29 Secrets

There’s so many reasons to go “vintage” these days:perhaps you’re looking to tighten your purse strings, or maybe just find interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Vintage shopping is almost a no-fail way of finding that perfect addition to your wardrobe that makes you truly individual. And, best of all: you don’t have to be your average garden-variety hipster to rock an awesome vintage piece.

I personally love purchasing vintage pieces to not only create unique outfits, but to add an air of classicism and nostalgia to my personal style. For me, it’s like bringing out the fashion big guns.

Nothing’s more satisfying than that great vintage buy. There’s a sort of added satisfaction to the purchase of a vintage piece, over and above “regular” shopping. When all the right elements of fit, cut, wearability and flair come together, what you get is not just another great dress. What you really get is a great dress that you’re not going to see anyone else in.When I’ve found the perfect piece, I feel like I’m carrying a wardrobe secret home to my closet.

And every girl needs a few secrets, doesn’t she?

Here are a couple of tips and places where you can start:

Courage My Love (14 Kensington Avenue, Toronto) – Perhaps the most popular choice for great vintage accessories. Founder and co-owner Stewart Schriver has been traveling all over the world since 1975 and bringing back trinkets from Namibia, Thailand, Turkey and India, just to name a few. Their clothing options are just as impressive: a men’s blazer will cost you no more than $40, while dresses are priced anywhere between $25 and $100, according to quality, brand and make.

A one-stop shop for all your vintage needs. Bungalow (273 Augusta Avenue, Toronto) – My personal favourite. I once spent a few minutes too many salivating over a black floral print long-sleeved vintage Dior dress from the seventies that would’ve run me about $180. But $180 for Dior? Sigh, if I’d had the money at the time, I would’ve grabbed it.

Otherwise, the racks are always neat, the staff attentive but never hovering, and the clothes are never disappointing. And besides the Dior dress, the prices hover much lower between $30 and $100.