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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We’ve had our first snowfall here in Toronto, which means it’s about that time of year when our outfits get pretty much entirely covered by coats. Which has its pros and cons. Con: No matter how cute your outfit is, you better find a way to incorporate a coat or freeze. Pro: A coat can single-handedly carry the weight of your outfit. As much as I dislike the cold, I’m a huge fan of styling cute coats and have accumulated quite a few at the thrift store over the years. Living in a place like Toronto, it’s great to have a few go-to’s to get through the winter!
Coats can get to be pretty expensive, even from fast-fashion stores you can almost always expect to pay at least around $100. Which is one of the many reasons I always try the thrift store first. Now that the cold weather is officially upon us, I decided to go on a coat hunt at my local Value Village to see what I could find, and what you could find, too!
Keep reading to see What coats I found at my local Value Village!
The first coat – or jacket if you will – I came across was by London Fog. It’s made of water-proof material and actually feels quite heavy. Which equals a little more warmth! My favourite part about this jacket is its unique snap closures. I ended up adding this one to my own collection, but don’t worry the rest I left in the store ready to be found.
Next, I found this super chic navy-blue trench coat! It reminds me of something that one of the royals might wear if it were a tad more tailored. But I actually prefer the loose, boxy fit. I also love the contrast piping it features throughout.
In case you haven’t heard, The Matrix is in. Which is exactly what this black leather trench is serving! All it needs is a pair of opaque sunglasses and it’s a whole look. I love finding my leather pieces at the thrift store, it’s guilt-free and a lot more affordable than buying them new. This one definitely needs to be de-wrinkled but is still so cool.
It doesn’t get much cozier than this coat! I felt its softness as I was going through the racks and had to try it on. I think this one could be styled with a high-glam outfit easily, thanks to its lux texture!
Everyone needs a puffer coat to get them through the winter – especially in Toronto! This one was extra-puffy and had a nice subtle shine finish to it, adding some extra interest to an otherwise simple black puffer.
Last but not least. An honourable mention from thrifts past. This is my all-time favourite thrift find ever. It’s a Max Mara coat that I found at a Value Village last year. If you aren’t familiar with Max Mara, it’s a high-end brand, especially known for its luxury coats. They can cost upwards of a thousand dollars and I paid just under $30 for mine.
Before making a splurge, try thrifting for cute coats first! You may just find your holy grail.
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Fall Fashion Trends To Have On Your Radar
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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The nature of thrifting is always hit or miss, however where you’re thrifting can totally affect your success rate. If you’re someone who’s new to the world of thrifting, it can be challenging to find your favourite locations, especially when it comes to Value Village. As you get comfortable with thrifting, you’ll soon find your go-to spots where you seem to have the most luck. Some locations are more organized than others, and some are just over-crowded, and seem to always be picked over. There are pros and cons of a quiet Value Village just as much as a busy one — it’s all about preference, but we’re here to help you experiment to help you find your top spots. We know that thrifting at Value Village requires some patience, but opting to shop there over chain stores or even curated thrift stores will definitely help you save.
Here are the best Value Village locations to shop at in the GTA.
70 Bristol Rd E, Mississauga
This Mississauga Value Village is a huge location with a great selection. It’s one of the more organized Value Village’s which always makes it easier to sift through the racks, especially if you’re a thrifting newbie!
2030 Appleby Line, Burlington
This Value Village is located in Burlington, about an hour away from Toronto and it’s known to be super clean and organized! It’s also rarely busy, which is always nice. It has a great selection of various types of clothing, so regardless of your style, there’s something at this Value Village for everybody.
1525 Victoria Park Ave
This Scarborough Value Village is a favourite for many. It’s known to have a great selection of name brands and high-end finds but obviously, there are no guarantees when it comes to thrifting. However, a lot of people have had a good record of success at this location, plus, it’s one of Value Village’s larger locations, so there’s more to go around.
10620 Yonge St, Richmond Hill
This gem of a Value Village is located in Richmond Hill and has a large selection with tons of variety across all genres — not just limited to apparel. This spot is also known to be very clean and tidy, which seems to be a running trend in the best Value Villages!
50 Horseshoe Crescent, Hamilton
This GTA Value Village is a little bit off to the sides in the suburbs, which is a general thrifting life hack! Some of the best Value Village locations are hidden in smaller cities, or hidden in the suburbs because in general, they are picked over less. Let’s face it, thrifting isn’t a secret anymore and people are quick to grab the good finds, so sometimes searching through a lesser-known Value Village is worth it!
924 Queen St E, Toronto
Although this location is on the smaller side, that doesn’t mean you can’t score. This VV tends to be busier, but that just means it’s constantly rotating inventory. Another great thing about this one is that it’s in such a prime area of the city, which means people are constantly donating here. This location has a great jewelry selection in particular, which is a great tip for those of you looking to build your jewelry collection! Value Village is a great way to get more with your budget. Pro tip: there are often quality pieces behind the glass at the front.
1319 Bloor St W, Toronto
This Toronto Value Village located on Bloor Street West has a great reputation for its great selection! While this location is on the busier side, folks say there’s a quick turnaround with clothing constantly coming out on the floor as fast as it leaves. So, if you don’t mind a little competition from savvy thrifters, check out this Value Village location!
45 Woodbine Downs Blvd, Toronto
This Value Village is located in the Etobicoke area and is another one totally worth checking out. People say the prices at this location are on point as well and there’s also a great selection — what more could you want in a thrift store? This location also has a ton of inventory and is quite organized for the amount of inventory, as well.
530 Fennell Ave E, Hamilton
This Hamilton Value Village is a large location with tons to go around! Every department at this VV is almost always fully stocked, so if you’re looking to go on a bit of a shopping spree this one may be worth checking out.
1030 Wilson Ave, North York
This GTA Value Village in North York is a VV location with a huge selection, and it’s not limited to just clothing! Always remember Value Village also carries books, movies, video games, furniture, and more. This spot is super spacious which always makes it easier to sift through and spot those rare thrift finds we are all keeping an eye out for.
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As much as I enjoy wearing classic styles that I can get away with time and time again, I still like to play around with trendy pieces and incorporate them into my wardrobe. Even though we’re only two months into 2020, there are already so many fun trends that I keep seeing on social media, blogs, the runway, and of course on the street. However, a huge concern that comes with staying up to date with fashion trends is sustainability.
Trends always come and go and it may be easy to grab the latest trends at fast-fashion retailers, but it isn’t necessarily the ethical and sustainable route.
This is especially true if the trend dies out quickly — which happens more often than not. A way to avoid the guilt from shopping more experimental and trendy pieces is to thrift them. By thrifting you’re giving a garment a second chance at life and not contributing to mass production. Plus, by opting to thrift for trendier pieces, you’ll save a ton of money while experimenting with cool styles and trends.
I went to my local Value Village with a list of 2020 fashion trends that I’ve been eyeing, and while I didn’t come across every trend I had on my list, which is something to always keep in mind while thrifting, I ended up finding some great finds — I admittedly ended up purchasing a good chunk of the goodies I found!
Keep reading to check out some of my favourite 2020 fashion trends that I found at the thrift store!
A Baby Tee:
Baby tees are a huge trend for 2020, especially when spring time rolls around. A baby tee is basically a t-shirt with a smaller fit. I love the baby tee trend because I’m someone who always gravitates to the oversized style, so it’s nice to try something different and is a little more feminine. I found this tee that says “France” on it, and I love that the red that adds an extra pop of colour. I styled it with a pair of jeans (the same jeans styled through-out this thrift trip) that I found at Value Village last time I went thrifting!
Polka Dots:
Again, sticking with the baby tee trend, now incorporating polka dots! Polka dots are currently a huge trend that I’m seeing everywhere I look, so I was definitely on the hunt for some dots. Polka dots are always coming in and out of style, so the chance of finding this trend at the thrift store is pretty high, so keep your eyes peeled. A bonus-trend in this look is this adorable pastel tiny bag!
Pastels:
Speaking of pastels, they are another big trend for spring 2020, and it’s such a nice way to brighten up your wardrobe post-winter time. I found this pastel blue blazer, which I was super stoked about since, if you ask me, blazers are always in.
The Power Suit:
Power dressing is probably one of my favourite 2020 fashion trends and I seriously can’t get enough of it. I have accumulated a collection of suiting solely from thrifting, and I strongly encourage you to hunt for this trend at the thrift store if you love this trend as much as I do! Most suits I’ve seen at Value Village retail for around $20 and are two-piece sets which make it a huge steal when you think about it! This specific suiting set I found I was especially excited for because it’s double breasted and in a neutral colour making it extra stylish and super up my alley.
Granny Knits:
Granny knits have been a huge upcoming trend seen on the runways and street styles for 2020, and it’s such an easy thing to find vintage and thrifting! I found this cute button-up cardigan that’s knit and features adorable embroidery. This would be such an easy piece to style either half tucked, unbuttoned, or simply worn loosely buttoned up, and it gives such grandma-chic vibes.
Leather:
Leather! Leather is taking over the fashion scene, and even more-so, vintage leather. Designers and brands have been coming out with a lot of vintage-style leathers, so there’s really no point buying them when you can easily find lookalikes at a fraction of the cost at good ol’ Value Village. For me, I personally try and stray away from purchasing leathers and furs new, so I love finding a good find like this one – a leather blazer-style jacket and I actually ended up buying it! I wanted to find a pair of leather pants because head-to-toe leather is such a trendy look right now, but I had no luck. This Danier leather jacket was $29.99, which I originally thought was kind of steep, but when I actually thought about it a jacket like this new would retail for so much more! Pro tip: Value Village stores usually have lots of Danier leather to go around.
Oversized Trench Coat:
Another one of my favourite trends for 2020 is a classic trench. I continue to see trench coats styled time and time again on Instagram and during fashion week. I found this winterized oversized trench, that was such a fashionable and still-relevant silhouette, and it costs only $20, which is extremely fair!
The Disco Collar:
I’m loving the disco collar trend right now! A disco collar is basically a wider, more dramatized collar, typically on a button up. This is another item I actually ended up purchasing because I think it’s such a cool twist to the classic button up, adding an extra element of style, and the sleeves are a nice touch too!
Overall, I found a lot of great 2020 fashion trends during my trip to Value Village, although I didn’t find everything I had my eye out for, I found a lot of cool pieces! I encourage you to see what trends you can find thrifting, to have some fun experimenting with your wardrobe in a cost effective and ethical way.
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