CREDIT: FSU PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

With fashion trends changing every season, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest styles. It certainly doesn’t help that stores use this knowledge to their advantage and mark up prices for consumers to purchase items that they may only use once. But I still love for my apparel to keep up with the trends and feel confident with the clothes that I am wearing. Luckily for me, I became an expert of knowing exactly what stores to shop at and where to get certain items from, as well as where to stay away from.

If you love shopping as much as I do, I’m sure you’ve frequented the CF Masonville Mall. This mall is a great option for buying new items and is also great for helping you identify what type of clothing piques your interest. On the other hand, London has some classic thrift stores as well as hidden gems that can help you build your ideal closet.

There is a Plato’s Closet located next to White Oaks Mall. If you’re not familiar with this store and you love thrifting, this is your sign to visit. This store has a wide range of clothing items. I personally find that I can get great quality items from Plato’s Closet that usually has a well-known brand attached to it. It was important to me when re-building my closet to purchase staple pieces that I can accessorize with trendy pieces. I found Plato’s to be the perfect place for those staple pieces.


Once I had the basic bodysuits, t-shirts, sweaters and versatile pants, it was time for me to find a store that could add some fun to my closet. There’s a thrift store called Chaotic Closet that has a variety of trendy and thrifty items, from oversized graphic tees to hobo bags that everyone is so fond of these days. I can say that I was able to pick up a few pieces from Chaotic Closet that added value to my closet.

Another store that I found trendy pieces at was Talize. This store has very organized racks full of clothes for you to choose from. I have been to Talize on multiple occasions and have always walked out with exactly what I was looking for. To be more specific, in the summer season I was on the hunt for a nice pair of slides, and without a doubt the perfect pair was waiting for me. Similarly, in the fall, I went for a new winter coat and once again I found one that was perfect for my size and style preference. One of my favourite parts of Talize is, when I’m done looking through the various racks, there’s a section filled with miscellaneous items for the household.

When it comes to shopping at any store, it is important for you to have great patience. I know it can seem intimidating to go through every single item, but I have found that by taking my time and determining whether an item is for me or not has brought me the best luck with fashion finds.

All of the stores I have mentioned have dressing rooms which, in my eyes, is a great perk. There’s nothing worse than guessing if an item will fit you exactly how you want it to.

It’s also helpful that some of the thrift stores in London offer discounts for students or programs where you can donate clothes for an incentive.

With the intention of inspiring you to declutter your closet from pieces that no longer serve your inner fashion guru, I do hope that you will head to the stores and take these tips along with you. I can tell you confidently that every time I open my closet doors, there is a smile on my face and I only want the same for my readers.