Vintage shops Toronto

The top 5 new vintage shops in Toronto for 2013 (so far)

Toronto vintage shopping is an ever-expanding, ever-evolving treasure hunt, and more people are opening shops and expanding the game all the time. It seems like there are new vintage shops cropping up each month, and the west end attracts some of the best of them. Think Fendi mules stacked next to vintage rock tees and $5 belts.

Here are five new shops to explore, all of which have opened their doors within the last few months.

Black Flower Vintage
Montreal import Sacha Laberge is giving a little love to men's fashion at Dundas and Ossington. Nestled in beside Churchill sits Black Flower Vintage, catering to men with adventurous sartorial spirits. Laberge just opened two weeks ago, and his stock is fantastic. There are brightly coloured scarf-print man blouses (and shirts), corduroys in '70s hues like rich brown and burgundy, and chunky silver jewelry. Laberge inspires dudes to take a risk and embrace an edge not often seen in men's fashion in Toronto, and his approach is a welcome change.

DuWest Vintage
On the still-tumbleweedy stretch of Dundas West, where the dust billows and lovely old Portuguese men come out to play, a new vintage shop has just bloomed. DuWest Vintage opened along the stretch three months ago. I get to chatting with co-owner Jose Paulino as he chills outside with an espresso, and he says their major focus isn't on a particular decade, but on keeping everything affordable. He's not lying: I spot a vintage Pink Floyd shirt for $12, and '90s mum bum shorts in floral denim for $10.

I Miss You Vintage
Previously, I Miss You was an Ossington staple. It's still on Ossington, but it moved its vintage collection a little further west to this outpost on Dundas West about five months ago. The collection focuses on garments from the '50s through to the '90s. My favourite pieces in the shop hail from those two eras, actually: a Pepto Bismol pink beaded sheath top ($49) and a black velvet halter dress that would be dearly beloved by Carrie Bradshaw.

Monarch Vintage
Bloorcourt may be somewhat newly-minted/under development when it comes to being a trendy neighbourhood, but Monarch is bringing some timeless style to the yard. They opened in mid-March, and the shop is bursting with polished gems. Journey blasts (ironically?) in the background when I pop in to explore, and I find the love of my life in an electric blue, suede, backless mini-dress. There's also a cropped denim jacket with floral trim and puffed sleeves ($30) that screams "Cher Horowitz."

Rosie the Rebel Boutique and Loveless
Rosie the Rebel and Loveless are two vintage-inspired boutiques in one space at Bloor and Dovercourt. While most of the stuff is new and inspired by the '50s and '60s, there is a rack of incredible vintage finds in the back. Highlights include a hot pink floral swimsuit from the '60s with a pointy bra, and a breezy sundress with a teensy floral pattern and a ruffle around the top ($30). If you're down with the newer items, Loveless is more rockabilly, while Rosie the Rebel is modern pinup. Top picks include trouser jeans with an authentically '50s shape (high waist, slightly baggy through the leg, $120) and a classic polka dot pinup dress in yellow ($69).

MAP



Photo from Monarch Vintage


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