Over the Rainbow

I remember going here years ago and the ratio of jeans to other stuff was like ⁷⁰⁄₃₀. They used to have such a varied selection of jeans — I remember discovering Mavi’s here… waaay before they were in Jean Machine.
Now it’s more other items (namely winter parkas) and less jeans. Citizen of Humanity, Paige, etc. Honestly these can be found at the Bay downtown. They used to have more unique labels here but it doesn’t seem they carry them anymore.
Iconic store but it definitely needs a face lift. It looks like it got left behind in the 90s.

Not sure what everyone else is talking about. Yes the bag check policy is a bit annoying, but it’s not even that bad. You just leave it at the front. Staff always comes to help me. I tried on ten pairs of jeans today with help from staff for each one. Non sale items are pricy but probably half of the men’s section is 50 percent off. Only major complaint is that I suspect some of the sale items may be factory seconds. Bought a pair of citizens jeans and the stitching on the entire left leg is shifted several degrees clockwise! Other than that, it’s a good place. Don’t expect it to be Holt Renfrew.

Every yr I go back to this store for winter parkas and jackets. Unlike other stores, they really stack up a lot of big name winter parka brands products. This is the place where you can find your perfect size for whatever you are looking for, while everywhere else is sold out.
However! What is up with their staff? What’s up with their bad attitude??? I never had one pleasant experience at this place. Like NEVER! Every single time when I go to this place, they give either bad attitude or make me feel like you are potential thief (once I brought my mother to here for my father’s winter parka and I gotta say she was very upset at staff’s attitude towards to us). It definitely unpleasant and stopping me from looking at more stuffs to buy. Well other than their staff, it’s a cool place to buy winter parka, jacket and jeans. They also have cute accessories for fairly cheap price.

I went here to buy canada goose jacket for my husband. They have quite a good stock of canada goose and other jackets also, the staff assisting us was very helpful and was willing to show different varieties and brands. we also checked out other stuffs in the store luckily it was a sale so we got some winter accessories at low price.
The bad experience was with the cash counter where the staff made double billing for the same product and we couldn’t check the bill at the store itself so we had to go again to the store for the refund :(

Items are marked up too much. In fact, it was cheaper for me to order from Nordstrom and have it shipped from the U.S., including shipping and duties. That’s how ridiculous the pricing here is. While service seems to be not too pushy and the staff seems cool, some of the cuts here are too contemporary for me personally because of the super slim cuts that I’m not comfortable with. They do have an excellent collection of denim, if you don’t really care about the price, from Adriano Goldschmied to Nudie.

Expensive for what you get (they’re jeans after all), made me check my bags and the owner said «you have a choice to shop somewhere else if you don’t like the policy», and poor/​cluttered merchandising made this a poor choice today.
Basically, the place is a staple place to go for high end (ridiculously overpriced) denim. If that’s your thing, cool. You will find a reasonable selection.
The bag check policy really ticked me off… so please allow the rant.: don’t expect to be trusted by the owners. Like some shop owners who place «do not touch» signs all over their stores because someone once broke something… these people have decided to mildly insult everyone who walks in, because someone once stole something. So this 40 something guy had to hand over this bags. I did note that Holts did not make me check my bag.

Great selection of clothing, but I mainly come for the costume jewellery! Staff is meh! Only acknowledged when asked for help…

SUCH a big selection of the ever-​controversial Canada Goose jackets. I had an American friend in visiting me, and we saw them everywhere we went, so we decided to go have some fun and try them on — «fun» only because neither of us could ever spend that kind of money on a jacket you use for three months.
We were both dressed like we could never spend that kind of money, too, but the staff in the Canada Goose section didn’t make us feel at all out of place. They have a ton of sales people back there (maybe because of the vandalism to these type of jackets, maybe because so many people want to try them on?) and one really nice girl helped us for about 30 minutes, explaining the different styles, sizes, cold «levels», etc. I was wearing my winter jacket and we both had other packages with us, and she let us monopolize a change room so we didn’t have to be bulked down by it all. Very nice as well. I felt no pressure to buy.
That being said, we were really looking a niche item that doesn’t have a lot of flexibility in price, so I can’t comment on the rest of the store.

This store is the worst. When I first walked into OTR 7 years ago, I was appalled by the prices, mainly of their jeans. Some pairs were literally $ 100 more than I paid in Las Vegas.
The style of clothing they sell these days is just horrible. Mostly older, extremely tacky/​slutty styles that are not made of the quality craftsmanship and materials that they are priced at. You can get many of the same style and quality pieces at Forever 21. I have not found something I really wanted to wear in this store in years.
They are pretty overstaffed, every time I’ve gone in, there are many more employees than customers, all wandering around gossiping with each other, chatting on the phone and ignoring you unless it’s to demand your property be placed behind the counter as you must obviously be a low class thief to want to shop in a tacky place like this. If it was really so that the customer has a hands-​free shopping experience, you would make the policy OPTIONAL, and instruct employees to NOT pounce like cops on customers just entering the store.
This was not the policy the first times I came to the store. Invest in security tags, instead of alienating your customers by demanding they relinquish their property.
Then there are the witches behind the counter and on the floor with their snotty attitudes and their judgy eyeballs, looking you up and down before they deign to open their mouths and answer a question or assist you. The male employees are included in this ‘witch’ description, btw. Heinous behaviour from spoiled heinous young oxygen wasters.
I think the obnoxious shopgirls in the Chanel store are less rude than OTR employees. Also, Holt’s and Chanel is worth A LOT MORE, yet you don’t see them confiscating shopping bags from their customers.
I will continue to go to Holt’s for my jeans, they have a large selection, they also hem for free, and they do an excellent job. I just took a coat I purchased 3 years ago back for a mending and they didn’t even bother to look up to make sure I purchased it there, they just trusted me and mended it — for free, in under 2 hours.

Whatever happened to OTR of old?
This used to be the go-​to store for high end casual stuff… it’s now turned into a ghetto little corner of yorkville.
Some points:
1. Bag check policy? Seriously? The store isn’t in Malvern… this is Yorkville; how declassé? If you have an issue with theft, install a passive proximity alarm system, just like everyone else, or train your staff. Seriously, the comment about it being better for me to peruse goods because I’ve checked a bag… that’s a pretty thin excuse.
2. The staff do not help you unless you BEG for assistance. The last time I was there (two days ago), the ‘dudes’ at the back were socializing with one another, cussing and making fun of a previous customer «who had no idea what he wanted» well within earshot of me, and couldn’t have cared less that I was perusing jeans. I was completely ignored.
3. The store looks like a suburban discount clothing store… why hasn’t this place been renovated? When dropping 200 – 300 on a pair of jeans, unless I’m getting a discount of some kind, the store better be a nice place to shop. The store is so tired and run-​down.
4. Is this a Canada Goose warehouse? Please, a little variety would be pleasant and is expected at this price point. I can buy Canada Goose anywhere these days, and for less (now that the market is fully saturated).
5. When coming from TNT or even Holts, which sell much of the same clothing, why are your prices $ 20 more than MSRP? Why would anyone bother shopping here when prices are above MSRP? The staff is rude and indifferent, the store looks and feels tired, you have an insulting bag check policy, and your prices are higher… why?
Look, at a time when this was the only place to buy certain brands, it really made sense to shop here.
When you’re catering to a spendy clientele, who now have dozens of other better priced options, perhaps your retail outlet should reflect the money you’re trying to attract.
Avoid this place at all costs, unless you want a low end shopping experience, above MSRP prices (literally, do a quick comparison with TNT, Holts, Sporting Life, etc) and to be treated like crap.
Why do I keep stepping foot in here? Also, why are so many negative reviews of over the rainbow flagged? A little suspicious.
Terrible!

I went here expecting tons as I am a recent resident of the area and heard through word of mouth about the place.
The staff were very unhelpful and had an attitude problem when it came to helping people out. It’s like they could care less.
Furthermore, the policy of checking in your bags is ridiculous. I understand problems with theft, but I think it would be better if their employees were more alert to their shoppers. That way they wouldn’t have to be so suspicious of everyone who steps in the door.
In general, over priced, over staffed and over awkward.

Oh my Goodness. what is this place doing in Yorkville?
Panty hose, sock bins, LEG WARMERS… the local Foot Locker holds more distinction!
During a shopping trip, I decided to venture into the stores that I’ve never had any reason to visit, and upon entrance I was immediately greeted by the girl behind the cash counter.
When I say ‘greeted’ I mean being told to check my other shopping bags at their storefront. AM I WEARING A RIPPED JEANS & A HOODIE? [I was not]
The space is huge by Yorkville Standards, and it sold absolute trash. There is not a single thing anyone living within a quarter mile of here would wear. I didn’t think I’d be able to find a store tackier than American Apparel, but I did! I can’t even describe thing merchandise being sold here, I haven’t much clue what they were!
It looked like the «beauty» section of a gigantic drug store. It was very colourful too, in a bad way. Did I mention their store policy to prevent theft is treat every potential patron as one? Very UnYorkville! How dareeeee they!
I wandered about throughout the store trying to understand the retail space, but it was just too puzzling. I never seen such hideous accessories, or knitting. I looked at the price tags and was horrified to discover the things here were prices in dollars! A bum should be able to come in here and splurge to his heart’s content.
I continued to walk until I came to the far end of the store, and there stood the God Forsaken rack of Canada Goose Jackets. This was the crowning jewel of Over the Rainbow. I immediately turned for the door.
«My bags!» I demanded.
I stormed out of the space after receiving no offer of any service during my entire eight minutes here.
Over The Rainbow?
Yeah, you got to be at least that high to shop here!

Walked in here today during a shopping trip in Yorkville. Was stopped at the door by the cashier who asked me to leave my shopping bags with her. Thought I was mistaken, and asked her to clarify. She said I had to leave my shopping bags to look around. What ??
I walked right out. And brought my cash to another store. They were much more appreciative.
Bad service! if they have problems with theft (which is why I think they are asking customers to leave their bags), they should invest in better security system. Not insult their customers.
Not spending my money here.

I wrote the following review about six months ago, it was recently deleted by the business owner claiming that it ‘lacked first hand experience’. I’m re-​posting this as it is all true information that other Unilocalers are also posting, but I’m giving them less stars than I did in the first place for pulling a scammy move and having negative reviews deleted. I have been going to this store for 8 years and have consistently found the same outcome:
The staff is mostly Rosedale/​Forest Hill kids whose parents made them get a job, work for a few months, then bail. This makes for crappy customer service by girls who haven’t got their figures yet and don’t know/​understand how to deal with varying shapes and sizes of women.
Also, prices are super expensive. On everything, not just jeans. You’re better to go to Body Blue or Holts.

I remember Over the Rainbow being such a great store over 12 years ago, but how did they end up being like a second rate discount jean store which seems out of place in Yorkville?
It seems like they always have a sales on, but for some reason I always leave the store empty handed. Other than a couple of decent brands of jeans I didn’t find anything else there I really liked. Also most of their inventory feels downscaled and tired. The store was filled with tons of racks of clothes with little order and any attention to presentation or separations of brands. I didn’t have the patience to go through a rack of clothes like the sales section of the Bay.
Like many of the Unilocalers, I also noticed that they are way overstaffed, but didn’t offer a great level of service because of it.
What I found annoying that I had to check in my bags at the front door, even it is a small bag that could barely fit a pair of pants. That seemed both a little ghetto and feeling like they do not trust their customers. They should’ve invested in security tags on their inventory rather than having so much staff.
One time I was there as I was leaving and retrieving the bag that I checked in, the person who worked the door noticed the Uncle Otis bag and asked me what I bought. I thought that was a bit rude and an invasion of my privacy. I just told them I bought a pair of jeans there — oh the irony.

I strolled in here just before closing, hoping to find some nice over the knee boots. Sadly this was lacking, but ended up walking out with a read acrylic circle scarf ($ 20) and fleece lined fingerless mittens with cover ($ 25)
I love the styles and the clothes here, but I just cannot justify the $ 150 price tag for a off the shoulder t-​shirt, or $ 250 for a sweater. But maybe I’m just not their target market.
VERY difficult to not want to buy something here, so be cautious.
The staff here seem very friendly and we had light conversation.

I’m not a fancy person. But at a time when I was looking for a rare-​ish brand of clothing and a very specific item this place knocked it out of the park. I would never go here to get everyday clothing. but if there is a specific item you need — they have an excellent selection.
What I was most impressed with was the customer service. they didn’t over-​sell items and were sensible and not trying to oversell trendy colours/​styles.
I had such a good time with the staff here– we spend a good 30 minutes bantering back and forth. Nice people here.

This store is wayyyyyyyy overstaffed.
The store could easily cut their staff in half and still be over staffed.
One time me and co. were the only customers in there and there were 6 stupid kids «working» all in the back corner, and guess what they were doing… TALKING!
1 girl was nice and said hi, the other 6 acted as if we were inconveniencing them.
The store use to be one of the coolest stores in Toronto, now the guy section is nothing but piles of Ed Hardy. Is it still 2005? I think not.

Over the Rainbow is the only place I will go to buy jeans. I swear. I was in Boston this fall where they have no tax — I repeat, NO TAX, on clothing — and I went to the True Religion store and couldn’t find the heart to shop. All I could think was, «Where is my own personal shopper who will find all the possible jeans I could ever try on?» No can do, Boston. I gotta get my jeans at Over the Rainbow.
Yes, these jeans are expensive, but they’re expensive everywhere. Here, the selection is the best I’ve ever seen, and they take care of you. I have never been treated poorly here, as other people mention. I am always happy with my purchases. They do a good job with alterations, and fairly quickly, I might add.
I just wish we could transport the Boston no tax on clothing policy to Toronto and life would be complete.Sigh.

Yes, it’s pretentious. It’s Yorkville! I say dust off (and maybe polish up) the old suit of armour and get ready to fend off some serious snobbery — all in the name of jeans (I personally can’t think of a better cause)!
Seriously, if you need new denim, head to the Rainbow, which is more like a house of blues considering its stacks upon stacks of jeans, glorious jeans, in every shade imaginable, from powder to periwinkle. Pllus, enough designer labels to satisfy pretty much anyone who likes to rock their fave designer on their ass (read: me).
I’ll even drop some names to satiate all you logo hounds until you can go to Over the Rainbow yourself: Nudie Jeans Co., Naked & Famous, James Perse, J Brand, Cheap Monday and Blank.
The staff knows its stuff — perfect fitters. And alterations, if needed, are fast and free.