For anyone who has ever travelled to England, the influence of Topshop (www.topshop.com/) is almost immediately evident. The chain boasts a 90,000-square-foot retail space in London (think three of Vancouver’s downtown H&Ms—massive!), plus more than 300 additional locations across the United Kingdom.

The fast-fashion authority also has over 100 stores internationally, in countries such as Singapore, Chile, Denmark, and Croatia. But there are still none in Canada or the United States.

In recent months, though, the fashion industry has been atwitter with news that the British brand will be opening its first American outpost in Manhattan’s SoHo district, part of CEO Philip Green’s aggressive expansion campaign for the company. Set to take over where landmark skateboard and clothing store Yellow Rat Bastard once stood, the new store will boast four levels and 40,000 square feet of retail heaven.

Still, New York is a bit more than just a hop away (for most of us, anyway). So while we too are excited about the store’s ribbon-cutting this October, chances are we probably won’t make it down for the opening. Alas.

Local fashionistas know, however, that small smatterings of the Topshop line are available at Holt Renfrew (737 Dunsmuir Street), while fashionistos (the male equivalent, of course) can find a surprisingly large, well-edited selection of Topman (www.topman.com/), Topshop’s male counterpart, at Roden Gray (231 Cambie Street). Owners Rob Lo and Davie Fernandes have carried the brand exclusively in Canada since the spring and are anticipating their first fall arrivals any day now.

According to its own description, Roden Gray offers “avant-garde to mainstream styles for the modern man”, and, at first glance, Topman doesn’t fit in with the rest of the brands available at the Gastown boutique.

 Labels like Vancouver’s Wings + Horns (which boasts an international following), Nice Collective, Robert Geller (the V-neck tees and geek-chic glasses are amazing), and accessories brands such as Filson demonstrate an aesthetic that is seemingly more high-end and forward-thinking than Topman’s mainstream, cheap chic.

But Lo, who first discovered Topman in London, believes the brand’s casual separates are perfect for his fashionable clients.

Says Lo, “The price, quality, fit, and styling are the key elements of the Topman line, and most of our customers are always looking for these things when they are buying.” Lo himself can often be seen wearing Topman clothing, mixing it, high-low style, with pieces by high-end designers such as Raf Simons. In fact, when asked to pick his favourite pieces from the fall collection, he claims, “I like everything from the collection.”

For fall, the Topman design team appears influenced by a cool vibe that’s American vintage meets Canadian workwear. This translates into plenty of plaid button-up shirts (both short sleeve and long) worn over a baseball tee, and slim, low-slung dark denim.

Y-neck shirts (a modified Henley of sorts) are also available, while bomber jackets and more streamlined vests and waistcoats make an appearance. The whole collection exudes a cool, Brit-band grunge—just imagine a Babyshambles music video, starring, of course, Pete Doherty.

In true Topshop style, the collection is affordable, despite the fact that it is shipped to Roden Gray directly from the U.K. Tees cost $28, while woven tops and wool cardigans retail for $68. Trousers start at $98, and jackets (including waistcoats and blazers) range from $128 to $328.

Hey, that should help Vancouver’s fashionistos save up for a visit to the original store in London.