Colette’s Frocks

Colette’s Frocks is my favourite small neighbourhood clothing store. The store is small, so it is not the kind of store to go to expecting to complete a shopping mission in just one visit. However, it is a great store to pop in regularly for a chance to get a beautiful coat, dress or unique high-​end accessories. They get new things coming in regularly which makes the shopping experience exciting. The staff is very friendly and helpful, but never pressure you to purchase anything. I have found most of my office and party clothes there over the months and always get compliments on all my pieces from this store. I have not had as much luck trying to consign clothes there. They are extremely picky and none of my clothes were accepted. But again, I keep clothes for a long time without parting from them and most of the clothes in their store are either less than a year old or over 20 years old high-​end vintage pieces.

I had a really terrible experience here.
It started off wonderful when I made a purchase from one of the sales associates: Branwen (who was REALLY super lovely)– but, when it came to wanting to make an exchange with store owner and manager: Wendy– it was an absolute nightmare.
All I want to say, because it’s an incredibly long story, is that: I came in with honesty, sincerity, and kindness (which doesn’t always happen with dissatisfied customers, but coming from a retail/​customer service background, I wanted to be a gem of a customer and actually be NICE when I returned something.)
To which I was returned with a rude, condescending, and aggressive behaviour from the owner Wendy.
All I can advise to you, if you chose to shop here (which you REALLY shouldn’t, as you’re just putting your hard-​earned money into Wendy’s greedy pockets) make SURE to DOUBLE and TRIPLE check that the «code» of the item you’re purchasing, that will be HANDWRITTEN on your receipt, is correct.
In a nutshell, because of this archaic system, I’m now out of hard-​earned $$ and had a terrible experience.
I went to exchange my ONE and ONLY purchase I’ve ever made there… and Wendy wouldn’t accept it because the receipt was «wrong».
I had no other receipt.
I’ve only stepped foot in that shop once (well, twice if you include when I tried to exchange it).
And have only made ONE purchase– I ONLY HAVE ONE RECEIPT!
I have nothing else.
She said according to the code, I bought something COMPLETELY different.
I have NOTHING to combat her idiotic logic. She wasn’t even patient, or kind about it. Incredibly rude and sarcastic and I’m ashamed I ever gave her a single penny of mine, let alone let her toy with my emotions and belittle my intellect. She tried to make me feel stupid when it wasn’t warranted and I’ve honestly done NOTHING wrong.
Her employee made a mistake. And that’s it.
But to save a penny, she wouldn’t believe me, or even entertain the idea that an accident on a HANDWRITTEN RECEIPT SYSTEM could EVER happen.
There was a lot of her finger-​pointing (right in my face, mind you) and telling me that I’m the one making the mistake.
You’ve been warned– don’t shop here.
Seriously.

i bought a dress from them and next day i deside to return it because of it was not right dress for me and they didnt take it back and they told me store policie like that but they never told me anythink when i bought the dress or noting says on the recieved eigter.

In a pinch yesterday I popped into Colette’s hoping to find a dress for a fashion function I’d foolishly forgotten. While I struck out in that department, I did leave with a beautiful vintage clutch with a peacock feather beaded across the front. I got many compliments on it all night and it was a steal at only $ 35.
Wonderful mixture of feathered accessories, vintage shoes, dresses and skirts as well as cute, affordable new pieces that won’t run you the risk of accidentally matching your friends (an Aritzia-​esque hazard).
Plus: the lovely saleswoman heroically tried to zip me up into a little vintage (think Mad Men) frock. It couldn’t be done, but she tried and didn’t make me feel badly for not fitting into it.

Wow, I’m really sorry to hear about M.L.‘s experience at Colette’s. My experience has been more like Christine’s. I’ve been in a number of times and have really enjoyed their selection of new clothes and jewelry. Very cute and very reasonably priced. I haven’t been all that impressed with her consignment section and have stuck to the new stuff. I’ll reconsider shopping there, but would love to hear from other people about their experience with Colette’s before I give up on them.

Carrying a mix of old and new clothing, Colette’s is an ever-​changing shopping experience. It’s located on a relatively quiet block in Lower Lonsdale, but I’m always drawn in by the cute clothes on the sales rack outside when they’re open. Even when the store is closed, I love to peer in at their cute window displays — always a fun arrangement of those boxy purses with a bedazzled image of Audrey Hepburn, interspersed with shiny necklaces draped over scarves and shoes.
The store itself is small, but packed with the owner’s handpicked stock of consignment clothing. A quarter of the store is given over to new items. All along the walls, beneath the racks, are shoes, also on consignment. The women who work there love to dress up the customers, so if you have trouble finding what you like, let them guide you. They really love clothes, and shoes, and jewellery — and it shows.
I’ve been really happy with almost everything I’ve bought at Colette’s, and I’m 100% happy with the experiences I’ve had shopping here.