Don’t get us wrong, we love a good Value Village find – but Vancouver has some amazing places to shop for vintage wear, with designer brands, one-off pieces, and more right at our fingertips. And we’re here to share some of our fave spots with you, so get ready to peruse the aisles and thrift something fun for your fall wardrobe!
Without further ado, here are 16 of the best places to shop for vintage clothing in Vancouver.
Community Thrift and Vintage
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We’re kicking things off with one of our favourite places to shop in the city, period. We love Community and their always changing inventory and affordable prices. With a range of men’s, women’s and unisex items to check out, you’ll almost forget that their main goal is helping out the PHS Community Services Society.
Where: 311 Carrall Street & 11 West Hastings Street
Mintage
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Next up is Mintage, which has been a staple in the city for over 15 years. Even after all this time, they’re still finding incredible pieces to sell across a variety of categories. Have a tiki night with some vintage dresses or a Hawaiian shirt, or find rare band tees!
Where: 1714 Commercial Drive
Frankie Collective
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While we love F as in Frank, there’s no doubt in our minds that Frankie Collective has long surpassed the original. Specializing in reworked vintage pieces, Frankie Collective has amassed a global following thanks to their ever-changing designs and inspirations. If you need fun pieces for when concerts and other events eventually return, this should be near the top of your list.
Where: Online only
Low Life
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While we usually browse the entire Mintage Mall, there are two spots that we feel deserve an extra shout-out. First up is Low Life, a shop that specializes in vintage biker/rocker looks straight out of the 90s. Grab an outfit from here, and you’ll feel like an extra in the movie Wild at Heart. No seriously, the mix of leathers, skin-tight clothing, and big cat prints just scream Lynch in the 90s.
Where: 245 East Broadway
Whatever Land
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Our second pick from Mintage Mall is Whatever Land, which comes from the same person behind Dead Union. If you’re looking for vintage t-shirts in Vancouver, then start here. From weird tourist tees to ultra-rare Grateful Dead merch, Whatever Land has options for every kind of budget, and graphics you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, in person or online.
Where: 245 East Broadway
The Rag Machine
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We remember the good ‘ole days when you could pay for vintage wear by the pound over at The Rag Machine. And while they’ve stopped doing that (for now?) – we think it’s still a cool place to pay a visit if you feel like working for your vintage treasures. As in, bag secured and hands ready to sort through their buckets of clothing – riddled with hidden gems and eye-catching finds. You can definitely find some amazing pieces if you’re willing to work for it!
Where: 2425 Main Street
Kool Thing Vintage
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With an emphasis on perfectly worn-in pieces and bright colours, Kool Thing Vintage is a perfect place to swing by for your next summer day outfit. They’ve got a huge selection of hard-to-find vintage t-shirts, but honestly, we’re loving the selection of blouses, button-up shirts and bottoms they consistently manage to source. Pro tip – they’re cheaper as well.
Where: 433 Columbia Street
Mine & Yours
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Next up are a couple of picks for vintage designer options in Vancouver. While the Instagram account may focus on vintage and designer handbags, make no mistake that there is a ton to discover here. A quick browse through their website has us finding everything from some of the best prices for Supreme tees (we’ll let you argue about their ‘designer’ status) to Chanel dresses and Versace sunglasses. It’s tailored towards women’s options, but that actually makes the men’s stuff even cheaper.
Where: 1025 Howe Street
Rewind Resale
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This ‘tiny but mighty’ thrift shop has an eclectic mix of options when it comes to vintage and pre-loved finds. From rare graphic T’s and designer belts to rave-worthy crop tops and clubwear – Rewind has a little bit of everything. Perfect for popping in after a bagel at Rosemary Rocksalt or before linking up with friends at Slim’s BBQ for patio drinks.
Where: 2331 Main Street
The Main Exchange
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As the name suggests, The Main Exchange is one of Main Street’s finest. The women-owned business has a ton of luxury brand clothing and accessory options on the racks – most with the original tags still on! And yet, the prices are moderate, making this spot a fantastic option for popping in spontaneously and making a few purchases. And if you feel like perusing some more, there’s always Front & Company just next door.
Where: 3728 Main Street
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Turnabout
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Turnabout’s ongoing presence in the Vancouver consignment world has made it a wildcard pick for us, which we love. Sure, there are classic brands like John Varvatos or Eileen Fisher here. But, more importantly, you’re just as likely to find rarities from some cult names like Thom Browne, Haider Ackermann and Sacai. The result? Screaming discounts on some truly gorgeous garments. This is our pick if you’re trying to attend an art gallery opening – but on a budget.
Where: Multiple locations
Woo Vintage
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Woo is about as authentic as it gets when it comes to vintage clothing in Vancouver. Specializing in deadstock and with a focus on pieces from the 40s to the 70s, this is without a doubt the place to go if you want to look like you stepped out of a time machine. And, due to the age of the garments, never again will you have to wonder if that person across the patio is actually in the same outfit as you. The final bonus? Their Insta feed is colour-coordinated, making scrolling through their designs even more pleasing.
Where: 4393 Main Street
Far Out Vintage
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Far Out Vintage is one of those rare spots that only goes off of in-store shopping and the rare IG post. Know what that tells us? They’ve got such a good selection, and at such a good price, that they don’t need to focus too much on marketing. It’s like your favourite neighbourhood cafe- you don’t go there because they got a shoutout from an influencer, you go there because you know it will be a great experience.
Where: 165 East Cordova Street
Story of Things
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Another unique concept, Story of Things spends weeks/if not months curating clothing, then hosting pop-ups on a seasonal basis. The time-sensitive approach works well, since everything on sale reflects the season. Of course, that also means a little healthy competition while you’re shopping, but experienced fashion victims know how to handle that.
Where: 1111 Commercial Drive
Hey Jude
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To cap this list off we’ve got a couple of spots that are like pseudo-vintage stores, but deserve a nod nonetheless. First up is Hey Jude, where you can find some incredible vintage basics alongside modern designers. They’ve got a focus on tonal looks and easy-to-wear designs, making it as easy as ever to find something that fits your style. A pro-tip for here? They’ve got some of the best prices of vintage denim in the city, when it’s not sold out.
Where: 315 Abbott Street
Erin Templeton
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This eponymous brand has been delighting locals and tourists alike since 2007 thanks to its Gastown location. But, make no mistake that like John Fluevog, Erin Templeton has more than earned its place in Vancouver’s fashion canon. Alongside an array of reworked bags and accessories (for which the brand is known), you’ll find a curated selection of some great vintage items as well.
Where: 511 Carrall Street
That’s our roundup of some of the best spots to shop for vintage clothing in Vancouver. We hope you find some treasures at these spots.
