togs crafted from luxurious materials including silk, cashmere, and expertly milled cotton. Neckties adorn collars with over 110 brilliant colours with matching stainless steel tie clips and cufflinks, allowing customers to create meticulously coordinated outfits or proud displays of their old kindergarten's school colours. Elegant French cuffs ring the sleeves of tonal-stitched dress shirts, and skinny ties infuse ensembles with a youthful, contemporary flair. Bowties and pocket squares of Italian silk accent formal costumes with old-school class, as accessories such as bronze business-card holders cherry-top business outfits with an extra note of sophistication.

For more than 30 years, Night Owl Designer Lingerie has seductively cloaked a variety of corporeal curvatures in tailored intimate apparel from designers such as Prima Donna, Marie Jo, and Lise Charmel. Slinky sleepwear, loungewear–along with men's silk PJs and boxers–seduce skin from afar, wooing limbs into brief dressing-room affairs. The Antinéa Exactement Chic brassiere ($165) balances comfort and support, like a 1,000-thread-count bungee harness, by fashioning cup sizes from C to H with breathable materials. A pair of Prima Donna Menton panties ($75) chicly covers derrieres, and a Hanky Panky retro thong ($26) banishes visible panty lines without a written decree from the king. The boutique also specializes in bra fittings for sizes ranging from 30B to 42E, ensuring that unmentionables fit like a lacy second skin.