You don’t have to break the bank to show off your style. The thing is, half the clothing people buy doesn't get worn, or is grown out of emotionally or physically. Fortunately, a lot of these lightly used clothing items end up at thrift stores where they can be purchased at a fraction of the price!

Thrift stores are the perfect spot to find unique pieces for a good price. There’s something special about sifting through racks and racks of clothing to find that one, fairly priced extraordinary piece. When you shop at thrift stores, you can dress to the nines without having to empty out your pockets.

Waterloo is home to a wide variety of thrift stores that are easily accessible from the city’s major university campuses. Next time you feel like sprucing up your wardrobe, save some money and find some unique finds at one of these thrift stores:

Salvation Army

Where: 563 Highland Road W

This medium-sized Salvation Army location is a convenient bus ride away from the University of Waterloo. Hit up the thrift store for incredible deals around the corner from campus. From retro mom jeans to trendy oversized jackets, there are tons of hidden gems to find here. It may not be the biggest location standing, but it has impressive vintage pieces that you can purchase at a fair price.

Worth a Second Look

Where: 97 Victoria St N

This thrift store may not have clothing, but it has everything else! This second-hand furniture and houseware store is full of fun things to bring some more personality to your suite.

Worth a Second Look even offers pick-up and delivery services! This store offers items at a steal and is committed to preventing reusable items from being sentenced to a landfill.

Value Village

Where: 50 Gateway Park Dr & 120 Ottawa St.

There are two Value Villages that Waterloo students can visit for unique pieces. Value Village is well known for having a wide variety of gently used items with a low price tag.

The locations are a half hour bus ride away from campus. Value Village is the perfect place to hit up if you are looking to try some more daring retro or trendy items for a small price.

Luster & Oak

Where: 2 King St. South, Unit 5

This consignment store is a little bit pricier than the other thrifting locations on our list but still stays true to a fair thrifting pricing bracket.

Because Luster & Oak operates based on consignment, you can also make some money if you bring some of your gently used items to the store and it sells!

Plato’s Closet

Where: 700 Strasburg Rd

Just over an hour away from the campus of the University of Waterloo, this consignment store offers prices that are 70 percent less than average mall price tags.

Plato’s Closet is geared towards young adults, and will even buy your lightly used items! Spend a little bit of money on steals and earn it back by getting rid of some of your lesser used things.