Vintage shops in Toronto that capture Canadian cool

Toronto has long been considered a leading destination for second-hand shopping by those in the know, with fashion creatives frequently scouring its upscale resale boutiques and thrift stores when in town. The city is a trailblazer in the sustainable fashion movement, and many vintage stores also incorporate upcycled designs into their offerings.

Where to shop for vintage in Toronto

Seekers of what is described as “true vintage” – pieces from fashion’s foundational decades – flock to Kensington Market: a bohemian enclave next to Toronto’s Chinatown area that is home to some of the city’s most iconic vintage retailers, nestled between the neighbourhood’s buzzing fruit stands, tacos shops and bars.

Toronto’s Little Portugal neighbourhood offers more curated second-hand shops plus a few popular consignment retailers. These include one of the city’s original pre-loved luxury boutiques, I Miss You Vintage, as well as local favourite, VSP.

Savvy sartorialists also congregate at the seasonal Toronto Vintage Clothing Show at Exhibition Place twice a year to source special items from dozens of sellers.

Vintage shops in downtown

Mama Loves You

Best for: Concert tees, bold prints and high impact accessories
Address: 541 Queen Street West, Toronto M5V 2B6

Pepto pink walls, nostalgic décor and kitsch-forward wares define this dreamy boutique run by a mother-daughter team since 2012. Mama Loves You speaks to fashion nostalgists who delight in finding a one-of-a-kind garment that was likely homemade. As Elvis or Motown tunes blare in the background, peruse racks of boldly patterned maxi dresses, cocktail hour and eveningwear circa the ‘50s-‘70s, plus a cache of collectable concert t-shirts.

Courage My Love

Best for: A Toronto institution for snapping up reworked vintage
Address: 14 Kensington Avenue, Toronto M5T 2J7

Courage My Love’s doors first opened in 1975, and it has become one of the most beloved and consistent vintage stores in the city. Look out for the legendary shop’s baby blue awning with a curated selection of vintage Birkenstocks, cowboy boots and flashy leather pants outside, a tempting glimpse of what lies within. Each visit promises a fresh array of garments upcycled by the staff, with short sets made from vintage chenille blankets being among customer favourites.

Exile Vintage

Best for: Perfectly worn leather jackets and outré occasion wear
Address: 60 Kensington Avenue, Toronto, M5T 2K1

For more than half a century, Exile’s cheery yellow exterior has been a beacon for vintage aficionados and amateur thrifting fans alike. Admirers of Australia’s unmistakably quirky Coogi sweaters and prim Gunne Sax dresses will find plenty to love, as will anyone in search of a gauzy party gown (racks are playfully organised by categories such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Prom Queen”). From souvenir jackets to distressed denim, it’s hard to leave empty handed – especially on Saturdays, when the Bargain Basement offers items for as little as $5.

Vintage shops in Midtown

The Cat’s Meow

Best for: Designer vintage and Hollywood Golden Age accessories
Address: 180 Avenue Road, Toronto M5R 2J1

This boutique has been a fixture of Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood for more than two decades. Designer clothing from brands such as Chanel, Dries Van Noten and Oscar de la Renta is neatly colour-coded, alongside the odd Versace animal print. Grandeur is the goal, and the owner has a soft spot for Hollywood Golden Age accessories; find a trove of delicate, eye-catching evening gloves beside a staircase, and a stellar costume jewellery display up front.

Vintage shops in the East End

Sunday Variety at St. Lawrence Market

Best for: Brim-filled racks beside a landmark food market
Address: St. Lawrence Market, 125 The Esplanade, Toronto M5E 1C3
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-5pm

St. Lawrence Market is a local landmark serving up fresh produce, meat and more since the 1800s, with regulars arriving early to secure the best cuts. The same could be said of those who come for the neighbouring weekend vintage market, located in a huge white tent behind the Market’s iconic covered food hall. With a multitude of sellers, some booths are more tightly curated than others: vendor Her Name is Red has racks lined with what is described as both “femme” and “gender neutral” looks, while former fashion designer and sustainability activist Laura Siegel stocks earthy, textile-forward pieces.

Gadabout

Best for: A jumble of ephemeral finds spanning decades
Address: 1300 Queen Street East, Toronto M4L 1C4

Just before you reach The Beaches, a self-explanatory section of Toronto’s east end, sits Gadabout – a two-story shop clad in bright red wooden slats that’s filled to the gills with eclectic goods dating from the 1800s until the 1970s. Within its mishmash of drawers and displays holding opera glasses, clutch bags, textiles, homewares and sunglasses, one might spy a three-piece Saville Row-made suit – a reward for the patience required to trawl through this treasure chest of a space.

Second Voyage Vintage and The Vintage Hall

Best for: A mult-level vintage clothing mecca with onsite alterations
Address: 754 Queen Street East, Toronto, M4M 1H4

Now with a second location further north and east, Second Voyage Vintage and The Vintage Hall – a two-level shop with adjacent vintage vendor stalls – are staking a claim as one of the city’s emerging vintage empires. Inside, a “something for everyone” selection of wares spreads across a characterful space complete with a multi-coloured piano and disco ball in the basement. Another highlight is Live Alterations by Hannah, a tiny open-door nook where fabric nips and tucks can be watched in action.

Vintage shops in the West End

Atomic

Best for: A history lesson in mid-century modern furniture and abstract art
Address: 965 Queen Street West, Toronto M6J 2W2

Before ambling across the street to take in the scene in Trinity-Bellwoods, one of Toronto’s busiest parks, pop into this petite shop and peruse an eye-catching trove of 20th-century designer pieces. On any given day, Atomic might have one of Verner Panton’s Cone chairs sharing floorspace with an abstract sculpture by Indian Canadian artist Janak Khendry, and a set of vessels by Indigenous glassblower and artist Michael ‘Two Rivers’ Robinson; jovial owner Lawrence Blairs can engagingly speak at length about each piece.

Penny Arcade

Best for: Minimalist tailoring and designer vintage
Address: 1177 Dundas Street West, Toronto M6J 1X3

There’s a hint of ‘90s minimalist cool that reverberates through Penny Arcade, an understated shop where racks don’t so much bulge as beckon. Owner Rachel Sheehan opened the store in 2008 as the neighbourhood began its transformation into a major shopping street. Her distinct vision hasn’t wavered since, with a focus on texture and cut. Stuart Weitzman mules taking up space with sleek black Escada suiting that would’ve fit Carolyn Bessette Kennedy to a T.

Nouveau Riche Vintage

Best for: Size-inclusive and cult-status vintage and unique Canadian designs
Address: 15 Adrian Avenue, unit 102 (around back), Toronto, Ontario M6N 5G4

By-appointment and with drop-in hours on Friday and Saturday, Nouveau Riche Vintage is a renowned trove of second-hand clothing for all ages and sizes. Owner Andrea Lalonde once worked in the art world, bringing a curator’s eye to her business’ offerings, which range from cheerfully priced casual pieces to archival wares by Betsey Johnson, Bill Blass and Missoni. The vestiary abundance in this unassuming industrial mixed-use building champions the history of style and often, its less famous names.

Situated in an up-and-coming neighbourhood, follow your visit with a trip to Dotty’s diner, a few blocks away.