Where to round up wild western wear in Calgary

Of course Calgarians love to don our cowboy boots and clothing at Stampede time, but we’re free as the open range to dress for the west year round. These western wear shops located in the city and surrounding frontier towns carry pasture-perfect fashions but also cattle-drive-chic horse tack and serious saddlery for bona fide cowboys. Image credit: iStock.com/Avid Creative, Inc.

By Jillian Clark

More from Jillian Clark

Jill loves all things fun, fruity and yogi. She recently departed Montreal to try life in Calgary. Here she searches for the perfect balance between the hot room and “real life” and also between healthy living and her love of chocolate. Besides yoga and writing, her favourite activities include making new friends, drinking red wine with old ones, and force-feeding them her gluten-free recipes.

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Recycled reading: Used bookstores

For those of us who collect great reads, buying used books is a budget-friendly way to build a home library. Alternatively, most second-hand bookshops accept trade-ins for cash or credit. This list includes specialty used shops as well as shops offering textbook buybacks and second-hand stores that carry books. Image credit: iStock.com/Maxiphoto.

Where to find great leggings and tights

I’ve finally answered the gnawing question: Are leggings pants? Cool ones are – that’s for sure. They’re stretchy, comfy, and make your legs look oh-so-chic. A great pair of leggings will get you through years of workouts and mountain hikes, plus a few grocery runs in between. Here’s where you can find yours in Calgary. [Image credit: iStock.com/SrdjanPav]

Where to shop for cool school supplies

A blessed occasion for parents, back-to-school time brings mixed emotions for kids. As the carefree days of summer recede, the grim spectre of homework looms. Shopping for cool yet practical school supplies at these stores will help put everyone in the frame of mind for a happy return to academia. [Image credit: iStock.com/Brauns]