Few places in Winnipeg blur the line between high fashion and small budget like a second-hand or thrift store. Many Winnipeggers are tempted by the low prices but find navigating thrift stores a confusing and overwhelming experience. Luckily for the thrift virgin, Winnipeg thrift stores can be categorized into three main types.
Non-Profit
These are the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) stores found in almost every neighborhood. Along with a great bargain, these stores may also cause feelings of good will and relieve spending anxiety since all their proceeds go to charity. They rely on community donations of clothing and use all store profits for either local or international charity work. Not for profit stores are the cheapest of all the thrift stores, as well as the smallest and lowest traffic. Because their stock is all donated, the selection can be limited but these stores are an amazingly cheap place to buy wardrobe basics like Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. If you’re willing to visit your local not for profit frequently, weekly or even daily, the rewards can be really huge. Gucci belts and Chanel t-shirts worth hundreds of dollars lurk between the racks but are snapped up quickly.
Look for:
Everyday clothing, and work clothing. Closet essentials like Gap and Banana Republic.
Big-box Vintage
For a massive selection and a department store feel, big-box vintage stores are the go to location. In Winnipeg the big-box vintage stores are primarily the four Value Village locations spread throughout the city. They are the best known and highest traffic second-hand stores in the city and the selection can be so large that it is daunting. A trip to one of these goliaths can take hours to sort through but the massive variety of clothing but that means that there is something for every taste. Well known mid-range clothing brands like Gap are priced significantly higher than in the not for profit thrift stores and though they accept donations of second-hand clothing and advertise their charitable donations, the big box vintage stores are developed specifically to make large company profits. If you avoid the overpriced sweaters and everyday clothing, there are more affordable designer finds hidden here than any other store. A shopper with knowledge of high end brands can find some impressive items from designers like Marc Jacobs, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Celine.
Look For:
High end designer pieces, especially in coats and dresses.
Boutiques
The secondhand clothing stores that cater to young, trendy, Winnipeggers are the boutiques. These stores are almost exclusively found downtown in Osborne Village or the Exchange District. The stores are well organized and easy to search through. Ragpickers, Vintage Glory and Vintage in the Village are all examples of boutiques, and are the highest priced of all the varieties of thrift stores. Though the price is higher, the clothing being sold is often one of a kind and not available in malls or any where else in Winnipeg. These shops are often consignment based and will even accept your old cast offs for store credit or cash making shopping there more affordable. The clothing is often highly specialized either exclusively to retro fashion or high end designer brands. It’s often a feel-good experience shopping boutique because the shops are usually owned and run by local entrepreneurs and fellow vintage lovers. While the boutique is not for every price range, the vintage connoisseur will find some of their favorite pieces in these shops, and it’s definitely worth a trip.
Look for:
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