If there’s one clothing material that will never go out of style, it’s denim. The textile can be used to make any garment, including the trendy designs of today which include patches, meticulously-made rips and carefully applied discolouration. But for those looking to come by that worn-in look and feel more authentically, vintage jeans are the way to go.
Founded back in 1853, Levi & Strauss has been a key member of the denim brigade. Still to this day, Levi’s pieces can be seen all over Toronto streets, with their arguably most popular line being the 501s. Looking to score your own pair of vintage denim? Check out these five Toronto vintage shops that carry the best iterations of Levi’s denim and other classic vintage brands.
Exile Vintage
For over 40 years, Exile Vintage has been a commanding force in the search for vintage denim. The shop specifically searches for well-worn and perfectly faded Levi’s jeans. The result has been a mass amount of quality denim pieces continuously flying off their racks. Exile Vintage doesn’t just deal with Levi’s. Right now, they’re advertising a 1960s Lee/Wrangler funk & flash skirt with a pocket wall. The shop is located in Kensington Market and has been a premier shopping destination for celebrities, international stylists and many more.
People’s Champ Vintage
The name doesn’t quite do the store justice. Located on Queen Street West, People’s Champ was affected by pandemic like many other sole ownership establishments. Owners Wyatt & Abe previously opted to move the store online, but now they’re back for in-store shopping at 1696 Queen St. W. They cover Levi’s pieces from the ’70s to the 2010s with a vast assortment of jackets, jeans and button-ups. As well, the shop shows just as much love for denim from brands like Lee and Wrangler.
House of Vintage
Restocking just last week, Toronto’s House of Vintage is a must-see attraction for those searching for the perfect pair of Levi’s. Found in the heart of Parkdale, this store has been known as a holy grail in the eye of vintage shoppers. Their Levi’s come in around the $30-40 range, which is close to two times cheaper than market value. House of Vintage also offers an array of unique, collectible pieces ranging from sportswear and lounge attire to formal and dress-up garments.
Expo Vintage
Expo Vintage offers customers three different ways to shop their vintage collections. Customers have the option of digging for diamonds at their outlet store, enjoying a curated experience at their flagship brick and mortar or shopping from the comfort of their own home through Etsy. Regardless, customers will find an array of Levi’s and other denim pieces with the majority of them from the ’60s to ’80s. Just a week ago, Expo posted a photo of distressed denim from an assortment of brands, so check them out before they’re all gone!
Nevada Rose
Nevada Rose, located on Dundas Street West, drops new items daily at noon. The shop is currently filled with loads of summer staples – some of which appear to have been taken directly from your Pinterest board. Their “Cool Girl Denim” section is full of pieces from desired denim brands such as Levi’s, Calvin Klein and Lee.