 "Photo: Tiffany Blaise")
 "Photo: Tiffany Blaise")
 "Photo: Tiffany Blaise")
The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising and the snow is slowly melting away. For all the fashionistas out there, this means it’s time to start shedding those bulky layers and think about shopping for spring. Whether you’re on a budget this season or you’re simply looking for that elusive wardrobe-changing piece, visiting some of Montreal’s vintage shops could be just the thing you need.
If you find the idea of shopping secondhand daunting or you’re not sure where to start, read on for a guide on how to make the most of vintage shopping in this city.
Fashion often works in cycles. Most seasons, designers look to the past to get inspiration for their new collections. Different silhouettes, cuts, colours and patterns inevitably reappear in trends throughout the years. The women with the most enviable style always seem to mix high-end and low-end items with vintage pieces. When you wear vintage, not only can you ensure your look is unique, but it gives a certain cachet to your style.
A great way for beginners to get their feet wet is with accessories. In the book, It’s Vintage, Darling!: How to be a Clothes Connoisseur, author Christa Weil’s advice is to “build a great accessories collection and you effectively double your wardrobe.” Shoes, bags, jewellery and scarves are some of the easiest things to shop for because you don’t need to worry too much about the fit. Also, many accessories are timeless, like a well-made leather belt.
One top-notch place to search for vintage boots is Friperie Swing in the Plateau. It has a large selection that’s arranged by size. The store is small but well-organized and very reasonably priced. Some goodies include tall riding boots for $25 and a taupe leather crocodile embossed belt for $8. Owner Mone Virasith also specializes in leather jackets and has an array in a variety of colours and lengths.
“I really care for quality but I don’t think that things need to be overpriced,” said Virasith. The shopkeeper said he caters to students and young professionals and tries to keep his prices down.
When you’re shopping vintage, something you have to be prepared for is devoting a lot of time to it. You can find amazing items at incredible prices but the trade-in is it may take hours, even days to find that perfect piece.
“The key when shopping vintage is to shop around,” said Viraseth.
Fortunately, the more practice you have, the easier the search gets. It’s always best to start by knowing what you want. If you have a list of several items you’re looking for (black pencil skirt, floral scarf, satin clutch, etc.) then you’ll know what sections of the store to start with. Of course, there can be hidden treasures when you’re shopping vintage so it’s a good idea to at least have a quick look at everything in the store.
The well-practiced vintage shopper also knows exactly what to look for and what to avoid at a secondhand store. Weil says the mark of high quality clothing is a combination of two things: the quality of the fabric and the quality of construction. This is what makes high-end clothing so much more expensive than bargain buys like Forever 21 and H&M. One of the most important things to become familiar with when looking at vintage clothing is different fabrics. The quality of the fabric used in a garment is the best indicator of its overall quality, according to Weil. When browsing a second hand store, your sense of touch can be just as important as your sense of sight. Weil suggests introducing yourself to a variety of fine fabrics at high-end shops so you know what to look for when you enter a vintage boutique.
Though a name like Ralph Lauren or Michael Kors on a piece of clothing will probably ensure higher quality, the label is never the most important thing to look for. Never buy an item without first checking every inch for signs of wear. Some things can be easy to repair if you have basic sewing skills or are willing to have the item tailored. Wrinkles, missing buttons, broken zippers and torn linings are problems that are easily and inexpensively fixed. If your find has an obvious stain or hole, however, leave it behind.
An advantage to shopping vintage is you can often find high quality classic pieces at a much lower price point. Things like black blazers, well-cut trench coats, crisp blouses and feminine dresses never go out of style. A new Ralph Lauren crested blazer for example, could sell for up to $500 and I spotted a vintage one for $20.
Another destination in the city to shop for vintage basics in a well-structured environment is Memento on St. Denis St. This store stocks old costumes from the Centre National de Costume and displays all the pieces by decade. They have a great selection of women’s day dresses as well as an extensive men’s department.
E.R.A. Vintage on Notre-Dame St. West is recognized as one of Montreal’s premier vintage shopping spots. The boutique specializes in evening wear and all of the garments are in immaculate condition. The decor is bright and modern and the overall effect is a shop that doesn’t feel like it’s selling previously worn clothes. E.R.A. is full of prom style dresses that look like they belong at Betsey Johnson (don’t forget, Betsey does get much of her inspiration from the 1950s) and you’ll be overwhelmed by the vibrant colours, sequins, bows and lace.
“Each piece is loved, we really care for everything here,” said Jen Kyle, an employee at E.R.A.
Racks are organized by colour and style and everything is dry cleaned and mended. Many items are even altered and modernized to fit in with current fashion trends. The store carries clothing dating from the late 1920s through the 1980s.
“We really try to bring the clothing back to life,” said Kyle.
Because everything is handpicked and well-maintained, prices are higher here but still reasonable considering the quality. Blouses range from $40 to $90 while dresses can go as high as $400 depending on the level of embellishment.
Enlisting the help of shopkeepers is generally a plus because they know their stock better than anyone else. Elaine Leveille is the owner of E.R.A. as well as a stylist with a background in the fashion industry. She works with clients and takes into consideration their personal style and body type to assist them in finding exactly what they’re looking for. E.R.A. also offers in-store alterations for a small fee.
If you see potential in a garment but it doesn’t fit perfectly, be ready to have it taken in for alterations. With clothing from other eras, it’s sometimes necessary to hem a skirt or remove shoulder pads to make your piece look modern.
Further, keep in mind that you should never buy a vintage piece just because it’s beautiful or has a designer name on the label. As with regular shopping, you have to consider wearability. If you don’t think you’ll get use out of it, it’s a waste of money.
Meanwhile, thrift stores like Value Village and The Salvation Army aren’t for the faint of heart. Yet once you have some experience, they can be the best place to find incredible deals. Because you have to do all the digging, prices at large secondhand stores are extremely low. With a little effort and expertise you can find shoes and bags for under $20 and skirts, blouses and sweaters for under $10.
Regardless of your finances or your familiarity with vintage shopping, Montreal is home to a myriad places where you can search for previously loved treasures.
Locations to check out
-E.R.A. Vintage: 1800 Notre-Dame St. West
-Friperie Swing: 151 des Pins Ave. East
-Memento: 3678 St. Denis St.
-Friperie St Laurent: 3976 Saint-Laurent Blvd. Has new stock every week and a variety of leather items and furs.
-Eva B: 2013 Saint-Laurent Blvd. For a whole day shopping experience and costume rentals.
-Cul-De-Sac: 3966 Saint-Laurent Blvd. Big selection of handbags.
-Preloved: 4832 Saint-Laurent Blvd. Great for vintage garments reworked into modern pieces.
1 comments
Robin