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Sweetest deals

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clothing

Act Two 596 Mount Pleasant, 416-487-2486 Consider yourself something of a label whore? Better pop this number in your Blackberry, pronto. Drastically reduced high-end designer castoffs from the neighbourhood’s well-heeled make the trip uptown worth risking the nosebleed.

ASTRO 24 Kensington, 416-593-9860 Make your own T-shirt (and statement) with Astro’s collection of heat-transfer designs. Great vintage movie posters and ball gowns, too.

BLACK MARKET 38 Kensington, 416-596-6461, and others The definitive place for cool T-shirts, whether you like ’em with punk rock band names, 80s pop culture staples or slogans about how you love your grandma.

BRAVA 483 Queen West, 416-504-8742 A cute, laid-back vintage store for serious finds. Look for 50s beaded cardigans and 60s wool suits. Retro cheerleading uniforms – whoo-hoo.

BUNGALOW 273 Augusta, 416-598-0204 Trendy houseware/clothing outlet with 70s tea sets and silkscreened blazers. Dress and live like a member of the Strokes.

CABARET 672 Queen West, 416-504-7126 Vintage 20s bathing suits and men’s golfing gear – time travel just by opening the door of this gem.

CHOCKY’S 352 Queen West, 416-977-1831 2584 Yonge, 416-483-8227 The hookup for cheap PJs, onesies and undies for more than 50 years, the old Spadina Chocky’s has been replaced by two new stores.

CIRCA FORTY 456 Queen West, 416-504-0880 Adorable ensembles from years past. Check out the western-inspired plaid shirts and collection of skirts and dresses.

COURAGE MY LOVE 14 Kensington, 416-979-1992 Famous for its collection of beads, tie-dyed slips and handmade bags, perfect for the hippie look that’s oh so hot right now.

DANCING DAYS 17 Kensington, 416-599-9827 Get grooving in this store’s collection of vintage wares and tie-dyed tutus.

HOUSE OF VINTAGE 571 Queen West, 416-363-8343 Traditional wares in the front, hipster-oriented selection in the back room. All the basics: track jackets, cords and T-shirts. Coolest change rooms on the Queen West circuit.

ENDS 1930 Queen East, 416-699-2271, and others From wool overcoats to cargo shorts and all the cheapie tube socks in between, if you’re looking for reduced overstock items, this is the place to shop. Stock is unpredictable, so come often. Womenswear also offered.

EXILE 20 Kensington, 416-596-0827 Organized by item (leopard print coats, Lacoste polo shirts and kilts have their own racks), Exile also has a great selection of clever shirts and belts.

FLASH BACK 33 Kensington, 416-598-2981 The 70s are alive again in this Market fave. A great selection of sneakers, flared jeans and sunglasses.

Gadabout 1300 Queen East, 416-463-1254 If digging for treasure turns you on, get ready to overheat. Gadabout is jam packed with a red-hot booty of easy-on-the-wallet accessories and clothing, and the excavation is well worth the effort.

Goodwill 365 Bloor East, 416-362-4711, and others, www.goodwill.org Considered the godfather of thrift stores, this North American chain works two ways: super second-hand deals for you (scavenging required) while providing job placement/training for the disadvantaged and disabled.

GrReat stuff 870 Queen West, 416-533-7680 Attention, men. Grreat Stuff is an awesome little shop filled with sophisticated and way inexpensive menswear. For those few times when you need to look presentable but lack funds, this place will spruce you up.

HOLT RENFREW LAST CALL 370 Steeles West, 905-886-7444 The ultimate ends source provides the price point of a lifetime on Armani and the like.

Joe Singer Shoes 903 Bloor West, 416-533-3559, and 2852 Danforth, 416-693-6045 Two locations crammed full of women’s (sorry, fellas) leather shoes for work and club wear. Prices are often as low as $9.99!

Jo’s Clothes Consignment boutique 682 Queen East, 416-461-8703 Recycle your wardrobe by stocking up or unloading your wears at Queen East’s newest second-hand fave. While accessories are a strong point, there’s also a solid assortment of seasonal head-to-toe makings.

MARMALADE 44 Kensington, 416-979-8097 Good thing for you mods that Marmalade’s shift dresses and striped T-shirts are there while you wait to get your Vespa out of the shop.

McGREGOR SOCKS OUTLET 401 Wellington West, 416-593-5353 ext 344, and others You can have too many socks, but when they’re practically giving them away, consider disposable as a concept.

Melanie’s Closet 146 Brock, unit 302, 416-532-4231 For a vintage shopping experience like no other, this apartment-cum-boutique won’t disappoint. Not only does owner Melanie Janisse offer up a to-die-for selection and a good dose of charm, but if you come at the right time she’ll even make you waffles. Call before you drop in.

Off the cuff 5 Broadway, 416-498-4248 Pair an undercover uptown location with incredible gently used designer duds (from Prada kicks to Jill Sander suits) for a perfect example of shopping heaven. Don’t miss the clearance rack and $5 silk ties. Sorry, ladies – for men only.

Outlet Malls Skip Niagara Falls, NY, and spend your bucks on Canadian soil. For those on the east side, Woodside Mall (3105 Hwy 7, at McCowan) has a great Jacob Outlet and a huge Winners . Centrally located? The infamous Orfus Road (west of Dufferin) has great outlets at addresses from the mid-40s into the 100s. On the west side, Dixie Mall (1250 South Service Road) in ‘Sauga is a deal haven.

Paper Bag Princess 287 Davenport, 416-925-2603 A satellite location of Hollywood’s favourite vintage boutique, PBP boasts fabulously pristine designer garments and an A-list clientele. And while the prices are far from thrift shop, the goods are still cheaper than new. Definitely splurge-worthy.

Phase 2 Clothing 2383 Bloor West, 416-762-0970 Cool vintage, weird one-offs and all sorts of end-of-line pieces. New hats and sunglasses located near the check-out.

PRELOVED 613 Queen West, 416-504-8704 Reworked sweatshirts and bedspreads find a home in this hodge-podge collection of stunningly cool skirts, dresses and jackets. Treasures from trash that you can wear to the Drake.

Print Fine Vintage 834A College, 416-975-8597 While lacking in square footage, this teensy shop more than makes up for it with its killer selection of on-trend vintage picks. Always a good starting point if you’re looking to recreate runway-worthy ensembles. Need proof? Just check out the window displays.

RozAneh 799B College, 416-410-2406 A fiercely guarded secret amongst the fashion-forward, this intimate (read small and informal) shop boasts some of the best vintage designer pieces (yes, we mean Dior and other biggies) in the city, at très affordable prices.

Second Thoughts Clothing 503 Parliament, 416-963-9426 This Cabbagetown must-shop is the place to go for 50 per cent off on men’s and women’s retail goods (mostly seconds and factory samples). From jeans to evening wear, there’s something for everyone.

SHANTI 2 Kensington, 416-593-0318 Amazing selection straight from India. Look for scarves and Indian-inspired jewellery in a multitude of colours. Handmade sweaters and mittens come in handy once the temperature drops. Incense and oils make your basement apartment smell like the orient.

69 VINTAGE 1100 Queen West, 416-516-0669 More art gallery than vintage store, 69 Vintage stocks the crème de la crème in used clothing. A neat presentation of the store’s wares in a trendy atmosphere, with a cool selection of 70s track jackets.

STELLA LUNA 1627 Queen West, 416-536-7300 Everybody’s favourite for high-heeled shoes, 40s housedresses and pearl necklaces. Look like a lady and still look hot.

Sticks & Stones 1854 Queen East, 416-699-9611 If vintage jewellery (both faux and whoa) is what you’re after, look no further than this Beaches fave. Display cases line the room and represent the best styles (naturally, in great condition) from the Victorian era to the 80s. The knowledgeable service doesn’t hurt either.

Sunshine Deli 895 Dundas West, 416-364-8832 A nice addition to the burgeoning Dundas West retail scene. If you’re looking for sassy 80s pumps or any other fashionista must-haves (not to mention fashion inspiration from the staff), this sweet boutique is your ultimate hookup.

TOM’S PLACE 190 Baldwin, 416-596-0297 Suit up on the cheap at this Kensington Market landmark. Seriously cram-packed with bargain-priced menswear, it even offers on-site alterations. Watch for the two-for-one suit specials and worth-your-while warehouse sales. PS: They don’t mind a good haggle, so go for it.

TRIBAL RHYTHM 248 Queen West, 416-595-5817, and others It takes time to dig through this vintage lover’s dream for supreme clothing, but it’s worth a look. Cute accessories and sweaters are found alongside retro dresses and jackets.

Tuxedo Royale 3401 Dufferin, 416-785-7940, and others Need a monkey suit for your special occasion? Whether you rent or buy, the wide selection of styles, colours and sizes – plus super service (they even do house calls) – make this chain the first name on the lips of budget-conscious gents across the nation. Grooms’ tuxes are free. Nuff said.

Value Village 1319 Bloor West, 416-539-0585, and others A second-hand department store featuring a treasure trove of housewares, clothing, accessories and books. Get down early to the Lansdowne/Bloor location before everything is picked over. Good stuff goes fast.

Winners 57 Spadina, 416-585-2052, and others Ask anyone who has great style and chances are they’ll answer, “Winners!” The College Park location in particular carries a bevy of discount designer clothing, handbags and shoes – to name a few offerings of the notable chain store.

Decor

ADDISON’S 41 Wabash, 416-539-0612 Whether you’re looking for a claw-foot tub or just the claw foot, this is the place to score both.

DESIGNER FABRICS 1360 Queen West, 416-531-2810 Making your own clothes or window treatments? Designer Fabrics has the best textiles for less.

DOLLAR JOINT 1499 Gerrard East, 416-465-0915 From barware to underwear to hardware, this is the classic old-school dollar store.

THE ELEGANT GARAGE SALE 1588 Bayview, 416-322-9744 If mishmash rocks your world, this retail and consignment store is the place for you.

Gwartzman’s Canvas & Art Supplies 448 Spadina, 416-922-5429 Huge stretched canvases and a great selection of artists’ materials such as sable brushes, leather notebooks, paints, etc.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE 29 Bermondsey, 416-755-8023 1120 Caledonia, 416-783-0686 Salvaged home components – think fireplaces, sinks, lighting – at thrift store prices. Plus, the proceeds go directly to helping the community.

Honest Ed’s 581 Bloor West, 416-537-1574 Brightly lit, labyrinthine store best for housewares, but sells everything from carpets to shampoo – all ridiculously cheap.

JONG YOUNG 128 Avenue Road, 416-922-4421, KAY & YOUNG 136 Avenue Road, 416-922-5651 We’ve searched everywhere for a way to get more bloom for you buck, but nothing beats these perennial faves at Av and Dav.

PAUL WOLF ELECTRIC 775 King West, 416-504-8194 Over-the-counter service – à la the old Consumer’s Distributing – prevents any MacGyvered home jobs.

Super Sellers 474 Yonge, 416 925-5031 Pit stop dollar-store-esque beauty products and a large selection of discounted women’s designer bras, underwear, hose and athletic wear.

Books

New

You’re a student – you deserve a break. Here are some great deals at three of the city’s best bookstores.

TORONTO WOMEN’S BOOKSTORE 97 Harbord, 416-922-8744 TWB’s book club gives you 20 per cent off new titles every month. For info, go to www.womensbookstore.com. Great prices on used books for courses with stable reading lists. One of the last of a dying breed of women’s bookstores.

BOOK CITY 501 Bloor West, 416-961-4496, and others Book City’s card ($20 a year) gives you 10 per cent off everything except mags and newspapers and 20 per cent off hardcovers.

Pages 256 Queen West, 416-598-1447 The city’s best mags and cultural criticism. Ten per cent off regularly priced books with a valid student card. Sweet deals on remaindered books. Make yourself known and they’ll give you a reduced price on your purchases. www.pagesbooks.ca.

used

Looking to save the trees and some bucks at the same time? Then you’ll want to know about these used books stores and their specialities.

ABC BOOKS 662 Yonge, 416-967-7654 (pulp, lit)

Abelard Books 519 Queen West, 416-504-2665 (theology, classics)

ANNEX BOOKS 1083 Bathurst, 416-537-1852 (lit, especially Canlit)

Another Man’s Poison 29 McCaul, 416-593-6451 (artbooks)

ATTICUS BOOKS 84 Harbord, 416-922-6045 (scholarly)

BABEL BOOKS & MUSIC 123 Ossington, 416-533-9138 (poetry a plus)

BMV BOOKS 10 Edward, 416-977-3087 2289 Yonge, 416-482-6002 (quality remainders, art books)

BALFOUR BOOKS 601 College, 416-531-9911 (fashion, design)

ELIOT’S BOOKSHOP 584 Yonge, 416-925-0268 (three floors, T.O.’s biggest)

Jamie Fraser Books 427A Queen West, 2nd Floor, 416-598-7718 (mysteries, pulp)

ORION BOOKS 544 Yonge, 416-923-5537 (supernatural)

Recycled Book Shop 162 McCaul, 416-351-0802 (art and lit)

SEEKERS BOOKS 509 Bloor West, 416-925-1982 (As it sounds, New Age)

SHE SAID BOOM! 72 College, 416-944-3224 393 Roncesvalles, 416-531-6843 (philosophy, literature)

Ten Editions Books 698 Spadina, 416-964-3803 (Canadiana, children’s)

Triskelion 1081 Bathurst, 416-588-3727 (psychology, sci-fi, occult)

Send Sweet Deals tips to fashion@nowtoronto.com

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