It’s no secret that vintage and resale fashion has been on the rise. More people are embracing secondhand fashion for various reasons, from sustainability to economics to aesthetics. Recently, resale went even more mainstream with the cameo of Vestiaire Collective in the new season of hit Netflix show, Emily in Paris! Mindy, Emily’s best friend, visited a Vestiaire Collective storefront in Paris to sell her Balmain couture blazer dress in order to make funds for her career endeavours.
Since style is a main focal point of the show, highlighting resale fashion, especially in the luxury space, will undoubtedly bring extra attention not only to the featured online retailer Vestiaire Collective – but also to secondhand shopping in its entirety!
“This partnership marks a significant milestone towards the integration of circular fashion into mainstream programs, and reflects the importance of the fashion resale market today,” says Fanny Moizant, co-founder and president of Vestiaire Collective.
In case you weren’t aware of Vestiaire Collective before the brand’s debut in Emily in Paris, it’s a pre-loved luxury and premium fashion hub with more than 35,000 items added every day online. And like Mindy, anyone can sell their authentic designer goods on the site. Emphasis on ‘authentic,’ as authenticity is guaranteed at Vestiaire Collective.
“Since day one, trust has been at the heart of everything we do. We’ve pioneered pre-loved fashion authentication, with guaranteed 360° buyer and seller protection policies, comprehensive quality control, and proactive customer care. Plus, we’ve built a Collective of trustworthy fashion lovers, so you can buy and sell with confidence.” – Vestiaire Collective.
In part of Vestiaire Collective’s collaboration with Emily in Paris, the platform has released a curated collection of designer items inspired by the fashion showcased in the show.
“Even before our feature on this new season, many of the outfits from previous episodes have been sourced on Vestiaire Collective, so when the opportunity to be featured on the show came up, we felt it was a great fit,” shared Samina Virk, US CEO of Vestiaire Collective.
Shop our picks from the edit:
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The next time you go shopping, rather than buying off the rack, browse around some of the top vintage stores in the city. Not only will you be able to score one-of-a kind items or a great deal, but you’re also staying away from purchasing fast fashion, which is awesome! Whether you’re looking for trendy denim, designer bags, or closet staples, these vintage stores have got you covered.
Take a look at the best vintage stores in Toronto below.
Public Butter
Address: 1290 Queen St West
This Parkdale gem is the store of the infamous Black Market Vintage and offers a broad variety of items at affordable prices. Public Butter carries both men’s and women’s clothing, including cute dresses, graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts, funky bottoms, and cool outerwear to keep you looking warm and stylish. Along with the vintage pieces you need to create your perfect wardrobe, the store also boasts a variety of new wallet-friendly accessories like hats and sunglasses.
Exile Vintage
Address: 60 Kensington Ave
Head on over to Exile Vintage for some really great finds! It’s been in business for over 40 years and offers stunning collections of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, plus all of the fan-favourites like Levi’s denim. There’s also an abundance of sweaters, coats, knits, tees, two-pieces, and more. Don’t forget to check out all of the Halloween costumes and accessories, it really is a one-stop shop.
Bungalow
Address: 273 Augusta Ave
Step into this super groovy spot. With over 3,000 sq. ft. of modern furniture, retro housewares, and vintage clothing and accessories, Bungalow is definitely one to keep on your shopping list. The front of the store has brand new items, and then once you make your way to the back of the store, this is where you’ll find all of the thrifted gems. Plus, the downstairs has even more chic furniture to browse that’s from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.
Lucky Tiger Vintage
Address: 1269 Bloor Street West & 687 Bloor Street West
Lucky Tiger Vintage is one of the newer standing vintage shops in Toronto, and it already has 2 locations to shop from! This shop is great at curating vintage pieces that are very much so in style today! Once you step into this shop, you’ll be greeted by tons of well-organized, curated finds within every category of fashion – at great prices. If you’ve yet to visit one of Lucky Tiger’s locations, you’re in for a treat!
House of Vintage
Address:1239 Queen St West
House of Vintage is a boutique clothing shop that specializes in one-of-a-kind vintage pieces for both men and women. Located in the heart of Parkdale, this vintage shop has a rustic vibe with old-fashioned pictures lining the walls. The shop offers a collection of gently used clothing including leather jackets, denim, cowboy boots, dresses, winter wear, and denim jackets. You’ll also find other non-clothing items such as frame art and area rugs. Not to mention, its fantastic selection of accessories such as belts, handbags, and jewellery. Each item of clothing at House of Vintage has been professionally cleaned and carefully hand restored.
VSP Consignment
Address: 1410 Dundas St W
At VSP Consignment, you’ll find some of the best pre-loved designer finds in the city! From vintage to current, VSP is a trusted consignment shop where designer lovers can both sell and shop. It carries brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes, and so many more – and the prices are always fairly marked!
Courage My Love
Address:14 Kensington Ave
If you’ve been to Kensington Market then you’ve probably already browsed around Courage My Love, without even realizing it. The store quickly became well known for not only its fabulous pieces of clothing but for the awesome prices as well. Courage My Love carries womenswear that comes from different decades and all over the world. With a majority of items coming from Mexico, the store also partners with various workshops in Mexico for a large selection of beads. Along with these wonderful finds, the talented staff also uses vintage fabric to create new pieces, like co-ord sets or cute dresses. The team also tie-dyes a bunch of pieces themselves!
I Miss You Vintage
Address: 63 Ossington Ave
I Miss You Vintage is one of those diamonds in the rough that will leave you speechless. Located on the Toronto Ossington strip, you’ll be drooling over the selection of vintage designer frocks and clothing including Yves. St Laurent, Christian Dior, and Cartier. Unlike many vintage stores, what also sets I Miss You apart is that the owner dry cleans and touches up all the pieces before they hit the floor.
Siberia Vintage
Address: 955 Bloor Street West
Siberia Vintage is a curated vintage shop full of quirky finds that will transport you to the past! The shop has a large assortment of vintage dresses amongst every other category of clothing you could ever want to shop for. If you’re looking for a bargain while shopping for one-of-a-kind, eclectic pieces, stop into Siberia Vintage next time you’re in the area!
Penny Arcade Vintage
Address:177 Dundas St West
Next time you’re on Dundas West make sure you stop at Penny Arcade Vintage to do a little digging. Penny Arcade is known for its wide variety of vintage pieces for both men and women that are carefully selected by the team and perfected before being sold by the in-house seamstress. You can find a range of apparel that includes shirts, pants, dresses, outerwear, and much more. Not to mention the fabulous selection of footwear, purses, and accessories. There is also a range of new, locally made goods in-store.
Boomie Vintage
Address: 1425 Bloor St West
While browsing through Boomie Vintage’s selection, you’re sure to find a vintage gem! The shop carries a variety of thoughtfully curated vintage items, as well as some cute trinkets! Give Boomie Vintage a visit the next time you’re in the area.
Black Market Underground
Address: 256 Queen St West
Situated downtown in the Queen West neighbourhood, Black Market Vintage is known for being a Toronto staple that’s beloved among the vintage community. You can find a range of apparel that includes vintage band tees, sweaters, coats, leather jackets, and boots, as well as every style of jeans you could think of, and so much more. If you are up to searching through racks of clothing, you’ll find lots of brand names like Levi’s, Champion, Adidas, and more. Torontonians are very familiar with this shop that’s known for its affordable prices and hidden gems.
Mama Loves You Vintage
Address: 541 Queen St West
Mama Loves You Vintage is a boutique that was born from a family’s love of vintage. Mama Loves You carries a range of women’s and men’s pieces that date back from the early 1900s to the 1990s, so no matter your style, you’re sure to find something you love here. Before items hit the racks, each item is washed, mended and steamed with care. From brightly printed blouses and dresses to band tees and denim shorts, there’s a huge variety to choose from.
Space Vintage
Address: 34 Kensington Ave & 319 Queen Street West
Space Vintage now has 2 locations in Toronto! Not only can you pop-in to shop its arrangement of carefully curated items from the mother-daughter duo – but you can even book styling sessions! If you have a special occasion and want to be dressed to the nines, Space Vintage is the place to go.
CHOSEN Vintage
Address:1599 Dundas Street West
CHOSEN is a women’s Toronto vintage clothing boutique that hand-selects gently loved clothing items that are relevant and affordable. At CHOSEN, you can discover bags, dresses, jackets, jumpsuits, pants, shoes, and skirts from a handful of different decades. You can shop garments in all of the categories online — our favourite is the CHOSEN vault which features a private collection of high-end converted designer pieces. These pieces are curated and deemed extra special by CHOSEN.
Fashionably Yours
Address: 709 Queen Street West
Fashionably Yours is a Toronto boutique that’s dedicated to carrying your favourite designers and ensuring all the pieces in their store are 100% authentic. The shop is focused on getting the trendiest and hippest luxury fashion to fashion-forward men and women looking to look bougie on a budget. Designer pieces vary in men’s and women’s, so everyone can enjoy the luxury styles they have in stock. The store carries designer clothing, as well as accessories such as jewellery, shoes, and bags. Carrying designers such as Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more, there is no shortage of luxury items.
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Although the current nice weather can’t be fully trusted until further notice, the past couple of weeks have provided lovely blue skies and temps in the positive (sprinkled in with snow here and there, but that’s beside the point). Spring is officially en route, and it has me craving a little wardrobe refresh! I always like to hit the thrift store before shopping for anything new because 1. I save money this way, 2. It’s the more sustainable option, and 3. It allows me to find “one-of-a-kind” items.
Thrifting is always hit and miss; you never know what you will (or won’t) find. For this thrift shopping trip, I was on a mission to find spring items that my wardrobe lacked, as well as keep an eye out for spring 2024 fashion trends.
Here’s how it went.
Is it really a spring thrift trip if you don’t pick up a vintage trench coat? The price on this one was a little steep (just over $40), but still more affordable than buying something similar new.
100% cashmere for $15? Yes, please. Although this Lord & Taylor cardigan doesn’t have much hanger appeal, it was an immediate grab the second I spotted it. It’s the perfect neutral colour and feels soft and lightweight, great for transitioning into the spring season. I can’t wait to style it draped over my shoulders.
When it comes to pleated skirts, American Apparel is the OG. So naturally, when I saw this red American Apparel pleated skirt, it went straight into my cart. It’s no secret that red is the colour of the moment, and pleated skirts are a major spring staple. It’s a win-win.
Again, the hanger appeal really isn’t there. But most thrift store change rooms still aren’t open (rolls eyes), so this will have to do for now. If a trench coat and a button-up shirt were to mix, it would be this shirt (which happens to be from COS)! As a huge fan of staple basics, it’s needless to say, this shirt was a must-have.
At first glance, this cardigan doesn’t scream “spring”; however, textured, 3D design elements are a major trend at the moment, so I’m going to make an exception. With a white flowy skirt or some cream-coloured jeans, it could totally be styled to wear in the spring.
One of my favourite labels to find while thrifting is Ralph Lauren. I love the brand, but it can be quite pricey at retail, so I resort to thrifting! Unfortunately, this skirt wasn’t my size. Still, I had to take a picture and show it anyway because it’s just so cute for spring.
In case you didn’t get the memo, large bags and totes are the bags of choice for this year. L.L. Bean’s Boat and Tote, in particular, remains to be a fan favourite. I was shocked when I saw one (in the colour of the season, nonetheless) at the thrift store!
Never leave the thrift before checking the leather section! You can’t go wrong with a leather jacket in the springtime and this style is so on-trend right now, too!
Conclusion:
Overall, I’d say this shopping trip for thrifting spring fashion was a success. However, I didn’t find many items in fresh spring colours that I’m longing to add to my wardrobe or any denim items, which I also had on my wish list. But that’s just how it goes! There’s always next time.
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Who doesn’t love the thrill of the hunt? From clothing and accessories to home decor, thrift shopping is your best friend when it comes to finding unique gems on a budget. If you’re not used to shopping in a store like Value Village, Goodwill, or Salvation Army, it can feel a tad daunting. There are endless isles of un-curated, un-merchandised items to sift through, and usually, a lot of misses before you get a hit. If you want to thrift like a pro, there are some tips, tricks, and secrets (shh) that you should know before the next time you shop!
Take a peek at these thrift-shopping secrets!
Attack The Rack
The phrase “attack the rack” is a tip shared by various thrift vloggers, meaning if you see a new rack come out – flock to it immediately. These are the newest items that have not been looked at by anyone else yet. So, if you can, before an employee puts the new items away, sift through them.
Go Early & During The Week
Weekends are usually quite busy at the thrift; therefore, it’s common for no new inventory to go out on a Saturday or Sunday. If you want to shop through the best assortment of items, going during the week, as close to open as possible, is your best bet. There’s a reason you’ll see regular thrift shoppers lined up outside before it opens, after all!
Make A Wish List
Making a wish list of the specific pieces you would like to find will make thrifting feel a lot less overwhelming. It will help you stay focused and know exactly what to keep your eye out for. Starting a Pinterest board specifically for thrifting inspiration can also be helpful!
Check All Sizes
While thrifting for clothes, ensure to browse through all sections and sizes so you don’t miss out on anything great! Things can often get moved around and end in the wrong section. It’s also worth noting that sizing can be all over the place for various reasons – including being shrunk in the wash, different stores having different size guides, and vintage often fitting smaller.
Donate
Most thrift stores will reward you for donating. You can usually get a percentage off on your next purchase after donating directly to the store during working hours (so an employee is present to give you a coupon).
Pay Attention To The Tag
At Value Village specifically, it has been said that each day, a different colour tag is used. Keep an eye out for “today’s” colour to easily shop the newest items! You can find this out by asking an employee or looking to see what colour tag is being used on the newest items being added to the floor.
Sign Up For Rewards + Emails
Just like any retail store, most thrift stores offer some kind of rewards program where you can score extra savings. There’s also usually an email newsletter to subscribe to, keeping you informed on all upcoming deals and promotions!
Know The Sale Dates
Score great thrift finds at an even better deal by shopping during sale events! As we mentioned, signing up for email newsletters is the best way to stay up to date on upcoming deals and promotions. Common sales you’ll see thrift stores participating in are putting specific categories on sale (like all jeans, for example) and having store-wide percentages off.
Inspect
Always triple-check what you’re eyeing to ensure there are no flaws and that it’s actually worth the listed price. In addition to checking for flaws, check the label, fibre contents, size, etc. If you find a flaw, a staff member may even be able to lower the price for you if you’re still interested.
Wash Everything
Here’s a secret that you should definitely know… Most thrift stores do not wash their inventory. So you’re going to want to wash whatever you buy before adding it to your closet!
Try On/ Keep Your Receipt
If you can, try on everything you want to buy at the thrift store before cashing out. All too often, people will buy something just because it’s cheap, not knowing if it will work for them and then end up just re-donating it in the end. Avoid this by trying on, or at the very least (with many thrift stores still not having change rooms post-COVID), keep your receipt so you can get store credit when possible.
Thrift Stores Are Different Than Vintage Stores
Vintage stores are great too, but not to be confused with a regular thrift store! Thrift stores are essentially full of items donated by the community, and vintage stores are carefully curated with a variety of sourcing methods (thrifting is just one of many). In short, vintage stores will be more expensive to shop at than thrift stores but have already done the work for you. Just something to keep in mind!
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There’s about to be a whole lot more places to thrift, as Goodwill is looking to expand in Canada with the opening of more than 40 stores within the next 5 years! Retail Insider reports.
The surge in popularity of thrifting has prompted Goodwill, the number one global brand in resale, to expand its operations in Canada.
“In the last decade I have seen a change and particularly since Covid as there has been more ethical shopping and people wanting to shop with conscience and because thrift enables reuse, recycle, and repurposing – they are obviously more ethical than fast fashion which is one of the world’s biggest polluters. We can reduce new and increase reuse and everybody knows it is better,” says Kelly Duffin, President and CEO of Goodwill, via Retail Insider.
As of now, Goodwill has three confirmed new locations in Ontario including Niagara Falls which will be opening next month, Waterloo which will open in May, and Burlington which an official date that has yet to be announced.
Within the next 5 years, Goodwill is looking to expand further into London, Cambridge, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, St. Catharines, Fort Erie, Dunnville, Welland, and Thorold. So for the near future, it looks like Toronto locals will have to travel a short distance if they want to add Goodwill to their thrift roster.
At Goodwill, customers can find a variety of unique products including clothing, jewellery, paintings, and other vintage items. Similarly to Value Village, another resale-giant, popular amongst Canadians.
Along with the store expansion, Goodwill is also aiming to open more than 75 new donation centres.
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Love heading over to your local Goodwill to score some fab finds? Now, you can do so without leaving your home with GoodwillFinds.
The recently launched online thrift shop has a ton of apparel for women, men, and kids, jewellery, electronics, home, books, and more!
According to The Associated Press, there are around 100,000 second-hand items on the GoodwillFinds site, which makes for a great shopping experience.
Browsing the racks at thrift stores is not only an excellent way to find one-of-a-kind pieces but also to minimize your own use of fast fashion.
But of course, you do have to have the time to head over to those stores to shop, so GoodwillFinds makes it totally accessible to everyone.
Before you make a purchase beware that you still have to pay shipping fees.
The site curates its inventory from donated goods at its physical storefronts across Canada.
As of right now, you can’t donate your items directly to GoodwillFinds, you have to bring your pile to Goodwill stores still. The company does plan to offer an online donation service in the future.
Will you be shopping at GoodwillFinds? If you have any questions, be sure to check out the FAQ page.
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If you’re looking to shop the latest trends, I always recommend trying the thrift first. Most clothing trends are directly pulled from the past, meaning someone else’s trash (or previous clothing donations), can now become your treasure! I decided to challenge myself with the goal of finding current 2022 fashion trends I’ve been loving during a trip to Value Village.
Before I hit the racks, I made a list of what exactly to keep my eye out for. I think it’s always a good idea to have a thrift wish-list, so you don’t accidentally miss something just because it wasn’t at the forefront of your mind. Making a list makes the process more intentional and less all over the place because we all know thrifting can be overwhelming. That being said, even though I had a general list, I always go in with an open mind for more. You never know what you may come across!
Some of the general trends and specific pieces I was looking out for at Value Village were: mini skirts, lingerie style clothing, vests, ballet core pieces, coastal grandmother clothing (linen, button-ups, etc), cargo bottoms, beaded bags, clogs, and silk scarves… you get the point. Of course, I didn’t find everything on my wish list, but I am pretty stoked with what I did end up finding!
Take a look at what I found while thrifting current fashion trends!
Shoulder Bags
I always check the purse section first. This time I had my eye out for beaded purses, shoulder bags, and canvas tote bags. I had no luck finding anything beaded, but the other two bags I found totally made up for it. Shoulder bags are definitely having a moment right now! Even when they aren’t specifically “trending”, you can never go wrong with a classic shoulder bag. I came across the one pictured above while searching the purse section at Value Village because I thought the shape was really cool. I turned it around to its front and saw the word “Gucci” stamped on the front of it! I have no doubt that it was a knock-off, but still, a pretty cool find nonetheless.
Tote Bags
The simplest bag trend is taking the world by storm. The classic tote bag. People are ditching structured work bags for relaxed canvas tote bags! They’re just so effortlessly cool. I’ve had my eye out for one at the thrift for a while and coincidentally this time, I found one! It’s branded with Sperry, which gives it that nautical vibe everyone seems to be loving right now, too.
Vests
I’ve been seeing tailored vests everywhere lately! It’s the perfect piece to bring you from summer to fall too, being that it can be worn buttoned-up as a top, or layered over a shirt. This is a clothing item you can almost always find at the thrift! Both in the men’s and women’s sections depending on the overall vibe you’re striving for. The one I found was from women’s, and I liked how it had a satin back, making it a little more relaxed and less stiff than a typical menswear tailored vest.
Lingerie Tops
Another thing I’ve been seeing literally everywhere is lingerie-style tops and corsets worn as going-out tops! Don’t skip out on the lingerie section at VV, there are tons of great finds! I found a pink tank with the prettiest feminine details, that I actually ended up purchasing for myself. I think it would be super cute paired with a simple pair of jeans! I also found more of a lingerie-style top, also in pink (another trend in itself #BarbieCore), that would make for such an adorable going-out-in-the-town top!
Mini Skirts
The thrift has many mini skirts to go around and in a large variety of styles! I checked two trends off my list with this cargo-style mini-skirt I found! It’s actually a skort which makes it even cooler in my humble opinion. This piece of clothing single-handedly fills all of my late-90s and early-2000s style dreams.
Coastal Grandmother
I can’t get enough of the “Coastal Grandmother” trend, made popular on TikTok by creator Lex Nicoleta, and the thrift is the absolute perfect place to shop for it! When I was looking for clothing within the coastal grandmother theme, I pictured any clothing I may see chic grandma at the beach or gardening in, elevated it by picturing said grandmother in The Hamptons. Linen, breezy pants, neutral colours, loose button-ups… you get the vibe. The pieces I found reminiscent of this trend were a pair of white linen loose-fitting pants with a waist-tie and a short-sleeved button-up shirt (which may have also come home with me).
Baby Tees
Baby Tees are something that has been popular for quite a while now and remains relevant today! They’re really not difficult at all to find at any thrift store! I found this cute pastel striped baby-tee with a lettuce hem in the Women’s Tee-Shirt section. It’s such an easy piece to style in a multitude of ways. Bonus Tip: Depending on your clothing size, you may even be able to get away with finding your perfect baby-tee in the kid’s section!
Heels
The last thing I looked at was shoes, and there were tons of cute and trendy shoe options! If you’re a little wary of getting shoes at the thrift I recommend trying out a shoe sanitizing spray and then you’re pretty much set. One of the shoe trends I was looking out for were clogs, as I’ve been seeing them styled more and more. Although I didn’t find actual clogs, I did find a style inspired by them. I also found an adorable pair of black heels with a toe-ring detail, which is super trendy right now!
The bottom line is, I would say this thrift trip exceeded my expectations! Even though I didn’t check everything off of my list, I was impressed with how many current trends I could actually find within the walls of my local Value Village. If you’re looking to test out some current fashion trends, I hope you feel inspired to try thrifting some for a sustainable, not to mention, affordable alternative!
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Thrifters unite! Value Village announced its opening of two downtown stores, but with a slight twist.
These shops aren’t the typical Value Villages that we’re used to, instead, they’ll be called Value Village Boutiques.
The alleged reason for these boutique stores is to allow the company to expand into smaller neighbourhoods and really cater to the people who live in them. This also means placing a larger focus and more detailed selection process for men’s and women’s apparel, footwear, and accessories.
A spokesperson has said to Curiosity that the pricing will still be consistent with what you would find at original Value Villages, but people on social media think that it will eventually become a pricier spot for the curated pieces.
Value Village Boutique will open the first location at 639 Queen Street West on July 7 and then the second will be located at 394 Bloor Street West, with an opening date still pending.
Send us a DM on Instagram if you’re excited about this new concept or if you don’t think it’ll be worth the hype.
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It’s hard to believe that 2019 is pretty much over. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the fresh start of 2020.
New Year’s Eve is the ultimate night to say goodbye to the previous year and celebrate the year ahead, which is why having the perfect outfit is just so important.
But if you’re like me, your New Year’s Eve outfit is likely one you only wear once — typically sprinkled with sparkle and sequins, it’s difficult to re-wear after the holidays are over. So why spend a fortune on a brand new outfit to wear just one time when you could thrift one?
I went to my local Value Village to see what I could find, and, of course, dodge the mall at this crazy time of year.
Here are the thrifted New Year’s Eve outfits that I found.
The first piece I found was this sparkly gold sequin mini skirt, which quite honestly screams New Year’s Eve.
This turtle-neck is also thrifted, admittedly at a different time. I always try and wear basics when I go thrifting so that I can mix and match easily!
For the second outfit, I had high hopes for this one-shoulder mini dress.
It had the perfect amount of gold detailing to make it New Year’s Eve appropriate, but it’s probably best suited for a more formal New Year’s Eve event. Sadly, it missed the mark for me. It wasn’t a great fit, which is the nature of thrifting.
Pro tip: If you find a style you love, but it doesn’t fit quite right, consider getting it tailored!
This crushed velvet slip-dress would be perfect for someone who loves ’90s nostalgia.
It would even look cute styled with a light-weight black turtleneck underneath to dress it down a bit, if needed. This dress wasn’t really my cup of tea, however, I could totally see someone rocking this dress! When you’re thrifting, there are so many different options, no matter your style.
Of course, I had to show a basic black dress, as it will never steer you wrong!
This dress could totally be dressed up to make New Year’s Eve worthy with some shimmery accessories, even a sparkly belt! Plus, the great thing about pieces like this is that you can re-wear it, and no one would ever notice.
The next outfit I found was a leather skirt and a red top with some shimmery detailing, which I actually folded to make into a crop top.
This look would be perfect for a New Year’s Eve party, or even New Year’s at a bar. If you already own a staple leather skirt, or even leather pants, thrifting for a cute party top is a great option!
To show the versatility of this thrifted leather skirt, I styled it with a few different tops to make different outfits.
Next up, I found this gem.
This time I paired the leather skirt with this super light-weight gold sequin top. This outfit would be great for a New Year’s Eve night out, and would look super cute paired with a leather jacket to add a little more edge.
The next outfit I put together is, again, the same skirt. But this time paired with a black sequin tee and a pair of black sparkley pumps.
I was clearly attempting to show off this outfit without falling over! This look would be suitable for any New Year’s Eve situation, as this shirt is a little more relaxed than the other two.
For the last outfit, I wanted to show, again, that mixing and matching staple pieces can change a whole outfit!
I simply just switched out the mini skirt for a pair of skinny jeans I found during my thrift trip. It completely transformed the outfit to be more casual; perfect for a more low-key New Year’s Eve while still being dressed up for the occasion.
Overall, this thrift trip for New Year’s Eve outfits went pretty well.
As I mentioned before, I think the best way to try and find a New Year’s Eve outfit at the thrift is incorporating a staple piece from your closet to match with, that way there is less pressure and it’s definitely more feasible!
I encourage you to try and thrift your New Year’s Eve outfit! Even if you can’t complete a whole outfit thrifting, try and find at least one piece of your look at the thrift, even if it’s just the accessories!
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I Tried Thrifting For Artizia Inspired Clothing — Here’s How It Went
I love Aritzia as much as the next girl. What’s not to love about its great and trendy clothing? However, the stores price point is what I’m not particularly fond of as Aritzia is more expensive than retailers like Zara, H&M, and other fast-fashion stores for a plethora of reasons, including quality. That doesn’t change the fact that shopping at Aritzia can hurt the wallet a bit. Thrifting has been a hobby of mine for a while now, I’m often shocked at what can be found at my local thrift store. With this in mind, I went to my local thrift store to go shopping for Aritzia inspired clothing.
Keep reading for how I did thrift store shopping for Aritzia Inspired clothing!
Thrift: $10 vs. Aritzia: $230
I found these grey New Balance 442’s at the thrift! While they aren’t the exact same as the grey New Balance 990 V5’s that Aritzia carries, they totally give off the same vibe with the neutral-grey tones. Finding shoes when thrifting can easily be a hit and miss situation and some stay away from footwear altogether. However, I couldn’t pass these babies up!
Thrift: $9 Vs. Aritzia: $88
Aritzia is known for its amazing selection of great knits, including turtle and mocknecks, all ranging in price. You know what else is great? So does the thrift store and it’s a great place to find great all sorts of quality knits! I found this white turtleneck and it reminded me of some of the sweaters that Aritzia carries like the similar Darling Sweater.
Thrift: $12 Vs. Aritzia: $168
Blazers are some of my favourite things to shop for at the thrift store and I admittedly have quite the thrifted blazers and suit collection. Searching through your local thrift store first is always a good idea when shopping for blazers, you can easily find some amazing quality, vintage blazers! This one’s silhouette really reminded me of blazers I’ve seen at Aritzia.
Thrift: $6 Vs. Aritzia: $110
Leopard print seems to be the top-trending print right now, and I was stoked when I found this satin leopard print skirt at Value Village! This thrifted skirt is a bit different than the leopard-print skirts sold at Aritzia, but I actually like that it’s a little different! That’s the beauty of thrifting, you’re unlikely to be caught wearing the same thing as everyone else, yet you can still be stylish and trendy all for a bargain.
Thrift: $7 Vs. Aritzia: $78
These dainty, and feminine cardigans are super in right now and I’m so here for it! The thrift store is full of cardigans like this one at Aritzia, in multiple different colours and I even ended up grabbing a black version. They totally give off ’90s vibes, so might as well grab one from the actual potential ’90s, right?
Thrift: $10 Vs. Aritzia: $198
I was super excited with how close of a match this cozy cardigan is to the Aritzia Cable Knit Cardigan! The colour is really the only major difference (shh, I actually prefer the green one). The shape, style, and even the pockets are a pretty close match!
Thrift: $5 Vs. Aritzia: $148
I have been trying to find the puffy-sleeve blouse that can be found at Aritzia, at the thrift for some time, admittedly it’s been difficult. This is the closest one I could find in my size and while it’s not bad, but it’s not great (in my opinion). It did kind of remind me of this blouse sold at Aritzia, due to the sleeves and neck detailing.
Thrift: $26 Vs. Aritzia: $698
Okay, so I think this was the thrift store find I was most excited about. This cool-girl leather trench coat is another piece giving off ’90s vibes (think Rachel Green). The ’90s and early 2000s fashion being back in style makes pieces like this not uncommon at the thrift store. This Babaton Floyd Leather Jacket retails at Aritzia for a hefty $698 and of course it’s made from real leather and is extremely luxurious looking/feeling.The one I found at my local thrift isn’t real leather but definitely has a similar vibe and aesthetic!
So, here’s the rundown of how thrifting Aritzia inspired items at the thrift went. Overall, I’m pleased with everything I found, I’m also shocked at how much inventory there was that reminded me of items you can buy Aritzia! However, keep in mind that I spent a good couple hours in Value Village that day so if you want a thrift store shopping trip to be successful, you need to be patient and open minded!