Today is Earth Day.
To mark the occasion, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite pre-loved Canadian fashion sellers.
The fashion industry is a huge contributor to climate concerns — what with overproduction, textile waste, microplastics, carbon emissions, etc. Shopping preloved can offer a great way to enjoy fashion without buying into the full fast-fashion cycle.
That said, I get that sifting through racks at the local thrift store isn't everyone's idea of a fun shopping day. Thankfully, there are a growing number of small businesses that cater toward offering curated selections of pre-loved pieces.
With an eye for finding fashionable items that have had a life before your closet — and can also enjoy a long life in your's — here are five of my favourite preloved sellers, plus one eco-conscious Canadian fashion line for those who aren't yet ready to shop vintage but are eager to find an environmentally friendly line.
Collective Will
Vancouver-based Collective Will offers a curated collection of fashion finds from brands both big and small (they recently had a vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase that was divine!). Founder Randa Salloum handpicks the pieces, ensuring that every item on offer is a covetable, collectable fashion find.
Gather
With both an online presence and a bricks-and-mortar store Gather offers a mix of preloved pieces — think lived-in Levi's, cool cowboy boots and maybe a vintage Dior. Founder Lauren Lee styles both the finds and her feed/store to perfection, also sprinkling a few new finds from slow fashion brands into the mix.
Mine & Yours
Another Vancouver shopping option that has both in-store (two shops, to be exact) and online offerings, Mine & Yours provides an elevated fashion experience for secondhand shoppers. The newest location, on Davie Street in Yaletown, even boasts a floor-to-ceiling handbag wall filled with designer finds from the likes of Chanel, Dior, Gucci and more. I've bought and sold several items here. Safe to say, it's a personal favourite.
Modaselle
If you love luxury handbags, watches, jewellery and the like, you're going to want to check out Modaselle. The Vancouver preloved boutique regularly stocks a covetable collection of the aforementioned investments fashion finds. I've also bought and sold several times here throughout the years, even finding a piece or two that I'd been dreaming about along the way.
VSP
While I've yet to personally shop here, I've long lusted after the perfectly edited selection at VSP in Toronto. The styling/photography of the pieces is always superb. (Like magazine-worthy!) And they always seem to offer an amazing selection of designer finds.
Ecologyst
As promised, for those who would prefer to shop new, Vancouver Island-based brand Ecologyst is a must-explore. The brand is built on pillars of sustainability, offering locally produced pieces made from natural textiles that are designed and made to stand the test of time.
What are some of your favourite preloved retailers?
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