Back to school.
It can be the three most dreadful words put together in the English language for some teens and kids.
And yet, when you add “shopping” onto the end of that, or if you take it even further with, “back-to-school shopping at Polo Park,” it can turn into seven of the sweetest words around.
When it comes to shopping in Central Canada, CF Polo Park is simply a cut above, with the past several years seeing an eye-catching amount of stores joining its already incredible roster.
In 2014-2015, Winnipeggers were lining up to get into new stores like Anthropologie, H&M, Nine West, Michael Kors, Coach, Urban Outfitters, Disney, and LEGO. It was all part of a $49 million remodel, which brought in 23 new stores.
photo by William Au
This season, they’ve gone even further with the swish new addition of Topshop and Topman in their Hudson’s Bay store — which just opened on August 19, while Denmark clothing giant Bestseller is slated to open up four new shops soon in CF Polo Park (which makes it the only spot outside of Quebec in Canada to house the European designs) that includes Vero Moda and Only — both of which provide women’s fashions, and Jack & Jones and Premium by Jack & Jones on the men’s side of things.
It’s safe to say that the shopping has never been better. So let’s discuss the latest fashions shall we:
As your teen girls will tell you, jumpsuits are where it is at right now, and CF Polo Park is the place to be for these with Aritzia, Topshop, Banana Republic, BGMAXAZRIA, Cleo and so many other women’s apparel stores. Perhaps the best thing for fall is the tunic/leggings combo found at stores like Forever 21, H&M, Le Chateau and Lucky — to name just a few.
You have little kiddies in tow, look no further than Gymboree, Gap Kids, and The Children’s Place, for some of the most adorable kids clothes you’ve ever seen — just don’t say they look “adorable.” I’d go with “fresh” #hipmom. While for accessories you should go to Icing by Claire’s and Ardene, because we all need a sparkly belt this season.
photo by William Au
If you are shopping with your little dudes, be sure to check out West 49, Billabong, Champs, Foot Locker Kids, and Sportcheck, while Skechers always has it going on for guys and girls shoes. For new backpacks there are so many options, with Spareparts having a notable selection from Herschel and Matt & Nat that are almost too cool for school (but please don’t share that phrase with your kids).
Seriously, when it comes to kid, teen, and adult fashions — because lord knows you are not going to be able to go into Dynamite and Garage, Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters and not pick up something fresh for fall for yourself — the selection at CF Polo Park is simply cannot be matched.
Guys have it made in CF Polo Park too. My husband picked up a handsome new work bag at Fossil on our last visit (he said everyone at the office is so jealous over it), while he always finds stylish attire at stores like RW & Co., Banana Republic and Harry Rosen. And I kid you not, he’s also recently been buying his work pants at lululemon; they have these abc pants that he tells me are the most comfortable pants ever.
photo by William Au
And I haven’t even mentioned what a nice environment it is to shop in. The whole mall is bright and spacious, allowing you to spend hours on end (which I’ve often done when my gal pals come to town to do some shopping) without feeling like you’ve been shut indoors all day.
As my husband points out, the furniture throughout the mall is plush, so when he (and all the other husbands out there) get a little tired of following us shopaholics around, he can find a comfy perch to do some people watching. Plus, there is the added option too of getting a beer and perhaps watching the game at Earls, Joey or Moxies, if the shopping goes on longer than you fellas can endure.
photo by William Au
Now get this, because we have something really special lined up with CF Polo Park for one lucky shopper this back-to-school season.
If you share and like this post on Facebook, you will be eligible to win a $500 CF SHOP! card – yes, that’s $500 – and you can use it at just about any store in CF Polo Park! (Be sure to tag @Visit Winnipeg in the post so we know you’ve shared.)
We’ll draw the winner on Thursday, September 1st — which will give you the best long weekend ever for back-to-school shopping.
