Up-cycling = Cool at The Backroom!

Let's start off this post the way any bad high school essay usually begins: with a definition. According to Wikipedia (our favourite source), up-cycling is defined as: "the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value." Like taking broken beer bottles and turning them into a gorgeous art-deco lamp. Or transforming a 90s girl-band T-shirt into a piece of haute couture.  

Today, we (Nadine and Nikki) went to a cute little vintage/up-cycling shop fittingly called "The Backroom," since it is located at the back of a sweet little building on Lambert-Closse (https://www.facebook.com/thebackroommtl). Karen, Marie and Rachel, the three girls who run the shop, were throwing a special event for bloggers, like ourselves, and allowed us to photograph some of their creations. Yes, creations. Because they don't just buy and sell second-hand clothing. They actually alter (or up-cycle) them, making them "hip" and "to date" by adding rocker studs, pieces of fabric (lace and other materials) or cutting them up and transforming them completely. As a result, the prices are a tad more expensive than what we are used to paying at the mega stores (in the $20-$40 range), but that's only because they have put actual handy-work into these garments.

As you can see in the pictures below, the girls at the Backroom aim for an urban chic "baggy" flavour  (think Mary-Kate Olsen), which means that most of their items fit all sizes. To make the experience less overwhelming for second hand shoppers, they carefully hand-pick all their pieces from places like Village des Valeurs, Salvation Army, and their own closets, with a goal of transforming designer labels into something more affordable, current and trendy. Some of the labels we were surprised to see included Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, Versace and Chanel jewelery. 

What really struck us was how Karen, Marie and Rachel managed to reinvent and revive old pieces of clothing and make them fashionable again. Old-man slacks that your dad would wear became a pair of edgy shorts. It's easy to forget just how creative we can get with our clothing. You don't have to be a talented sewer (although it probably helps). With a needle and thread, a pair of scissors or a stud-gun, anything can be transformed. 

It's not only about saving money guys. It's about having your own look that's yours, and knowing that no one else has done it or will do it again. 

- Nadine

The Backroom also has an online store at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBackroomMTL

Photographer: Vanessa Boyce 
Vanboyce@gmail.com

MIA

So, the sun has been beaming upon our city, and we've all been feeling too lethargic to go out shopping. Shocker! Stay tuned for more mega second-hand store love!

All Clothing from Village des Valeurs: :http://chameleonic.co/2012/06/19/afternoon-delights/

Second Hand Halloween Costumes

It's so easy to find the perfect Halloween costume at a mega second hand clothing store, without paying an exorbitant amount of money. Exhibit A: Me (Nadine) as Audrey Hepburn last Halloween - every single piece, including the jewellery, came from Village des Valeurs (except the cigarette holder). Not only does Village des Valeurs have an entire section devoted to costuming during the months of September and October (including leaflets that offer ideas), but they also have SO much stuff, that it's almost impossible not to find SOMETHING that could work as a costume.


Isn't this costume fab? Whole cost = under 20$


P.S. I know... this post is perfectly seasonal. Well, it's never to early to start thinking about your Halloween costumes, right?

Nadine's Turn!

Almost anyone can walk into a store like H&M or even Gucci and pick out a nice outfit. All of the merchandise is laid out so cleanly, carefully and methodically under those radiant lights. As soon as you walk in, the mannequins at the front of the store (in "Zone 1") sport the most popular trends and you know right away that "you gotta have it." You almost don't need to put any creativity or effort into finding your perfect outfit, at least not as much as you would need at a mega second hand clothing store.


If you consider yourself a true fashion lover, then you must know just how satisfying it is to search through the piles of crap for that special jewel. You exert all of your creative energy. You challenge yourself. You think outside the box. That's what Nikki and I tried to do with the following creations:

Top: Reitmans, Village Des Valeurs, 5$

Top: Suzy Shier, Village des Valeurs, 6$

Cardigan: Bui Jahhe, Village des Valeurs, 8$

T-Shirt: Unknown, The Dump, Free

Back of Cardigan: Same as above

Top: Pure-Alfred Sung, Village des Valeurs,10$

Skirt: Unknown, Village des Valeurs, 8$

Top: Unknown, Salvation Army, 2$

Skirt: Forever 21, Village Des Valeurs, 6$

Top: Eyeshadow, Village des Valeurs, 8$

Skirt: Dickies, Village des Valeurs, 5$

Top: Same as above

Top: Hanky Panky, Free, Fringe Festival Clothes Exchange

Skirt: Forever 21, Free, Fringe Festival Clothes Exchange

Headband: Unknown, Garage Sale, 1$

Dress: Dramatixs, Village des Valeurs, 8$

Back of Dress: Same as above

Dress: JSC, Village des Valeurs, 7$

Dress: Mark Edwards- Evening, Village des Valeurs, 10$

Top: Unknown, Village des Valeurs, 9$

Top: Hollywood, Village des Valeurs, 4$

Skirt: Explosive, Village des Valeurs, 4$

Top: Banana Republic, Village des Valeurs, 5$

Vest: Unknown, Village des Valeurs, 2$

Skirt: Parasuco, Village des Valeurs, 5$

Purse: Nine West, Village des Valeurs, 9$

Our field-trip to Renaissance Verdun

As promised (by Nikki) in an earlier post, here is a little bit more about our field-trip to my local Renaissance secondhand store on Wellington in Verdun.

As she mentioned, this is definitely my go-to secondhand shop - I'm there once to twice a week (easily) and always find beautiful things (I even have the member+a friend discount card and get emails on their 50% off sales!).

I'm 100% in agreement with Nikki's quality over quantity philosophy, I just happen to get lucky :-)

There is an element of luck involved whenever you go to a thrifting (yes, its a verb) but there is also a level of skill which comes from knowing your size, what looks good on you as well as understanding your personal style.

On my recent trip with Nikki to Renaissance, I managed to find a great pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans for 6$, a tan cardigan by Free People for $5, an awesome red faux snake belt by Brighton Paris for $3 and a great long sleeve T by Kennith Cole for $4. I'm pretty sure that the jeans, T and belt had never been worn or used before - it was an absolute steal!

The week before, I managed to snag a pair of grape purple patent leather pumps by Aldo for $6, a fushia Tristan cropped bolero for $5, a unique scarf-print shirt by Zara Brazil (my new swimsuit cover up) for $5 and a Rebecca Taylor charcoal wool and silk jacket (I'll post a picture soon it's beautiful) for $10. Two items still had their original store tags attached.

I have found everything at this location from Karl Lagerfeld, Robert Rodriguez, Stella McCartney, Escada, a brilliant pair of Burberry espadrilles (which I bought), Mackage... I could go on and on...

The key is to do your homework: to know your designers, know your fabrics and your cuts but , above all, know yourself and only buy what you love and what loves you when you wear it.

- Jen

Shopping - The Goods (Nikki)

Hello Second Hand Clothing Lovers!

There are many reasons why I love going to the mega second hand stores, but one of the main reasons is that there is always new stuff every time you go. You never see the same thing twice and they're always bringing out new stock.

These past few days, since I finished my internship a couple of days ago, I started spending time with some friends, my boyfriend and my family. While interning, I really missed having the time to go second hand shopping. So making up for lost time, I went with Jenn yesterday to Renaissance and today with Nadine to Village Des Valeurs.

Jenn always talks about the Renaissance on Wellington Street and her amazing finds. Yesterday was no exception. There was a ton of stuff, all from Top Shop (UK brand) to Walmart. We spent a couple of hours looking through all the goods.

Since I had my second hand shopping fix, I thought I wouldn't need to go again for a while. But today, Nadine was off work, so we decided that today would be the perfect day to go to Village Des Valeurs on Jean Talon.

I will show you what I bought from each store. I did not buy as much as my two fellow bloggers, but that's OK! Quality is always better than quantity. I am also very picky with what I buy. I must be excited about the garments or else, they go back on the rack. I tell myself: they'll always be new clothes coming in. So here's what I bought! Nadine and Jenn will show you at some point what they got as well.

P.S. Please send us your finds. We would REALLY love to see them and go green with envy. You don't need to live in Montreal and they don't need to be on a mannequin. (I have a mannequin because I am a fashion design student and I like the peace and quiet of working at home). But you can send a photo of you wearing them or of them laid out on your bed!  Comment bellow or email us at: secondhandmontreal@gmail.com

Top: Simons, Renaissance, 4$

Skirt:Valia, Village Des Valeurs, 4$ 

Skirt: Atmosphere, Village Des Valeurs, 6$

Hot Finds 2

Jacket:Tristan & Iseult, Salvation Army

Skirt:Banana Republic, Salvation Army

Total Cost:12$

Jacket: Levi Strauss, Renaissance
 skirt: FCUK,Renaissance 
Top: Cassis,Renaissance 

Total Cost: 20$

Coat: Mackage,Renaissance, 10$

Jacket & belt: Brighton Paris
Skirt: Comma

Scarf:Vera 

Total Cost: 14$

Dress: BCBG, Renaissance, 20$ 

Clothes of the Dumpster

Hello Fellow Second-Hand Clothing Lovers,


Every year my sister, Nadine, my boyfriend and I walk around our area in the Mile-End on moving day. Why? Well, we go around to look for new stuff on the street curb! Outside of some apartments are usually pieces of furniture (tables, chairs, couches), cookware, and home decor. Unfortunately, some evil people also leave their pets at their old places without food or water because their new places do not allow pets! All of us working on this blog are huge animal lovers.


But I digress. People moving out of their apartments also throw away their really decent clothes! Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with not liking your wardrobe anymore. It is OK to get bored of your clothes, especially if they have holes. But many of these clothes on the street DON'T! They are in great condition. Wouldn't it be so much better to donate  them to charity or to the second hand charity shops?


So just for this blog, I present to you:

CLOTHES OF THE DUMPSTER

by Wasteful People

Top: Urban Outfitters, The Dump

Skirt: Fire: Los Angeles, The Dump

Top: Urban Outfitters, The Dump

These clothes were brought to you by:

Where we found really good clothes

Summer Days

Hellos,


I hope you enjoyed your long weekend (to those of you who are Canadian). It was Canada day this past Sunday. And moving day! (which means lots of awesome stuff cast away onto the lonely street-curb). To my American readers, I hope you guys have a wonderful 4th of July weekend and enjoy your fireworks! Here are some more finds:

Coat: Mario Sarrani, Garage Sale, 4$

Skirt: Birdem Etek, Village Des Valeurs, 6$

Cat: Marcel, SPCA 

Dress: Necessary Objects, Village Des Valeurs, 14$

Cat: Marcel, SPCA