Written by: Jamila Kyari
An alternative form of fashion consumption is currently afoot. Some may refer to it as shopping for pre-loved, thrift, vintage, consignment, second-hand, hand-me-down or upcycled. While each term has a slightly different meaning, they all offer one thing in common – the thrill of a treasure hunt for a great fashion find. And granted, not all pre-loved fashion stores are exactly the same, which is why finding the dream outfit requires a little more effort. But still, it is an exciting, unforgettable experience – one where you can relish how exhilarating it is to find an item no one else has.
Shopping sustainably
Shopping for pre-loved goods might have once been stigmatized but the concept is rapidly catching on and its growing popularity means big shifts for the retail sector. The trend is being driven by a shift in attitude towards buying used and the fact that it is good for the planet. According to a 2019 report by Kijiji, 82 per cent of Canadians bought pre-loved goods in the past year. The thrifting industry also accounts for 1.23% of Canadaās GDP which is equal to $27.3 billion a year.
Waterloo Region is no newbie to the pre-loved fashion frenzy. There are many local shops that are selling gently used clothing to complement any wardrobe.Ā
Where to find pre-loved fashions in Waterloo Region
THE TOWNSHIPS
Escape the busy city streets into the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich on a day-trip to discover their pre-loved shopping destinations. Take it as an adventure. You never know what you might find!
Auburn Vintage Clothiers
@auburn_vintage_clothiers
Whether you are dressing up to look good at home or for a special outing, you will find your next outfit at Auburn Vintage Clothiers. Whisk your wardrobe into top shape by shopping their carefully curated selection of design must-haves that are both classic and chic.
MCC Thrift and Gift
59 Church St. West, Elmira
@ElmiraThrift
How would you shop if every purchase you made was a gift to the world? At Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift and Gift, your purchase supports various programs that help enrich the community. Their store is stocked daily with new items and also features a silent auction for antique items.
Woolwich Community Services (WCS) Thrift Shop
5 Memorial Avenue, Elmira
@woolwichthriftshop
WCS has been serving residents in Woolwich and Northern Wellesley Township since 1974. Their thrift shop serves as a major fundraiser for community programs and initiatives. Here, you will find gently used clothing for every season alongside other items at great prices.
New Hamburg Thrift Centre
41 Heritage Drive, New Hamburg
@nhthriftcentre
Think general store but with thrift prices! You are bound to find a good bargain here. As a non-profit establishment owned by the MCC and like all other shops in the network, New Hamburg Thrift relies on the generosity of donors and offers clean and quality items for sale.
THE TRI-CITIES
When it comes to pre-loved fashion, the tri-cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge are bustling with a lot of choices and options to choose from. Whether you are a conscious shopper or savvy fashionista, you will find your next enjoyable experience here.
May Court Shop
714 Belmont Avenue West, Kitchener
@shopmaycourtkw
Specializing in womenās consignment garments, the May Court Shop offers contemporary and sustainable fashion at a reasonable cost and tax-free. The May Court Shop retains 60% of the selling price of all consigned clothing and 100% of profits are given to charities in the community, so you can feel doubly-good about your new purchase!
Carousel Clothing
72 St Leger Street, Kitchener
@carouselclothingkitchener
As a seller of both new and consignment apparel, Carousel Clothing helps women look good with business, formal and casual attire. Their shop is seasonal with sizes that go from zero to 24 including petites. They sell pieces that are in good condition and all unsold items are donated to local charities.
Le Prix Fashion and Consulting
20 Queen Street North, Kitchener
@robynleprix
If you are often overwhelmed by racks of clothing or puzzled about what to buy due to many choices, consider booking a wardrobe consultation at Le Prix. In addition to carrying a range of sustainable clothes and self-care goods, they offer wardrobe styling services to help you shop smarter and with confidence.
Lustre and Oak
2 King St. South, Unit 5, Waterloo
@lusterandoak
Lustre and Oak describes itself as āyour favourite vintage, consignment and high-end thrift store.ā Undeniably so, they offer the best of 80s and 90s retro clothing – primarily streetwear such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and denim jeans. They carry these items from a variety of brands which include Nike, Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Tommy Hilfiger and more.
Rebyl Goods
@rebylgoods
This shop retails online and was recently started by two friends, Rebecca and Cheryl who both share an interest for sustainability. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that thrifting keeps more out of the landfills, reduces over-consumption and promotes a unique personal style.
The Sharing Squirrel
55 Pinebush Road, Cambridge
@thesharingsquirrel
Find the cutest clothes for your baby or toddler plus a wide selection of maternity needs and sustainable style for the whole family. All items are carefully selected, sorted and come with detailed descriptions about the condition for each so that you can make an informed decision.
White Tiger Vintage
248 King St. East, Kitchener
@whitetigervintage
Funky and retro is the name of the game where White Tiger Vintage is concerned ā a place to explore one-of-a-kind vintage clothing that you wonāt find elsewhere. Shopping here is like travelling back in time but not without the experience of some modern designs.
Uptown Thrift
742 King Street East, Cambridge
(Preston Town Centre)
Operated by Argus Residence for Young People, Uptown Thrift curates quality pre-loved clothing, household items, furniture and more! Entire proceeds from the purchases currently go towards supporting job skills training and creating employment for youth.
Thrift on Kent
50 Kent Ave, Kitchener
@thriftonkent
Located at the corner of Kent Avenue and Charles Street, they have served the community since 2013. They are also owned by the MCC and have a pricing model and environmental goals that mirror those of other shops in the network – towards helping the community thrive.
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Jamila KyariĀ is a local communications strategist and blogger who is passionate about inspiring others to live a colourful, vibrant and bold life. When she is not creating content for her social media channels, she can be found writing blog posts for her eponymous African fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog!