Harry Rosen

This is primarily a review of the shoe section, which I’ve checked out twice. In both cases the staff seemed a bit uninformed about makes, inventory, and care. I understand that, as it’s not really a shoe store, but just a few metres away in the clothing section a staff member was explaining to another customer that his shoes are bespoke and how he takes care of them. Why wasn’t that guy in the shoe section? (Also, why would you let your staff walk around in bespoke shoes, necessarily upstaging anything available in the store. Isn’t that a thing?)
They have some nice shoes there, but mostly lower range than I was expecting. Their shoe prices were about 15% higher than what I’d seen for the same models at the Bay 20 minutes before, so I wasn’t impressed there.
They had a lot of pretty socks, but no linen socks. They tried to explain to me that money from the socks goes to charity, but again, they had no linen socks. This city is like 5000 degrees, why is it so hard to dress myself 100% in linen?
They took my email address to add me to some sort of Harry Rosen club, and promised they’d write, but never have.

While it’s not too often I’m ready to spend a few hundred on a shirt, tie, and cufflinks… In the most recent situation of when I did, I walked out quite satisfied.
The salesman actually made good recommendations based on what I was looking for and when my opinion differed from his, he didn’t push but instead listened and went back to the drawing board and brought new items. He was also quite patient while I sent pictures to my wife to get her input when humming and hawwing between items,
If willing to drop some extra bucks, this seems like the place to be for high end menswear downtown.

When I was new to Toronto, and it was time to buy some nice loafers, I went here with a friend.
I had not yet found out about other more specialized retailers – this is a place where you can get almost everything you’d need. I think they even sell underwear.
I recall my salesperson making me feel welcomed – it can be an intimidating place on a first visit, especially when you do not have an over abundance of fashion sense or cash.
The measuring and trying on process went well and I left loving my black Italian loafers. I also bought a Huge Boss shirt. Bonus points for knowing what brand would work best for my skinny body.
The loafers no longer fit. Well, the one that covers my bigger foo doesn’t. Two stretches and still nothing but pain after wearing them. I can’t blame the store – they used to feel perfect. Still, maybe I bought too small a size. The shirt is fine.
Would I go back? Maybe. The service really is good. As a store it works but similar to Bay Bloor Radio, it is one of those higher end stores that work because men often do not know that better places exist, places that do not have the budget to market themselves and rely on word of mouth. There are places in the city where you can get custom made clothing; if you are a man, you should only ever buy off the rack if you are on a super tight budget or an incredibly poor planner. («I need a suit for a wedding. Tomorrow!»)
Rosen does do some level of custom, maybe even bespoke, but there are less expensive independent shops in town for this. Remember that any store in the Easton Centre has to pass off those high rents to you, the customer.
I think they sell high end casual clothing too; I would only use this store for the serious stuff.
A reviewer compared this store to Tip Top, Moore’s and Tom’s. Rosen is not even in the same class. The former are for clueless men or the poor man trying to look half way decent. Check the merch at Moore’s. 99% chance it was made in China and might not even have a natural fiber in it.

Even though this is a review for my Harry Rosen experience, I’m going to briefly list some of the bad experiences that I’ve had from Tip Top Tailors, Moore’s and Tom’s Place because these places need to be called out and inexperienced guys shopping for a suit need to know the draw backs of these places.
I bought my first suit at Tip Top Tailors when I was in university so that I could wear it to job interviews. I didn’t realize until years later how ridiculous I looked in it. The salesperson that sold me the suit didn’t take the proper markings to do the appropriate alterations. As a result, the sides were not fitted to my torso dimensions me a boxy look whenever I wore it. On top of this, they should provide the appropriate advice as to the color a suit should be for job interviews. I still can’t believe I wore an olive green suit.
I got my second suit at Tom’s Place in Kensington Market. The only thing I can say about these guys is that they have tricks to make you think you are getting a good deal, when in fact you are paying more then you should. Example, the suit that I bought was quoted at around $ 500. The salesman suggested that we try on some shirts and ties as well; but the kicker is these items do not have price tags so that they can tweak the overall price at the end in their favor. When you find a combination and go to checkout, the salesman will quickly give the cashier the price run down before you can inquire. The price of everything ended up being around $ 800. Not much of a deal.
The suit was a little better than the one I got from Tip Top Tailors, except that the suit jacket was slightly too long and the sides could have been taken in a bit more. The end result; the suit looked like it belonged to David Letterman. I was twenty six. This brings me to my next point. If you are fairly young guy and with a slim athletic build, this is place is not for you. The older sales people don’t know what is in style these days. They’ll sell you a suit your father should wear.
It’s the present day and I need a new suit. I decided to give Moore’s at the intersection of King St. and Yonge St. a chance. The salesman who was helping me was more interested in fitting me to the suit rather than fitting the suit to me. I explained that I my shoulders and chest fit a 42 slim cut but my waist was a 33. He said that he could not sell me a 42 jacket with alterations to a 34 pants because the 42 jacket has to be sold with 36 pants, and he couldn’t mismatch them for me. He proceeded to try and sell me various 40 slim fit jackets with 34 pants even though I was busting out at the chest, arms and shoulders. I decided to leave.

The salesman at Harry Rosen took the time to find the right suite for me. We went through at least 6 great looking suits with various shades and patterns before settling on one that fit best and with the right look. It ended up being a Hugo Boss, mid-​grey huge genius slim fit, size 42R for the jacket and 34 waist pants, with the appropriate alterations. He could have easily tried to sell me a higher priced suit but he was more concerned with getting it right, even if it meant a lower commission on the sale. He took the time to explain each criteria point for what would look good on me.
When it came time to do the markings and pins for the tailor, I was surprised by the number of pins that were used to take in the slides and lower back to get the fit just right. At no time in my prior experience at Tip Top Tailors or Tom’s Place, did they take the time to do it like this. He even explained that there were the choices of styles for pant length. No bend at the shins when the sleeve just touches the front of the shoe or a slight bend to allow it the sleeve to rest slightly on the shoe. We went with the slight bend. Future alterations are also free in case I develop a slight gut or lower back fat. Great.
In conclusion, if you are like me and you have gone through some bad experiences in buying suits and have spent hundreds of dollars in the process over the years, it may be well worth a trip to Harry Rosen to get it right once and for all. You may spend more there, but the service will be impeccable, the suite will fit you right and you will feel confident when you are wearing it. Conversely, if you have a body type that fits easily into any suit and you find a great looking suit for a mid-​range price at a place such as at Gotstyle, then go for it. They are also good at what they do. I’d recommend staying away from Moore’s. If you Google customer complaints about this place, you will find plenty. As for Tom’s Place, unless you are your father, I’d stay away from them too. They just don’t get it when it comes to younger men try to look sharp with the times. And if you are trying to achieve the naïve student, boxy looking suit– comedy effect, then go to Tip Top Tailors.

The new location within the Eaton Centre is absolutely beautiful. I believe it’s nearly double the size of their old store which allows for a much larger range of variety and styles.
It’s moot to review their selection of clothing they carry since everyone has different tastes, but what I can praise is their level of service — simply impeccable. Doesn’t matter if you walk in wearing a $ 5000 Tom Ford suit accessorized to the nines or waltz in like a hobo off the street with flip flops and a beater, someone will help you find what you’re looking for.
I guess as a man I’m not used to the people in retail stores actually knowing anything about fashion, let alone male fashion. At other stores sure they’ll help you find a size, but say you’re looking for that perfect combination outfit for that special event, they just don’t give a damn to go the extra mile.
Throughout the years, Michael, and most recently Karim and Mikheil have been my goto guys for higher end clothing. They figured out my tastes, how adventurous I was willing to dress and just ran with it. They were confident in their choices and what suited my style, personality and body type. Never have I felt they were trying to sell me something because it was more expensive, in fact the opposite has happened on a few occasions where they’d talk me out of the more expensive item because something else looked better.
They take their fashion seriously and do it because they love to dress well and see others do the same.
Perhaps this is what’s expected and what women are used to at higher end stores, but we men tend to just want to get in and and out (mmmm).
We’re worth getting pampered every once and a while no?

Not a bad Harry Rosen but personally I like the Bloor location much better as it has a much better selection. As mentioned in my other review if you know what styles you’re looking for then head down to Bloor St as they have a selection that is much larger than here.
However if you need some help with styling and fit then you definitely wan the better customer service from this Harry Rosen.
Guys, get at least one nice suit this life.
SUIT UP!!!

beth is the best, i go almost biweekly, selection is not the best but service is definitely there. of course their products are also superior

I wish that Unilocal would let me cross-​post an article that I would call «menswear in Toronto». It might spare the need to write about a few less-​than stellar establishments, while throwing my allegiance behind Harry Rosen at the Eaton Centre, and my main man Cosmo.
Today’s well-​dressed Torontonian Male has a wide range of options. This might be solid evidence that the recent recession hasn’t hurt us nearly as badly as it has our American cousins, or it could be testament to the fact that there’s simply fewer players available to outfit Bay Street.
Leaving aside new entrants like Brooks Brothers (which is still less expensive in Buffalo), and a number of independent tailor shops and niche places, all of which have their own dedicated followings, we are left with Harry Rosen; right now likely the biggest chain in high-​end Canadian menswear.
The Bloor location boasts five floors that will outfit you from top to bottom, at an array of price points. House brand Tilford suits are made by Samuelsohn, and the store carries an extensive selection in a range of cuts that suit most frames. Other stores boast more tightly-​edited collections, geared to the local clientele; more business/​weekend casual at First Canadian Place, more contemporary and relaxed in the Eaton Centre.
For selection, I’d go to Bloor, but that’s not what this is about.
Like many stereotypes, the one about men not liking to shop contains a tiny nugget of truth. We don’t like to be assaulted, or second guessed, or have sunshine blown up our orifices.
We want sure, competent, quiet help, like our dads when they taught us to shave or tie our ties, or like our group of friends when they warn us off that hot chick who’s just no good for us.
We are buoyed by options, but drowned by choice. Find us something you think will suit us, show us that you’re right, and we will never doubt you again, even if there is the occasional misstep in the relationship.
For this reason, I go to Cosmo at the Eaton Centre. He’s been doing this since he was a kid, and can tailor you a suit by himself. He is a clothes-​whisperer, able to wring a perfect fit by going a size up or down, tall or short, and applying his own brand of magic. If he likes you, he’s chatty. He won’t sell you junk. And even if the product costs a bit more, it’s worth it to know that you walk out of the store looking like much more than you paid.

I wish I could get the treatment we got at Harry Rosen in the Eaton Centre in most New York men’s stores. A very helpful, very friendly gentleman named Roman was available to make suggestions based on our preferences. He was not pushy or aggressive. He simply found things, offered honest feedback and made some really great suggestions. We took some but not all and that wasn’t a problem with him at all. He even arranged for our alterations to be rushed in time for us to pick up our purchases before leaving Canada. The rest of the staff was as accommodating as Roman and the quality of our clothing is superior. Customer service goes a long way with me and the folks at Harry Rosen in the Eaton Centre are as nice and as helpful as can be.