In the age of Shein, Romwe and Zaful, it can be hard to find affordable clothes that don’t come at the heavy price of sweatshop labour, inhumane working conditions, resource depletion and ecological waste. If I were an out-of-touch Instagram influencer, this is where I would plug my sponsored partnership with an “ethical” clothing company that charges what most students spend on weekly groceries for one single T-shirt.

Good thing I’m a fellow university student trying to find warm clothes without spending all the money I saved from my last summer job. And something tells me that if you are reading this, you’re either an ecology-minded individual who wants to support slow fashion, a student living on a dime, or you love the rush of dopamine that finding a vintage piece at a thrift store gives you.

You’ll notice throughout this list a recurring theme of thrift stores losing their touch with reality and unreasonably cranking up the prices of their items to match the rise in upper-class demand. Abhishek Roy wrote a great article titled the “Rise of Thrifting: Solution to Fast Fashion or Stealing from the Poor?” discussing thrifting’s rise in popularity and its impact on people who use them out of necessity. And, if you’re in the mood for a spicy read, Hazel Cills from Jezebel published an article about the gentrification that’s often laced within thrifting.

Keeping this in mind, let’s explore which thrift stores in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough will best help you find clothes for cheap without compromising your values.

3. Talize on Chemong Road

Key features: good clothing variety; high prices; various discounts available.

Located on Chemong Road and accessible by bus lines 2A and 8, Talize is a large for-profit thrift retailer with various locations across Ontario. The great thing about Talize is that when you donate 1-2 large bags of clothes, you can get a $5 coupon off your next purchase over $25. Not only that, but you can also get 10% off your purchase with proof of valid student ID. Beware of the many overpriced items, though. It’s rare to come across shirts under $7-10 and pants under $15-20, and a lot of the overpriced items are faded and on the cusp of ripping in the back when you least expect it. Still, if you manage to find the right item that’s appropriately priced and use your student discount or a $5 coupon from donated clothes, then that’s a whole lot of savings.

Chances are that if you’re looking for it, Talize is likely to have a few varieties of it. With an especially large coat and jacket section, it’s a great place to check out right now for an affordable winter coat. Personally, I think the masculine sweater and flannel sections are the absolute best aisles. Talize also seems to be one of the easier thrift stores to access if you have low mobility, as there is a bus stop right on the curb next to the Talize entrance that has automatic doors, and the aisles are a bit wider since the store is on the larger side.

Bonus: the store is located relatively close to Walmart and other convenient stores, making your trip even more efficient.

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2. Vinnie’s on George Street North & Erskine Avenue

‍Key features: smaller inventory with better quality clothes; good prices; affordable home and kitchen items; student discount available.

Vinnie’s was my saving grace when I almost lost hope on finding affordable thrifted clothes (quite the oxymoron). There is a smaller Vinnie’s store located on George Street North (accessible by bus lines 6 and 11) and a slightly larger store on Erskine Avenue near the Lansdowne Mall that is accessible by bus lines 7, 8, or 9. Their George Street location is the closest thrift store to the Trent University campus area, making it one of the easier stores to travel to. While their Erskine location is wheelchair accessible, their George Street location is not, posing a serious accessibility barrier. I hope this will be addressed soon.

As for their inventory, I was able to score some hiking-style winter boots for $14.99 two years ago and a pair of high-waisted corduroy pants for $4.99 earlier this year at their Erskine location that I still won’t shut up about. All of the items I’ve come across have been fairly priced according to their condition, and most of the items line up with what you would see on cute “inspo” Instagram posts (think of high-waisted pants, sweaters, 2000’s inspired tops, etc.). Best of all, they also offer a 10% discount with proof of valid student ID.

The only downside is that due to its smaller size and inventory, Vinnie’s tends to sell out of its hot items quickly. With that being said, I’ve never left the store empty-handed even if I didn’t find what I was originally coming for. Which is probably not a good habit to have, but my point is that they always seem to have interesting items in-store. Because Vinnie’s is less well-known compared to some other thrift stores in the city, this might be the place to hit if you feel like you’ve given up hope in the other stores.
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1. Value Village on Lansdowne Street West

‍Key features: lots of affordable clothing options of different styles and sizes; large selection of affordable home and kitchen items; membership program and various discounts available.

If you’re looking for a place to find wardrobe staples, home goods, and the odd, marvellous piece at a cheaper price, this is the one. The Value Village on Lansdowne Street West (accessible by bus routes 8 and 7) is quite reliable when it comes to keeping a diverse inventory. If you’re looking for something in-season, like a fall jacket or shorts in the summer, you will definitely find some varieties of it at the store, and there are higher chances it might even be the style you wanted. They have a good inventory of different sizes and styles ranging from dresses to workout gear and scrubs. The clothes vary in prices and condition, with old sweatpants sometimes being marked at $16 and some gently used tops at only $2-7, but with some light digging you can easily find good deals. They also have a membership club that will send you a coupon on your birthday via email! 

Although they don't have a student discount, I have found their prices to be generally very affordable for the condition of the items. They also have large home, decor, and kitchen sections with very cheap items that can save you and your roommates from some misery if you’re in an off-campus situation. 

The store and aisles are large, making this store easier to navigate if you experience low mobility. They have clear signs saying they allow service dogs, which should be a given, but unfortunately, too many places in Peterborough insist on throwing temper tantrums when they find out that disabled people have rights.

Bonus: since it’s near the Lansdowne Mall and various grocery stores, you can really make the most of your trip in the South End.   

With Talize in third place, Vinnie’s in second and Value Village in first, we can now hopefully navigate the sea of thrifting in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough with a bit more clarity. Since thrifting is integral to the lives of low-income individuals (myself included, and maybe you too!), let’s remember that thrift stores were created as a means to break down classist barriers and make affordable, dignified shopping available to more people. With more awareness and advocacy around this issue, my hope is that we will be able to help de-gentrify our neighbourhoods and ensure these resources are available to everyone.

Happy affordable, socially-conscious thrifting my friend!