Value Village (Dufferin and Steeles)

Value Village (Dufferin and Steeles) 1520 Steeles Avenue West

My sister woke me up out of bed today proclaiming she was downstairs and to get dressed to grab a bite to eat. Woke up grudgingly!

In the same plaza there was a Value Village. We went in to take a look before brunch. Walking through it is a decent size nothing really catches my eye. My sister finds a pair of Joe Fresh Flats and I see a really pretty long sleeve leather dress ($29.99). But it's too early and I'm still half asleep so I pass trying it on.

I do see in the display case 3 Burberry scarfs. I ask to see them to check them to see if they are authentic. There is a pink plaid linen one which was fake ($9.99), an authentic red and plaid silk one  ($9.99) and a pink silk one ($14.99). 2 out 3 are authentic and I ended loving the most expensive one! Go Figure!

I thought it was adorable with it's lambs. and was a cute pink color!

Burberry Silk Scarf ($14.99)

Value Village (Wilson and Keele)

So today was the infamous 50% off sale in Value Village and I got a chance to hit up 3 of them but only picked up items at 2 of them. Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor) was a bust due to it being really popular with all the hipsters in the neighbourhood.

The second one is:

Value Village (Wilson and Keele) 1030 Wilson Avenue




Mantles Trench
($12.99 - 50% - $6.50)

I hit this one up with Foxy after work and with an hour left to go we slide into this huge location and we are surprised at the lack of people. We walk around expecting things to be picked over but to our surprise it was filled with amazing things!! The purse and shoe department is not very impressive but it had some great jackets. 


H&M Back Anorak
$9.99 - 50% - $4.99)

They had some great vintage trench coats that were made in Canada for only $6.99! I pick up a grey one, Jones New York red one and a  and Mantles khaki  one with plaid on the inside a-la-Burberry. I also pick up a H&M Black anorak and spot a new red leather biker jacket with tags still on! To my disappointment it didn't fit! I ended up with the Mantles Khaki Trench and Black H&M anorak.

Going through the skirts we look out for a great leather skirt we've been hunting for. We come up with a Blue Danier pencil skirt ($12.99), a blue leather pencil skirt with almost an acid wash texture and Black snaps going down the front (looking back I should've picked this up for my sister! was definitely drool worthy and a steal at $13.99!) and Foxy pulls out of the rack triumphantly a beautiful black Danier Leather skirt ($19.99). 

Danier Leather Skirt
Danier.com ($279)
($19.99 - 50% - $9.99)

Excitedly she tried it on right there in the isle over her jeans and hops into it! Success!!! (By the way when we got back to her place we researched the skirt, it retails for $279 and currently on sale for $179 on the Danier website!)
 We Go over to the Blazers, excited with all the great finds make it hard to focus! But going through the racks there are LOTS of name brands like Gap, H&M, Tommy Hilifiger, etc. Foxy pulls out another great find! A Vintage Oversize Escada Cashmere Pastel Plaid Blazer ($14.99)!  She rolls up the sleeves to reveal the pale pink lining! So pretty!

We also picked up a couple more items but the announcement saying it's closing time we didn't get to try them on. We walk out with large grins on our faces and a sense of accomplishment! We are excited to go back to this location without the pressure of the clock to go through all the great racks of items!

 Overall Impression:
The best location so far. Not to close to downtown to warrant the crowd therefore there are many treasures! It's large and it seems that this location the pricing seems much lower than the others.
Ranked #1 for me right now but don't tell your friends, I don't want it to be picked through.

Value Village (Victoria Park and Eglinton)

So today was the infamous 50% off sale in Value Village and I got a chance to hit up 3 of them but only picked up items at 2 of them.Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor) was a bust due to it being really popular with all the hipsters in the neighborhood.

The first one is:

Value Village (Victoria Park and Eglinton) 1525 Victoria Park Avenue

I went with my mom and dad to this one at 7:30am and was surprise to see that it was already buzzing! My mother walked away with 2 Eddie Bauer Jackets and a plaid wool caplet her total was around $30. my dad walked away with a cotton blazer, a leather jacket, a couple tops, some trousers and a pair of new Tommy Hilfiger Jeans with tags courtesy of me of course! His total was around $60

Here's what I got:



H&M Shawl
($12.99 - $6.50)

 

Chunky Knit Cardigan
 ($9.99 -  $4.99)

Vintage Dress with Leather
Details ($12.99 - $6.50)

Burberry Wedges
(I got these a couple months ago
for $9.99, Retails for $200+)

 

Leopard Skirt ($7.99 - $3.99)











Overall Impression:
I go to this one with my mom, It's big and has great stuff. Although large it is much better when there isn't any sales. They have a great Jacket section and usually have lots of things with tags. 





Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor)

Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor) 1319 Bloor Street West
 

So at this point we're starting to tire out but coming into this Value Village left us stunned! I've been here once before with another friend but don't remember buying anything nor was I as interested. This location is HUGE! Rows and Rows of racks of clothes and a large seasonal section filled with Christmas Decor. 

We head over to the purses but before we get there we check out the glass display case. We notice purses behind the glass case and I ask to take a look at the small Patent Gucci Purple-Black Ombre handbag ($59.99) in the display case. I'm very well trained to spot fakes and as soon as she places the purse in my hand I automatically know this one is a fake. My friend asked to see a Multi-Colored Coach Tote ($39.99) and another Brown Leather Coach Hobo ($59.99). Upon receiving them I confirm for my friend they are real Coach. Amused by my knowledge the lady behind the glass brings some more purses and I confirm they are all real Coach. They seem to be all from the same collection so I assume some rich lady decided to clean out her closet. While I was walking away my friend asks me if I saw the Green Prada ($39.99). Curious I walk back and ask for it. Instantly my heat jumps as I recognize the great quality that is Prada. I check the inside pocket and low and behold I find the Authenticity cards! SCORE! I instantly want it! So I tell the lady that I want it and she holds it for me while we walk around.

Feeling amped we scour the store looking for more treasures! I check the regular racks of purses and find this bag I had wanted a while back but didn't want to spend the $200, a Snakeskin Banana Republic Leather Purse ($5.99). Amazing! Now we're Super Pumped!

Because of the size of this location it has large departments! We stroll the around and end up by the blazers. I find an awesome Tiger Print Satin Blazer ($7.99). I was initially scared it might be gaudy but thought it would be so cute over solid colored dresses or a white t-shirt and jeans accessorized with some chunky colorful jewellery. I guess the tiger in me (my Chinese Horoscope Sign) couldn't resist!

I found Foxy a beautiful Chiffon Pink Blouse ($7.99) and she decides to get the Brown Coach Leather Purse as well.

We both walk out excited and thrilled about our great finds!

Overall Impression:
Large Location with lots of Clothing, Housewares and Furniture. Although we got great finds it had quite a few customers and I can see this place getting picked over often. Overall great location, will definitely come back!

Thrifting Spree - Best Thrift Stores Toronto

 

As I was watching "My shopping Addiction" on TLC and reevaluating oh-too-similar behaviour the addicts were displaying causing me to consider an intervention, I was distracted by a shopper who only shopped in second hand stores. She was scoring Dior, Prada, Gucci Purses for mere $60! 

 

Seeing this I can hear my mother's lecture to us about not forgetting we were raised on clothing from Goodwill when our heads got too big for our own good! You see my parents came to Toronto from the Philippines with very little. But with hard work my parents became an immigrant success story.

 





Baby Me!



Funny how things come full circle! After years of spending thousands of dollars on regular retail you can find me now with my mother shopping in these same secondhand stores I loathed growing up, looking for  treasures and unique, quality clothing that I can guarantee will not have a "who wore it best" showdown.

 

But with everything, there is a right way and a wrong way. I called my reliable shopping buddy Foxy and got her pumped to do a mass thrift store shopping spree!

 

Here are some tips to prepare for thrifting because Knowledge is Power!

 

1.  Brand Me 

Having a great photogenic memory and being an avid shopper I am well versed in brands. Make sure to research brands and their specialities and average price points, this will help you correctly assess the value in a item. Example a Topshop dress priced $9.99 (retails $70) vs. an Ted Baker dress priced $9.99 (retails $250) . Also be careful! Some big brands although well know and advertised produce cheap mass produced items. Which brings me to my next tip....

 

2. Know how to recognise Quality

Knowing the difference between real leather and distressed Pleather is necessary. The imitations are getting better and better so knowing the telltale signs will help you recognise the treasures among the mass amounts of cheaply manufactured clothing. Keep an eye on stitching, seaming and details. Quality items in a second hand store have survived use after use because they are made well.

 

3. Size is nothing but a Number
Don't limit yourself to a size. Depending on the maker yo might be smaller or bigger than the size you think. If something catches your eye, TRY IT ON!


4. Apply to Memberships and Mailing Lists
All of the thrift stores have sles going on all the time.
Goodwill has 75% tag sales and 50% off Everything sales.
Value Village has 50% off once a month, membership cards and stamp cards. Salvation Army has coupons on thier website.


5. Keep an Open Mind
 Stain on the sleeve of a Blazer? Signs of wear on the knee of jeans? If you love it, Ask for a discount! By sewing a silk scarf on the inside of the blazer's arms and rolling it up... Voila! and taking a cheese grater to  the jeans you get a great distressed look!


 I will be posting my finds and reviews on the stores we visit and a map of the locations.

Stay tuned and Happy Thrifting!!