If you live close to Eglinton West, you're luckier than I--Sense of Independence is without a doubt my favourite clothing store on the strip. It's owned by the ever-friendly Shamash sisters, who are exceedingly talented at finding great clothes that I haven't seen anywhere else in the city. I've wanted a new hoodie for ages and I tell you, there was not one thing that caught my eye downtown for months. I finally made it up to Eglinton on Saturday to find x-amounts of casual but attractive zip-ups. Joy! I fell in love with a supersoft teal blue number by San Diego's Scrapbook, pre-washed, pre-shrunk, made in the USA and subtly printed with twining vines and skulls. It's the coziest thing and I haven't taken it off yet. California lines are all about skulls right now, I guess it's that Latino gangster thing (or that's what the New York TImes told me)--there was another beauty of a sweater, a soft, thin grey number by Miss Me that had not just skulls and rhinestones, but gothic lettering too. You can also pick up gear by Industry, Kitchen Orange and Gentle Fawn, wonderful jackets by Soia & Kyo and all sorts of accessories, from big-buckled belts to a fat apple pendant necklace that I totally should have snagged. If you grab it first, don't tell me about it.

Sense of Independence
511 Eglinton Avenue West
416-481-8242