Whether it’s a function of a penny-pinching populace or a streetwise fashion sense, options for excellent vintage cool-hunting abound in Hamilton. Nowadays, even the moneyed are ducking into local consignment stores in an attempt to whittle away their mammoth Visa balances. But regardless of your tax bracket, mixing some good vintage into your wardrobe never goes out of style.
Those new to the rigours of vintage shopping would do to remember a few things. First, you have to dig, sometimes literally, for the best finds. It’s rare to breeze in and out of a used clothing store with an armful of the good stuff in less than 15 minutes. Take your time, and if you’ve got something specific you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask the clerk for help. These are often the people that liberated the items from garage sale tables and old clothing warehouses in the first place.
Prepare for imperfection. Your most stellar discoveries will usually require a little love and understanding before they return to their former glory. Remember that many of these garments have, as a best-case scenario, been sitting in a grandmother’s basement for decades. Prepare yourself for seams that may need re-stitching, a possible trip to the dry cleaners, and a necessary shot or two of Febreze at the bare minimum.
A few best bets:
Out of the Past – 185 King St. W., Hamilton
Since 1993, Out of the Past has led the herd as a beloved destination for crusty punks to flush fashionistas and everyone in between. Pinup-style wiggle frocks, ghastly 1970s polyester shirts, 1980s rock t-shirts, funky faux fur wraps and plenty of other fashion detritus are neatly racked and categorized. Also carries a full range of body jewelry and the widest selection of fishnet stockings in the GHA. New stock every week and the stuff is priced to move.
St. Vincent de Paul – 461 Cumberland Ave. , Hamilton
A bit off the downtown track, this charity houses a small vintage clothing store full of the kind of clothes you would find in your grandparent’s attic. Piles of costume jewelry and polyester getups handed down by generations of housewives abound, and there’s always a good selection of dusty bodice-ripper paperbacks and LPs you never knew existed. Entirely worth the required digging.
Déjà Vu – 262 King St. W. , Hamilton
Owner Louis Leonowens opened shop in 1983, and Déjà Vu’s street cred among vintage diehards is well-deserved. Racks of vintage Levis, leather jackets and gloriously gaudy dresses are in vast supply. Leonowens’ yearly pilgrimages to South Asia yield cases of exotic jewelry, incense and knick-knacks to add a little far-flung kitsch to your look and abode.
Value Village – 2340 Fairview St., Burlington; 530 Fennell Ave. E., Hamilton; 840 Queenston Rd., Stoney Creek
A veritable warehouse stuffed with, well, stuff. Carries housewares, small appliances, books and records, as well as clothing and shoes. As a bonus, the clothing is sorted into categories and loosely by size, but expect to pay a bit more for this courtesy. The Burlington location is filled with stock a little less plundered than its Hamilton locations. Timid shoppers beware: Value Village regulars are a voracious lot – keep a firm stance and your elbows in!
Talize - 1428 Upper James St., Hamilton
The tidier, slightly pricier cousin of Value Village, Talize is perfect for the contemporary nuts and bolts of any closet. What the stock is lacking in personality is made up for in its near-perfect condition and is meticulously racked by size, colour and category. Best suited for those needing to plump up their work wardrobe or families with children outgrowing their clothing week by week. A bit pricier than your usual roll-up-your-sleeves-and-dig vintage shop, but the orderly atmosphere and quality of the goods make it worth few dollars.
