Finding well-fitting and stylish secondhand clothing can be a daunting task, but shopping at thrift stores is a great way for students to find affordable clothes. Plus, it’s a way to find items that are a bit different than what’s available in other clothing stores.
“I just think it’s more unique, and I like the idea of recycled clothing,” says visual arts student Emily Harris.
Thrift-store shopping is usually about finding a statement piece, but consider buying basics there as well.
“I get a lot of my long-sleeve plaid t-shirts secondhand, and some pullover sweaters,” saysĘuniversity transfer arts student William Butcher.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothes in thrift stores. The racks of clothes are often disorganized, which can lead to further frustration.
It’s good to have a focus when heading into these stores. By having a clear visual image of a future purchase, sifting through the undesirable garments becomes easy.
“Generally, I have an idea of what kind of look I’m going for before I buy something,” says visual arts student Keilah Lukenbill-Williams.
Also, have a look in an older relative’s closet; they might own a timeless blouse or blazer that can be adapted in a modern way. In Harris’ case, she wears her mother’s boots.
“I know they’re really old and probably from London,” she says.
But there are drawbacks to secondhand stores. Business student Lauren Kubek says she would like to purchase clothes at thrift stores, but can’t due to her allergies.
“Cat dander gets in fabrics,” says Kubek, “so it’s hard for me to buy secondhand clothes.”
But not all cheap clothing has to be secondhand. Popular stores like H&M have a wide variety of clothes for reasonable prices, and discount clothing stores like Dots and Winners have brand-new clothes that are marked down anywhere from 40 to 60 percent.
Looking for cheap threads?
Value Village (1810 Store)
The most extensive thrift store in Victoria, with an enormous selection of men’s and women’s fashions at reasonable prices. The downside is its large size and the disorganized state the store is often in.
Salvation Army Victoria (525 Johnson, 3948 Quadra)
The Sally Ann is smaller than Value Village, but it’s cheaper and has a good selection. As with any thrift store, digging out the fabulous finds is always the challenge.
The Patch (719 Yates)
Only quality secondhand clothing, so it isn’t as overwhelming as traditional thrift stores. Unfortunately, the prices are higher.
Dots (724 Fort)
At Dots you can pay $20 for items from brands like Kensie and Kersh that the Bay and boutiques downtown sell for $70. Too bad about the limited selection of men’s clothing.
Winners (3170 Tillicum, 2945 Jacklin)
Specializes in having brand-name clothes for low prices. Unfortunately, it’s a very large store and the desirable clothes can get picked over quickly.
Don’t forget about other thrift stores like WIN and St. Vincent de Paul. Money from purchases from these places even goes to local charities.