For the average girl in the city, dressing for holiday
parties can be expensive and stressful. After another sleepless night of outfit
planning, it was time to go shopping. Holt Renfrew would have the perfect dress
for the perfect price, as would David’s and Browns. It would take me ten
minutes and I would magically be ready for anything.
Unfortunately, Holt Renfrew DID have the right dress,
however, the price was less than ideal. After a cold walk along Bloor Street,
and many shocking price tags, I gave up. I put my faith in my mother, the
serial shopper. She pointed me in the direction of Toronto’s best consignment
stores. The first one I arrived at, Fashionably Yours, had a great selection of
shoes, mostly in small sample sizes, but impeccably kept and very reasonable.
If you don’t care about buying last seasons Louboutins, this
place is perfect. For $300 I picked up the perfect pair of black pumps, they
would go with everything and the price couldn’t be beat.
Next, I went just down the street to ReMix, this place is
the mecca of ‘pre-loved’. Walls lined with couture in every possible color,
heels of all heights, a slightly pretentious but knowledgeable staff. Then I
see it, the most wonderful sign in the world. “Rentals on all items available”.
They explain to me that I can rent the dress, purse and
accessories I want for just 25% of the cost. I am in heaven. I now possess the
ability to get an outfit for every party, at a fraction of the cost. With the
fear of outfit repetition gone, and my credit card in hand, I rented the most
wonderful outfits, for every party.
The guilty pleasure that accompanies you when you are
complimented on a dress that is so far out of your budget, while laughing
inside as you remember the double-digit price you paid.
The consignment culture in Toronto is slowly growing, these
places are not well known, however, to those who make this part of their holiday
shopping trips, you will not regret it.
Francesca Bata Blyth
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