Thrifty To Luxe: The Best Shops & Boutiques In Vancouver

If you thought Vancouver was just about snow crested mountains and dense temperate forests, you will be pleasantly surprised.

They don’t call Vancouver “the Manhattan of Canada” for nothing. From unique vintage super stores with retro attire to luxury boutiques that have sold to the Queen of England, here are the top clothing boutiques on the mainland of Vancouver.

 Wildlife Thrift Store

This family-owned shop is a favorite for locals, with a variety of commodities including: clothes, furniture, books, and obscure trinkets. If there is only one thrift store you can stop by on your trip, Wildlife Thrift Store is the one. If you’re not sold on it yet, the store donates to local neighborhood charities. So if you feel bad about spending money, at least it’s for a good cause and I can promise you will find treasures that you never would have expected.

Secret Location Concept Store

From the name of this store, you would think that it must be a hidden gem in an overflowing city. Secret Location, however, is more like a brightly shining diamond. Ironically, it is one of Vancouver’s more well-known stores. Applauded for its craftsmanship, this Canadian luxury concept store has achieved much success. Located in the glamorous Gastown just to the left of the famous Bronze Gassy Jack Statue, this brand takes timeless pieces and adds an abstract ideas to its clothing. Rated highly in both sustainability and quality, Secret Location is not one you want to skip.

Growing from a small haberdashery in Quebec City in 1837 to a nationwide empire in the present day, Holt Renfrew has a rich history. The three-story store is home to high-end apparel, with frequent collaborations with brands, including: Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Christian Dior. This store is for the elite of Canada, by elite, I mean it used to sell clothing to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Just because Holt Renfrew comprises garments fit for a queen doesn’t mean that the rest of the world isn’t welcome, it just signifies that this particular store might be out the price range for commoners. Even if you don’t have the dough to spend, it is still well worth perusing its unique fashion pieces while gaining inspiration.

For those of us who are not royalty but still love fashion with a more affordable price tag, then Mintage is the perfect substitute. Mintage is the go-to for vintage clothing in Vancouver, with fresh new pieces arriving daily so you never run out of clothing racks to flip through. The only problem with this place is: you never know what to expect when you arrive but if you are looking for a nostalgic look, this is definitely the store for you.

8^th & Main is another independent, affordable boutique which began on Vancouver Island but after much success, stores have sprung up all over the country. Selling stock from Denmark to Australia, these pieces are more worldly than what you’ll discover in typical Vancouver boutiques, but that is what adds to 8^th & Main’s appeal. Here’s a wide range of brand name pieces to choose from and prices you can’t say no to.