I think space to change, evolve, and grow is necessary in university. It can be an opportunity to reinvent yourself or delve even deeper into your interests – and now you can shop for yourself to support these new hobbies. I grew up in a way I’d like to describe as an extroverted homebody that didn’t go out of my comfort zone. Granted, my comfort zone was quite big, but I stuck to what I knew and was good at.
When my family moved to Kelowna and I started going to UBCO, I realized I didn’t do much outside of hanging out with my family, school, church, and work. These are all priorities to me, but I wanted to explore! I tried going to more live music shows with my friends; this made me realize I love punk shows. I tried going outside more (LOL… I’m dead serious); this made me realize I love biking and hiking. I bought a digital camera (off Facebook Marketplace, duh!); this deepened my love for documenting. All this said, I wanted to lean into my new interests and didn’t have much to wear. I’m sure this is a feeling a lot of us can relate to.
Whether that’s really grounding yourself in your interests and identity or trying completely new things to help reflect who you’re becoming outwardly… the idea of that can be a bit overwhelming. Personally, I’m a firm believer in delving into who we are through thrifting! It’s a more cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to feed into our individuality complexes. And it’s also a great way to dig our claws into the rich culture of local businesses in Kelowna.
Here’s a list of 12 transit-accessible thrift stores to check out – that aren’t Value Village (categorized for your ease):
Budget-friendly:
-
- Here’s one of my personal faves. MCC has really great prices and really kind staff. You can find an assortment of items besides clothes like planters, home decor, furniture, fabrics, and knitting/crocheting materials!
-
- Mission Thrift is great because their layout is very spacious and well-organized. You can find some good outdoor attire here and they have an extensive jewelry collection.
-
- I honestly think you can find ANYTHING at S.H.A.R.E. I’ve seen some really cool band and sports tees. Recently, I found a vinyl record that I’m giving to my friend as a gift! They even have a floor dedicated to home goods, books, and office supplies! Be sure to grab a stamp card while you’re there to get discounts during future visits.
-
- I go to the Women’s Shelter Thrift Store often. It’s a great place to shop and support the Women’s Shelter at the same time! My favourite section is their $1 aisle, where I’ve found some of my most go-to pieces of clothing (and I will not gatekeep that from you).
-
- Salvation Army is not a local thrift store, but it’s still transit accessible, so I’m going to include it. Their pricing can be great or a bit pricey, but you can usually find some good deals! I’ve gone here mostly for clothing, but they do have variety.
-
- iThrift’s motto is #MakeThriftingCheapAgain – which is so real! Alongside great deals, they have some cute stickers and pins to look through at the front of the store.
-
- KGM is a great spot to find formal dresses, in my experience. I found a dress I could wear to the prom I didn’t get to experience (#2020grad) for $12.
- @seamlessfashionclub Closet Initiative ?
-
- Seamless Fashion Club at UBCO runs an initiative, called Closet, throughout the winter semesters. Students can give their pre-loved clothing and take it as they wish! Reach out if you’d like to donate or grab something for yourself. ?
See the budget locations in action: Thrift a hiking outfit with me for less than $30.
Trendy, but higher-end prices
- Facebook Marketplace
-
- Facebook Marketplace is a great option if you have something trendier and more specific you’re looking for. It can be a bit pricey, depending on what you’re looking for, but I’ve also found one-off insane deals. You can also find different things to kickstart a new hobby: a bike, guitar, or a Nintendo Switch! My advice is: don’t be afraid to negotiate!
-
- This is another non-local business, but still a more feasible option with clothes that are a bit more curated and trendier, if that’s your jam. Plato’s Closet is also a great option if you want to consign the clothes you don’t wear anymore.
-
- Lost Together is like a super curated experience of mostly vintage items. They have some beautiful pieces from local vintage sellers as well.
-
- This is another curated consignment store. You can find vintage and current styles. It’s on the higher-end price-wise, but you can still find more affordable pieces than retail!
Upcycling what you already have or your thrift store is also a great option to re-invent your wardrobe.
Whatever your reasons are, thrifting or buying secondhand items is a great way to try new things! As a more feasible option, it’s still good to be continuously mindful of what we’re buying – making sure it’ll get lots of love. Happy thrifting, Kelowna! <3
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Mendoza is a transfer student in her second year of the Media Studies program and loves telling stories. She really enjoys personality tests, anything to do with pop culture, and trying new foods! Her favourite thing to do in Kelowna is taking long walks on the beach and buying overpriced coffee <3
