location: 103 Mount Royal Ouest
phone number: 514.844.7676
hours: Thurs & Fri 11am-9pm, all other days 11am-6pm
payment methods: cash, interac, Visa, Mastercard, Amex
directions: Go to Place-des-Arts metro station on the green line and take the 80 bus to Parc and Mount Royal and walk a couple blocks east, just before St.Laurent. You can also walk from the Mount Royal metro station on the orange line, but the it is further (though entertaining).

Take one step into Maskarad and you’ll feel as though you’ve just entered another era. Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee croon softly, sparkling chandeliers dangle overhead, elaborate rugs complement the dressing room’s long red velvet curtain, ornate gold-painted mirrors, and collectibles atop antique furniture. Every last fixture contributes to the retro atmosphere that makes the cozy, cluttered boutique one of a kind.

This Mount Royal merchant has a motto: “If it isn’t vintage, it has to have that classic look.” New clothing items, which occupy a handful of racks at the front of the store, are fresh takes on 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s originals. The shop places a variety of small orders with a range of fashion labels to create a charming, albeit pricey, mix of high quality duds. A sequined off-the-shoulder top by C’est Moi (a marque that’s particularly well-represented) will set you back $79, while a knee length woolly brown sweater is about $100. Little black dresses that wind their way around a stand shaped like a spiral staircase range from $89 to $185. Feminine blazers tend to hit $115 and a few pretty pairs of Chinese Laundry heels are yours for $95. It isn’t easy to escape with a tiny tab, but the styles are timeless and generally quite practical.

Beyond the newbies lies another snug space with an old-fashioned, homey feel. Dominated by vintage finds, this section is crammed with old tables, rotary phones, clocks, prints, luggage, and other trinkets. Everything is for sale. Used apparel blends in well with the décor, including lacy slips and flowing nighties, from $20 to $60. A nice assortment of fur coats and short-sleeved shrugs compete with party dresses for the spotlight.

The undeniable highlight of any Maskarad experience, though, is the store’s inimitable selection of jewellery. Each article is entirely distinctive and most are very reasonably priced. Necklaces, aged and more modern, begin at $20 and usually stop at $100, while stylish broaches go for $25. A group of tasteful earrings call it quits at $36, and a good number of the chunky bracelets don’t climb past $15. The amount of choice is simply overwhelming. My personal favourite? The exquisite cameo collection underneath the counter.

When it comes to unique accessories, that’s not all; flasks, picture frames, cigarette holders, umbrellas, modish hats, and tie clips abound. Clutchable vintage purses with cute little clasps, scarves, and elegant gloves peek out of vanity dresser drawers. Top all of this off with exceptionally friendly, knowledgeable staffers and a lovely owner - each of whom is always eager to help (or just chat for a few moments) - and you can’t go wrong.
Hillary Brenhouse