Thrift shopping is having its moment in the spotlight. In the era of mass trends and fast fashion, more and more people are buying pre-loved (for a good reason). Not only is it a great way to develop a unique, vintage sense of style for too-good-to-be-true prices but, by buying secondhand, we're also keeping clothes and homeware out of the landfill. Plus, who doesn't love the thrill of an exciting thrift-shop find? From vintage lamps to affordable knick-knacks, tracking down one-of-a-kind items for next to nothing feels so good. Plus, vintage pieces have a way of jazzing up your home and wardrobe in ways that big department store pieces simply can't. Best of all, nabbing these thrift finds is easy. With an array of thrift shopping options both in-store and online, we can now shop secondhand as easily as we've always shopped new. No matter which Goodwill you're closest to, you can score some vintage flair for your wardrobe or apartment without breaking the bank. Plus at not-for-profit thrift stores like Goodwill, you’re also not paying any GST! In the name of style on a budget, here are 13 vintage treasures you can find at your local Canadian thrift stores. 1. Terracotta Vases & Plant Pots Give your place an effortless homey feel with terracotta plant pots, vases, and other accessories. The not-quite-red, not-quite-orange, shade of baked clay has become one of the hottest trends of 2020. View this post on Instagram So listen I have a confession to make. I hate to admit this but in the midst of keeping my son alive I have managed to kill almost all of my plants. 🥺I try to be a good plant mom but something isn’t working. I’ve got dried out plant kids, overwatered plant kids, even plant kids with fruit flys 😳 ugh. Calling out to all #plantmomsofinstagram help me out, what are the easiest house plants to keep alive?! 🤞🏽🍃 • • • • • #mycjla #cjlagirls #mybohoabode #mymidcenturymix #plantsplantsplants #simplymamahood #ikeahome #doingneutralright #thedelightofdecor #mymotherhood #myspaceanddecor #myhometrend #myhyggehome #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #thehappynow #makehomeyours #makingmyhaven #pocketsofmyhome #documentyourdays #plantmom #plantlady #plantlove #lifewithlittles #livecreatively A post shared by Shae| Mom 🌞Home + recipes (@shaelynnmae) on Aug 18, 2020 at 6:48pm PDT 2. Murano Mushroom Lamps Available from anywhere between $100-$700 in big-name department stores, the highly sought after Murano mushroom lamp is one of those inexpensive thrift-shop finds you'll think about for years to come. There have been reports of people finding lamps like these at Goodwill for as little as $15. View this post on Instagram The love for lamps designed decades ago.. I’m the kind of person who prefers no lamp until I find the one.. Two of my favorites at home are these two.. Murano Mushrooms lamp designed in the 70s and the Serge mouille designed one the 50s. I always look for vintage lamps firsthand. I feel they’re so timeless and everlasting. What kind of “lamp person” are you..? Is that even a thing? Lampperson..🙄 . . . . . . #muranolamp #designerlamp #designclassics #interiordetails #timelessstyle #sergemouille #inredningsdetaljer A post shared by 𝙻ï𝚗𝚊 𝙿𝚊𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚘 (@linapaciello) on Jul 29, 2020 at 7:54am PDT 3. Rattan Furniture Light fixtures, peacock chairs, wicker lamps — the trend is popping up everywhere from Instagram to big-name stores, but you don't have to dig deep into your pockets to add it to your home. Rattan furniture can be found at pretty much any thrift store in Canada; and, best of all, it'll instantly turn your space into a Tahitian beach resort for practically nothing. View this post on Instagram SOLD Plant stand #3 😍 I will be so sad to see you go. Can hold two plants or a plant and a cute little storage basket on the bottom. Solid & sturdy & stunning. $85 - local pickup only A post shared by Vintageloveaffair (@vintageloveaffair_) on Aug 27, 2020 at 11:16am PDT 4. Vintage Books Is your coffee table looking a little uninspiring? Give it some pizazz with a few vintage cookbooks and magazines from your nearest Goodwill store. View this post on Instagram Heard it was #nationalthriftshopday! For anyone new to thrifting, here are a few of my favourite shops in Edmonton and area: Decor & furniture: • @findyeg • SouthPark Goodwill • St. Albert Value Village* Clothes & accessories: • St. Albert Value Village* • Sherwood Park Value Village* Vintage/antique/consignment clothes, decor, furniture, etc: • Old Strathcona Antique Mall • Etsy/Depop • Local Instagram shops *Note: I realize that there a lot of different ethical considerations that come into play when choosing secondhand shops (ex. Value Village is FOR-profit). I’d like to support more non-profit/local stores in the future, but ultimately buying secondhand from anywhere is still a win and the most sustainable way to shop. A post shared by Marly E. (@marly.e___) on Aug 17, 2020 at 4:29pm PDT 5. Copper & Brass Everything If you feel like your home is missing some warmth, incorporate some copper into your rooms with vintage mugs, plant pots, or lampshades. You'll find eye-catching copper and brass everything at nearly every thrift store. View this post on Instagram Copper mugs $10 A post shared by Northern Thrift Co. (@northern.thriftco) on Aug 23, 2020 at 4:11pm PDT 6. Trendy Vintage Picture Frames Embrace your inner Pinterest by mixing and matching different vintage picture frames. Check out a few different thrift stores to get a variety of frames and hang them in your living room for stunning decor that'll leave your guests in awe. View this post on Instagram Charm 💐 A post shared by Basma Hijazi-Penner 💪🏿🌪 (@mymamalifts) on Jul 31, 2020 at 2:55pm PDT 7. Vintage Chairs Complete that mid-century modern look you're going for with a pair of vintage Wassily chairs or a stand-out antique loveseat you can use as your statement piece. There's nothing quite like a gorgeous chair with character. Goodwill Alberta 8. Depression Glassware A green translucent wine glass, an amber-hued bowl with intricate patterns, a pale yellow dinner plate — this is the vintage glassware you're seeing all over Instagram. And no, it doesn't cost a fortune; you can buy it in your local Goodwill for cheap! Plus, it'll make your apartment look trés cool. View this post on Instagram I have been organizing and decorating our home like a crazy person, because, why not?! Finally finding homes for some of my favourite thrift finds 😍 Anyone else going on a cleaning/organizing/decorating spree while social distancing?? A post shared by h e l e n a ⋒ (@helena_hinton.jpeg) on Apr 2, 2020 at 11:33pm PDT 9. Vintage Clothes It's a well-known fact that the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in modern society. By purchasing vintage clothes at your local thrift store, you're helping to reduce the chemical pollution and water waste associated with today's fashion production methods. Plus, you'll look chic while doing it. View this post on Instagram 𝟏𝟎 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 1. You find cool & unique pieces that make you stand out 2. You can find a variety of sizes and not be limited to the way that one brand fits 3. It’s so FUN- literally like winning the lottery when you find a dope item 4. It’s cheaper than buying new (usually) 5. There are always diff styles - not just what’s “trendy” that month 6. It’s better for the environment 7. It’s good for the community- especially local shops (provide jobs, donate back to community initiatives) 8. Allows you to explore your style/ experiment with diff looks 9. It’s a conversation starter (I’ve connected with so many of YOU over this) 10. You develop patience lol (good things come to those who search) What would you add to the list? Why do 𝐲𝐨𝐮 thrift?? And if you 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 currently thrift, have I convinced you yet? 😜 A post shared by Sara | CAREER + MONEY COACH (@sarafulmore_) on Oct 2, 2019 at 2:11pm PDT 10. Woven Accessories Summer 2020 has been the year of woven accessories. From rattan handbags to bamboo purses, this ubiquitous trend can be found in almost every high-street store, but did you know you can nab this at your local Goodwill for at least half the price? View this post on Instagram Woven purse $15 A post shared by Northern Thrift Co. (@northern.thriftco) on Aug 23, 2020 at 4:10pm PDT 11. Vintage Lamps The perfect addition to any room, vintage lamps give your space that warm, homey feel that can be hard to create with pieces from big department stores. Best of all, you can get them on great deals — sometimes for $5 or less. View this post on Instagram I can’t. It’s just my fave. And it’s not even “done”. This whole room is getting a makeover(a big one), and so far just this corner is making me giddy. ☺️ Saving up money this month, selling items that don’t bring joy so I can makeover this room with thrifty treasures that DO bring joy! Can’t wait to start 🙏 #wickerplanter #familyroom #library #gamesroom #livingroom #retrohideout #itsprobablythrifted #fun #roombloom #howyouwow #paint #behrpaint #sherwinwilliams #apartmenttherapy #colorlovedecor #bitsofboho #bohemian #thenewbohemians A post shared by Lori (@wildhairhome) on Nov 6, 2019 at 9:14am PST 12. Sports Memorabilia Thrift stores are a great place for sports buffs to visit too; people are constantly donating used jerseys, autographed pictures, cards, and hockey sticks. Why pay top dollar for a vintage Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers jersey, or a Theo Fleury jersey from the 1989 Stanley Cup-winning Calgary Flames, when you could possibly find it secondhand at a fraction of the cost? Goodwill Alberta 13. One-Of-A-Kind Gems You can literally find anything at Goodwill; after all, one person's memory can be another person's treasure. It's all about the hunt, and sometimes the hunt can lead you to a seriously unique item — like a sealskin parka that was donated to an Edmonton Goodwill this past year. Goodwill Alberta Whether you're someone who frequents your local second-hand store often or you only get thrifty to assemble the perfect Halloween costume every year, thrift shopping is definitely worth more than the twice-yearly trip to your local Goodwill. Not only can you find great quality items at incredible prices, but when you shop or donate at Goodwill, you create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In fact, 89 cents of every dollar spent goes towards their mission of helping Albertans with disabilities to find and gain meaningful employment. You also successfully divert items from the landfill, thanks to their Sustainability Action Plan. Last, but certainly not least, here’s the most important factor when it comes to your wallet: you don't pay any GST on used items! The next time you're looking for a trendy lamp, chic accessory, or special picture frame, head to Goodwill first. They're a major recycler of a growing range of donated items, so no matter what you're looking for, you'll likely find it at Goodwill — and so much more! Visit your local Goodwill to find your next vintage treasure, or check out their Instagram for some thrifty inspiration.