I live to shop! A guide to vintage shops we love in Toronto

Sweeties and darlings, hello I’m Cam Lee, a Costume Designer and artist. I am reporting LIVE from a tiny café, typing away fervently to deliver you the absolute best of the best for Toronto’s vintage and second hand shopping. While your thrift store chains, and consignment shops are abundantly available as options, I am focusing on independently run shops, whose owners and staff offer unique takes on all things Fashion and Style. This is all from my humble, modestly  professional opinion. What’s Good, Cam Lee? Allow me to unlock the gates, hun…

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The Short & Sweet List of it all (in alphabetical order, of course):

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96 TEARS (1319 Dundas St W)
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Nobody does it like 96 Tears. Their look is a mix of street urchin couture and 1970s skater boy hustler. Their eye for design feels both evergreen consistent and ahead-of-the-trends essential. Beautiful tailored menswear trousers, paired with an avant-romantique poof tunic by Toronto design duo SAMPLE GARMENTS, paired with some devastatingly bitch 90s Tom Ford Gucci esque slingbacks, an inhouse made salvaged denim “hobo” bag and a stolen from the cottage glass to sip your drinkie. Cheers, sweeties!

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CHOSEN (1599 Dundas St W)

Visionary, and inclusively priced, Chosen is distinct for their high standards of quality and condition for stock that lands on the racks. Loosely focused on wardrobe staples with a healthy dose of Power Witch 80s-90s LQQKS. I recently bought the perfect black ultrasuede HALSTON overshirt. Don’t be jealous, go find yourself a halo item! Think statement pieces like superb jackets, trench coats and denim, with a rack of  lingerie and even housewares too! Without sounding too woo-woo, there is something to the effect of a Cocteau Twins mood in the selections and mood of Chosen’s clothing. “Menswear” is within the umbrella of clothing choices, as is an in-store selection of vintage magazines, art books and adult ephemera, care of CHEZ MOI. The Choice is yours, darlings.

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COURAGE MY LOVE (14 Kensington Ave)

Happy 50th Anniversary to this trove of clothing, jewelry, shoes and gifts.
Be sure to check the shoes and boot selection, which is replenished frequently.
Toronto Nightlife Socialite and writer Shaleel found the perfect pair of Polo Opera Pumps, in a dainty size 13 for a mere $35. Slippers fit for a girlie of discriminating taste. Bonus: Cece, the shop buyer, does custom tie dye cashmere sweaters for winter, and an assortment of customized garments from salvaged textiles. As mentioned, their prices are from another time, complimentary.

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DOG PARK SHOP (222 Spadina Ave Unit 23Az)

Tucked away on the ground floor of the Chinatown Mall, DOG PARK SHOP is a feast for the eyes and a terror for the credit card. Picture a 3D graffiti piece, festooned with the sexiest range of Japanese designer, out-there cheap-chic trash, and a healthy dose of 90s Ralph Lauren Polo. The very well informed shop owner Caelan will school you ever so gently, while playing the best Boogie vinyl to keep you in a state of bliss. I was gagged when I found a hi-vis pink-purple-chartreuse lurex knit ICEBERG top, then thoroughly gutted when I looked down to find an 80s THIERRY MUGLER funky punky bottle cap brooch! You have been warned, this is a deadly shop of fashion glory. 2 DIE 4!

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EXPO VINTAGE (1450 Dundas S W) (1978 Dundas W -by the pound)

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This punk rock palace is flooded with stellar workwear, shirts, trousers, jeans and Tshirts to drop jaws. This guy had an early 70s deadstock BRIAN ENO tshirt that i regret not snatching up. I am currently strutting away happily in a pair of high waisted denim bellbottoms thanks to artist and shop clerk LUKE VANNY, who enabled my dream denim purchase. The by-the-pound location is also a music venue, and all around social hub. Plus, both locations are licensed so you can sip on the champagne of beers and revel in the cool-guy shop, while watching a vhs from the library they have behind the bar. Friggin’ eh!

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FAT BABES TORONTO (222 Spadina Ave Unit 102G)

Literally everyone knows that the fat and fashionable have been developing a strong network of shop lists, markets and stand alone stores. This seedling shop opened in September 2025, but it’s on the radar for punchy branding and now destination status Chinatown Mall inclusion. Honestly, between Kensington, Dundas West and now the Spadina Ave haven, you’d better get in there NOW! They recently participated in the PLUS SIZE MARKET in late October, and hopefully will continue. They’re on my watch list of fabulosity, and I can’t wait to check them out, afterall, gift-mania-season fast approaches.

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FREAK (581 College St)
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Calling all FREAKS! This newly opened shop is giving live fast, stay GLAM. Freak updates their stock of excellent Y2K handbags, Cool Guy motocross jackets, statement pants, and with a clever eye for designs that shadow much more expensive vintage designer pieces. Bit of everything for your gender du jour. The design of the shop itself is truly unique, think of a Prada Runway designed by Rem Koolhaas, artfully scrubbed walls, gallery style lighting, and the best looking changeroom curtains, period. My biggest regret was that my hooves were slightly too large for a pristine pair of 1970s black FRYE ankle boots. I walked away very pleased with a 76 Montreal Olympic track zip up. Shaleel has eyes on some MARC JACOBS early 2000s purses… Freak Out! Le FREAK, c’est CHIC!

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JASPA SHOP (222 Spadina Ave. Unit 23B)

Once you’re finished (for now) clothing your temple-like body, you may want to browse in this trove of all things unique and remarkable. An eclectic mix of true antique items and unusual finds, textiles, furniture, sculpture and all things necessary for a fabulous interior. Jaspa Shop is for those whose tastes are not so caught in the flippantly trendy. A must. I have my eyes on a few items, including a 1930s custom made floor lamp/side table. Divine!

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NOUVEAU RICHE VINTAGE (15 Adrian Ave unit 102)

The Maman of all things lurex rainbow deluxe, it’s no secret that I cut my teeth chez Nouveau.

Always stocked with seasonal essentials- cashmere for winter! An openly queer business since day one, look out for unique and chic items, presented with flair. Ask about their stock of vintage couture, if you dare…

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PIC VINTAGE (1338 Dundas St W)

PIC is run by a chic man, whose taste is immediately read from outside. The window displays a tv monitor with vintage runway footage, and their latest finds that read as fashion first, despite being vintage. Their stock is neatly organized, from perfectly men’s shorts, to designer shoes and handbags. There is always a splurge-worthy item to gush over. Plus their location is surrounded by terrific bars and hang out spots, with excellent people watching.

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PRINCESS VINTAGE (Online Sales)

An encyclopedia of all things New York to Tokyo  style, Princess specializes in rare Tshirts, sneakers and outerwear. I purchased a pair of GIRL brand skater denim that i have been coveting since I was a skater-loving poser in the late 1990s. Online sales and occasional in person markets mean PRINCESS is one to watch. The crown may soon be yours.

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‍RACKET VINTAGE (15 Adrian Ave Unit C1)

For the Gay Guy in your life, or Leather Lover extraordinaire, RACKET specializes in gay-coded Ts, classic leather bar attire, and often hosts special events for queer zines. I bought a pair a sexy Dad jeans and a 70s watch-your-man glitter iron on text that reads
HE IS ONLY WITH YOU BECAUSE HE HASN’T MET ME YET. A hard man, and a perfect leather jacket, is good to find.

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SECOND VOYAGE VINTAGE (2039 Danforth Ave)

I am an East End Toronto Gay born and raised, and simply must shout out Second Voyage Vintage. The East will always have my heart, mostly for it being an excellent trove of vintage spots, and for it being more relaxed in general.

Second Voyage does seasonal, thoughtful vintage, particularly 90s, think ROOTS, Ralph Lauren. They also carry gifts, housewares and knowing all of that, plus the cute factor of the Danforth in general, Second Voyage is worth a first, second and many more shopping visits.

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tagstarr (Online and events)

One to watch! tagstarr was co-founded by divas and DJs Christina Mac & Sophie Jones, stylish gays with something to say! Think fast, sexy, graphic. Motocross at the club. This one is definitely not for wallflowers. Keep an eye on their Instagram, big things cominggggg.

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THE WINDOW (Online sales)
From a peerless mind and writer Amy Blaxland is a style icon, who often sources sexy, elegant designer and fine fabric items that recall the best-of-the-best from 70s, 80s, 90s, Y2K designer - Escada, Moschino, Cavalli, JPG, St Laurent and lesser-known designers that will have you enchanted and romanced. The Window sells mostly online, but the items are so enviable, your reasoning brain with be overridden by the carnal impulse to be the sexy vamp you need in order to thrive in this often grey city. An intellectual sexpot, The Window woman is Carolyn Bissett, with a wit and taste for the erotic, finer things. Indulge if you dare.

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CONSIGNMENT CUTIES
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‍VSP (1410 Dundas Street W)

GARB (1046 Queen St W)

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BONUS GTA

POLYESTER PLUS (Hamilton - 332 James St)

Picture PeeWee’s Playhouse by way of John Waters, with a dose of Dennis Rodman and Strawberry Switchblade. POLYESTER PLUS specializes in Plus Sized second hand and vintage clothing for all genders, with incredible gifts, including vintage old stock PeeWee trading cards, cool jewelry, zines, mugs and all things Garfield. They often host PLUS SIZED markets in Toronto, with a cornucopia of Plus Size vendors. Trust me, this shop is a real destination spot. I am obsessed with my BELIEVE era CHER tshirt, one of my most prized possessions. Get yer buns to Hamilton! Try the pickle pizza while you’re there.

If we missed your fave queer or queer-ish vintage shop, let us know and DM us on IG!