XO Bella

Essentially, the college version of their sister store, Hollywood Boutique, in Yaletown. Lower prices, but pretty much the same aesthetic. Since it’s run by the same ladies, their selections can be somewhat random at times when they’re selling mesh and sequinned party dresses and giant faux fur jackets next to plaid shirts and beanies. You’ll find really edgy, cheeky, flirty pieces alongside your tanks with pretentious slogans, and basic denim and knits. Oh, and tons of overpriced Wildfox. Anyway, I like how the interior reflects the Kits neighbourhood, i.e. the fun beach-​themed changing area, spacious changing rooms (that hashtag on the mirror in the corner stall is my fave excuse for gratuitous Snaps + selfies), and that the staff are actually approachable human beings (most will generally leave you alone to browse, others are definitely bigger personalities) instead of the robotic snobs ringing the registers at their other shops. Their IG account is updated almost on a daily basis so I keep an eye out for any interesting, new arrivals hitting the racks and ignore the rest of their Tumblr-​ripped posts about fake tattoos at festivals and puppies.

This boutique on 4^th is run by the same owners behind Hollywood Boutique in Yaletown. Besides the selling the same labels, you can generally tell by the hastily scrawled price tags and the pathetic customer service. Being just a few bus stops away from UBC, this boutique caters more to the young, Kylie Jenner-​esque college girls that their stock and prices reflect.

So let’s start off by saying this is one of the coolest boutiques on 4^th ave. they carry the most awesomest clothes from cute to sexy. So different from the boring vancity norm. I absolutely love shopping here. I’ve bought countless items from here and will continue you to do so. The price point ranges from super cheap to middle of the road pricey. It’s a big range but again all so adorable stuff.
So why the 2 stars after raving so much about this awesome store? The owner/​manager. Yes. Her. I come in here often and the lovely sales girls are awesome and always honest about opinions on outfits esp this one particular girl (gorgeous long ombré hair, super cute and stylish) well that describes them all. Haha. Anyways back to the owner. She has been there on maybe 3 of my 25 visits but let’s just say she’s rude, not pleasant, always seems stressed which in turn makes it uncomfortable for the shoppers. We can sense her bad vibes. I would expect the owner of all people would be a little friendlier esp to a loyal client like me.
So yah. Maybe either change the snotty attitude and then come to work or stay home and leave to the employees cuz they seriously rock.

What a fun shop. The girl working was super awesome and gave me her honest opinion on how the beanie looked on me (I was sure I looked like a child, but she set me straight).
The vibe and feel of both the store itself and the merchandise reminds me a lot of Brandy Melville — which isn’t a bad thing at all.
I think XO Bella has a bit more of a street style with a lot of extra things to browse than the Brandy stores do, but either way love them both.
The store is split level and has plenty of dressing rooms and a HUGE mirror to try on your finds with your friends and maybe even put on an impromptu fashion show, I mean who knows, it’s only as awkward as you make it, and the girls who were doing it appeared to be having a great time.
My favorite trinket that I found was a little gold bracelet for $ 10 that said ‘yolo’ in cursive, obviously I had to have it because I’m all about that YOLO lifestyle. #comeatmebro.