Finding the best in Toronto is hard,

Alex Laws treats us to some key vintage shopping tips in Toronto.

The copy editor for Chatelaine Magazine was having a slight problem editing her own closet. It was overflowing with vintage dresses to the point that the door could not close – so naturally, we decided to take a peak at everything. Where does she get all these gorgeous items? And how does she get them for so cheap? This vintage vixen explained all her secrets to us, but highly warns not to get too carried away.

Pony: What’s your favourite vintage shop in Toronto?

Alex: I really enjoy the challenge of being able to find a good vintage piece; so a place like Goodwill is perfect because you’re not subjected to someone’s else’s opinion as to what ‘cool vintage’ is. The one at Sherbourne and Bloor is where I mainly go… actually that’s an understatement I’m practically their Goodwill ambassador haha. The people that work there, the customers – they’re such characters. You can tell who’s a regular just by looking around. There’s a network of us who’ll let each other know when companies like H&M have just dropped off a pile of stuff. I’ll easily spend $180 which sounds like a lot but with that I get: 16 dresses, 3 cardigans, 6 blouses, 2 skirts…the money goes a long way! But if you find it all a bit too daunting, there’s Badlands on Ossington, or Space Vintage on Markham St.

Pony: What do you look for when you’re shopping? How do you tell a good piece from a bad one?

Alex: For me, it just has to feel genuine. The fabric, the style, there’s something about it that’s so genuine it’s almost ugly. With half the stuff I pick up, my initial reaction is: “oh that’s gross” and I have to override that. But the most important thing for me is not so much figuring out what’s a “good” vs. “bad” piece, it’s more about finding the piece that you personally like and whether or not you feel good wearing it. If it fits well then you’ll realize you were meant to have it.

Pony: Do you have a favourite item this season? Or specific colours right now that you like?

Alex: I’ve been wearing a lot of pencil skirts recently, it’s hard with work to be able to represent your own style and still look professional. It took me a while to find that balance. I’ve got some other wild ones in my closet but if you’re just starting to get into vintage, you can pair one of these skirts with a plain black blazer and tights to help mute it.

Pony: So pencil skirts are a key item for work, any other items you wear to the office?

Alex: I’ve got a few long skirts as well, which go great with a plain jersey shirt. I love my bright clothes, especially now that summer’s over it’s a great way to stand out amongst everybody.

Pony: Do you find you have to alter the clothes you buy a lot of the time?

Alex: If I like it enough and feel that it’s a well-made piece for the price it’s being offered at, then I don’t mind paying the extra $20 to have it tailored. But generally, I’ll buy things that are more or less my size and I’ll wear it a few times to see if I can get away with it without having to take it in. I just go wild in the stores really.

Pony: How does vintage shopping in Toronto compare to England?

Alex: It feels like there’s more selection here. There were a few stores in London but there seemed to only be for costumes – high end ones. Whereas here, there’s more of that everyday wear, stuff you can get away with. I didn’t even realize I was only buying vintage when I moved here and somebody had to point it out to me!

Pony: What’s your favourite vintage item that you’ve purchased?

Alex: I’ve got this Barbie doll dress – it’s black with a big red rose on it. And at the bottom, it folds under itself like a tulip. I love it because it fits so perfectly; makes me look like I have boobs and a skinny waist! I bought that one after just coming out of hospital on lots of painkillers; which obviously affected my judgment at the time because it was unlike anything I ever owned. But that was seven years ago and it really opened a door for me to start experimenting with wilder fashions.

Pony: And a not-so-great purchase?

Alex: There have been a few. Mainly the pieces I can’t wear to work ever – this yellow dress I have is so wild, I’ve really only worn it for Halloween when some friends as I went as a rainbow: I went as the colour yellow. Maybe not my best buy.

Pony: What’s your indulgence when it comes to fashion? Some girls have shoes, you have…

Alex: I go straight for the dresses. There’s something so girly and special about wearing a dress. Ever since I was a little girl watching my mum get all dressed up I’ve just loved dresses. Although vintage shoes are great too – they tend to have leather soles so your feet don’t smell as much.

Pony: And what’s your advice to the people out there who are scared to wear something second hand?

Alex: You have to stop thinking about it as being strangers’ clothes. You wouldn’t think twice about borrowing a friend’s top for instance – just give it a wash before you wear it, and make sure you’ve bought something that works with the items and accessories you already have. You’d be surprised how often people react to the statement vintage pieces rather than something from a top designer. There’s a story behind it, a story that makes this item special and one of a kind.

Pony: And finally, what’s your favourite style decade for fashion?

Alex: My friends would kill me if I didn’t say the 80s. I mean, I love most decades and probably have a piece from each one, except maybe the 60s – too much polyester in that decade. I don’t care how good the reflection is, you must never buy something only made of polyester. But yes, the 80s, I remember as a kid having these big puffball skirts that my mum would buy me – but now I get to have my fun and buy what I want, big bows and things. I just like the ugly stuff, that’s my thing. I like what other people don’t want and I want the challenge of making them work.

XoXo
– The Cowgirls.

The Laws on Toronto Vintage5.051

Category: Clotheshorse, Dressage, Latest Goods · Posted by: Mushy Pony Tagged: Alex Laws, Badlands, Goodwill, Space Vintage on Monday, October 5, 2009 · 1 Comment »