A few years ago I led a series of fashion tours with the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

The group would meet at Habit Coffee on Pandora Avenue on a Saturday afternoon and, depending on dynamics and interests, would get an insider's look at nearby boutiques on a walkabout. Sometimes the participants would request a tour tailored for seeking out name brands or super deals; others might ask to be introduced to local designers or sustainable fashions.

During that time, I developed a habit of reconnaissance with downtown boutiques. This week I hit the trails to pick out the best of what's coming for spring, discovering some exclusive Victoria gems in the process.

Men's: Best-kept boutique

Four Horsemen men's boutique might be tucked away in Market Square off Pandora Avenue. but it's a destination stop for fashion connoisseurs.

"I'd say most people who come in the store I know by name," manager Guy Ferguson tells me, describing his main customer as fashion "educated." Young professional and service industry men in their 20s and 30s are the prime clientele.

"Guys will come in and ask about one pair of jeans for an hour, how and where an item was manufactured, the history," he said. "They can spend a bit more on something special when they delve into it with a logical spin."

Four Horsemen has a reputation for exclusive, well-crafted brands and a clean-cut masculine esthetic, with an online following.

They have an in-house line, Four Horsemen Supplies, and have collaborated on custom Cowichan-style sweaters for the past few years, a Skookum varsity jacket and shoes with local legends Viberg Boot Company.

For spring, Ferguson said there will be a transition from heavy winter fabrics to lightweight twills, chambray and washed-out jeans. Tailored gabardine shorts, indigo blues, shirts worn as jackets and every pattern from New Mexican to polka dots will be in style — "A reaction to the plaid trend," Anderson says.

FASHION EVENTS

What: Fashion Ink

When: 8 p.m., Thursday

Where: Club 9ONE9, 919 Douglas St.

Tickets: $10/15 at the Strathcona Hotel, Ascension Studios and the Levi's Store

Why: This fashion show and party will introduce the contestants in the Miss Capital City Tattoo contest. The local tattoo shop has invited local designers and boutiques to display their wares as the models strut their ink. Partial proceeds benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

What: Inn Love, a high-style wedding event

When: 7 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St.

Tickets: $25, www.innlove.ca

Why: Even if you're not heading down the aisle soon, or have already, this high-end wedding show features some fabulous local fashions, food, flowers and photos. Plus, there's a fashion show (at 9 p.m.) with dresses from Oscar de la Renta's spring collection, Monique L'huillier, Lazaro, Manuel Mendoza and more.

Women's: Folksy

and floral

The folksy, salt-of-the earth vibe extends to women's styles this season, as well. While slim-fit khakis and cargo pants will be the wardrobe addition of the season, floral prints continue to be a staple. There are plenty of styles and shapes to choose from on Lower Johnson Street. Luckily, the florals have evolved to look more romantic than the '80s, and hemlines have lowered from tunic to mini-dress length. Suasion (562 Johnson St.) carries two beautiful lines, Heartloom and Charlie Jade, paired nicely with Minnetonka Moccasins.

Paradise Boutique (613 Johnson St.), which does well with feminine, earthy lines such as Free People, has amped it up with a new focus on lacy intimates, peaches and curve-friendly lines like Bodybag from Montreal.

Hairstyle trends are part of the whimsical look, with creative braids making a comeback. Hive Hair (714 Cormorant St.) owner/stylist Ila Meens offers some tips on today's braid styling.

"What's really in with any braid right now is the texture. The fuzzier and messier, the more pulled-apart the better — whether it be the milkmaid, a long fishtail or herringbone braid, a beautiful braided top, front bun or even just classic French braids. It's all in," Meens says.

Jeans

Raw denim is perhaps the most exclusive corner of the premium denim market (loosely defined as well-made jeans over $100). Having not been washed after the dye process, raw denim can wear according to a person's body and lifestyle. Aficionados like the personal touch of their jeans fading with the outline of their wallet, for example.

Nudie Jeans are the most-sought-after brand, for which the go-to spot in town is Still Life (551 Johnson St.). The boutique has pared down an array of high-end lines and styles to the one.

"Nudie is our core and we have a loyal clientele," says co-owner Kim Weber. The styles are slim-fit for men and women, somewhat unisex and come in an assortment of rises and washes. The most intriguing is a new black, waxy coated wash that resembles leather when new and fades to blue jeans as worn.

Kids

Mary Lucas, co-owner of Hip Baby (560 Johnson St.), admits the adorable clothes and toys in her storefront window are to draw people in, but her purpose is to educate on environmentally friendly parenting.

"Hip Baby is an eco-store," she explains. "Parenting choices make an impact on the environment."

They carry a house line of organic baby clothing, FIG from their sister store in Vancouver, the Scandinavian minimalist line Imps & Elfs, baby yoga pants, re-purposed tutus and more. But the main attraction is a selection of stylish cloth diapers.

"One baby can create thousands of pounds of poopy diapers that go to the landfill," Lucas says. "We encourage people to wash and reuse."

The store holds monthly workshops on using cloth diapers.

spetrescu@timescolonist.com