Thrifting in Toronto has gotten out of hand—and I’m about to tell you why.

First off, I’ll begin by saying that I don’t consider myself a big-league thrifter. But, I can tell you one thing: whoever is creating the price tags at Value Village has gone AWOL.

I have inserted a picture for reference:

This image is frightening. So frightening that I, with zero hesitation, had to snap this photo for proof (and to send immediately to everyone on my contact list).

And no—it’s not the fact that these heels have been wrongfully labeled as boots, and it’s not the fact that Value Village is selling used footwear for $49.99.

It’s that these fluffy pumps are from Forever 21. And, if this isn’t a fashion crime, I don’t know what is.

Now, I’m no detective but everyone (and their mother) knows that Forever 21 sells brand new, simple heels—like these ones—for a low bargain of $15-30.

So, the question remains: if we can’t rely on thrift stores to provide justified prices, then who are we to trust?

While I might not be a thrifting connoisseur, I have picked up a trick or two living in Toronto for the past few years. The truth is, Toronto really is a great place to live. And while thrifting is a lot of fun, it’s even more fun when its cheap.

There’s tons of places to explore (and avoid) when it comes to curating the perfect vintage closet. So, let’s go over some top secret tips about thrifting in Toronto.

Kensington Market

As tempting as it may seem, thrifting in Kensington Market—Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhood—is, shall I say, somewhat overrated. While there’s a lot of pleasurable restaurants to visit, I’d recommend you leave the thrifting to more “underground” stores (which we’ll get into). On the other hand, if you’re willing to spend some extra coins, Kensington is a great place to access already curated outfits. Basically, it’s thrifting—without digging through the ugly stuff.

Underground Stores

Let’s get right to the point here: Wildlife Thrift Store, Black Market Vintage, Common Sort, and Market by the Pound are all amazing thrift stores in Toronto that offer a curated selection of clothing for a not-so-premium price. For example, after recently strolling through Common Sort, I was invitingly surprised by the array of Aritzia pieces in the $20 price range. So, if you’re visiting Toronto on a thrifting staycation, these are the places you don’t want to miss.

*Image Retrieved from* *Black Market Vintage*

3. Value Village (obviously)

I’m pretty sure Value Village is Canada’s version of Goodwill. It’s relatively cheap and has a huge selection of clothing, although you do want to know your brands and prices (if you don’t, you may just end up paying $50 for Forever 21 heels). However, living in Toronto tends to attract a lot of like-minded thrifters. If you want to land a couple of good finds, I’d recommend going early in the morning or on Tuesdays when the racks typically are being restocked. But, I will say, since Value Village is not curated, it’s essential to check for any flaws like holes or stains.

SHEIN: the Enemy in Disguise

If there’s one thing to warn you about: it’s SHEIN. while this brand is infamous for its stylish and insanely cheap clothing, it’s the complete reflection of fast fashion. Key word: fast.

While SHEIN has gained popularity from social media platforms, such as TikTok, I’m an avid believer that it’s gone out of fashion just as fast. And, as a result of this, SHEIN clothing is cluttered throughout thrift stores.

So, unless you want to pay triple the price than what the clothes are selling on the website for (which I don’t recommend buying from regardless), here’s how to spot a hidden SHEIN item:

Clothing with no tags
Cheap quality (thin fabric, unraveling seams, ugly slogans)
An on-trend item that's already suspiciously at the thrift

Take Advantage of Social Media

Facebook Marketplace, ThredUp and Depop are great alternatives to shopping in-person in Toronto. Pinterest is a social media platform where users can directly transform their inspo into reality. For example, I often hear people fuss that “I have no luck at the thrift store” or “I never find anything good.” Yet, it’s often they just don’t know what to look for—and Pinterest is a way to pre-determine the look you want to achieve. So, what I’m saying is: use social media to your advantage and research what you want to look for before you're even there. Toronto is a big city full of lots of clothes—and it can be difficult to cipher through the not-so-appealing (or overpriced garbage) that often finds its way onto the racks.

So there you have it. Five golden tips to ensure a smooth thrifting experience in Toronto. Whether you live here, you’re stopping by, or even if you don’t plan to visit this city at all—hopefully we’ve prepared you to become just a little better at thrifting.

Written by Brya Sheridan, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

The Ultimate Thrifting Guide: Toronto (the Hits, the Misses, and the Flops)

Kensington Market

Underground Stores

3. Value Village (obviously)

SHEIN: the Enemy in Disguise

Take Advantage of Social Media