Kensington Market Come-ups
A Canadian vintage roundup
During a recent long weekend to visit family in Ontario, Canada, I found myself with an afternoon to spare and a burning desire to stomp around the city of Toronto. Having visited many times before, I had a faint recollection of where I like to wander, but between COVID and my family members’ recent move to the Canadian suburbs, it’s been over four years since my last proper visit. Eager to reminisce, I headed straight for Kensington Market, a neighborhood known for vintage & thrift stores galore, mixed in with independent artists, coffee shops, and the best Jamaican dumplings I’ve ever had in my life. Would it insult the Torontonians if I called this your Bushwick? Can I redeem myself by saying I spent the best four hours of my entire trip here?
But this isn’t a travel newsletter, it’s a style newsletter, so let me tell you about the clothes! While there’s dozens of treasure-filled secondhand and vintage shops in the neighborhood, I came across my favorite gems all in one store - Vintage Outlaw - in about one minute. The excitement of great second-hand pieces for truly unbelievable prices made me forget my golden shopping rules (Thou Shalt Ideate 3 or More Outfits With The Treasure Before Purchasing), meaning I am now tasked with creating fits for the finds. Below, find me both bragging about my come-ups while doing the mental styling I forgot to do in-store - and maybe even a recommendation or two for the reader who decided this should be a travel newsletter too.
A Late ‘80s Espirit Jacket
Truth be told, I still can’t tell if this is a blazer or a smock - the fit is of a blazer, which is why I’m confident it’s an eighties piece, but the shape and number of pockets brings to mind something smock-like. We’ll call it a choose your own adventure garment. I gravitated to a simple slip & sneakers combination, with a pair of classic Reeboks grounding the fit in the eighties. For another easy-breezy combination I went with a fisherman sweater and blue jeans - a simple pairing but one always associated with a French cafe in my mind. The tote is to carry my baguette and latest Simone de Beauvoir novel, merci very much. Finally, when paired with loafers the jacket becomes reminiscent of prep school (particularly with the large E embroidery on the front), which I naturally had to counter with a Harley tee and a paneled mini-skirt.
A Corduroy Shirt-Jacket
We don’t use the term “shacket” over here. Instead, something about this jacket felt distinctly boyish, and maybe a nineties take on a seventies style - I wouldn’t be surprised if some version of it was in the costume department of Freaks and Geeks. Sticking with boyish is my measly attempt at classic skatewear, with a light blue pop in the bag. I proceeded to elevate by putting on a boot and layering a turtleneck underneath, specifically one with a subtle pattern to break up the all-black. Finally, with blue jeans, boots, and a bamboo handled bag, I think I’ve ended up back at that French cafe.
A Tiered Slip Skirt
Now I know full-well this skirt style is a Bushwick girly staple, but my point of contradiction is in the color. The shimmery olive grey-green tone is simply magnetic. Despite my zip code, I’ve always struggled to pull off a good fit with a long slip skirt, so putting together five ‘fits is a sartorial success in my personal book. Starting off strong with a classic - t-shirt (from Kensington coffee staple Jimmy’s Coffee), cardigan, and knee-high boots. This steered me to trying just a cardigan and the boots, as well as just a t-shirt, swapping boots for mules because let’s face it I won’t wear this until it’s warm enough for mules anyway. Finally, I knew instinctively if I was going to try a turtleneck with this skirt that I didn’t want a fitted one - it would’ve made the outfit feel unfinished in my mind - so I pulled my loosest fitting one on, and liked it so much I decided to test it for a workday (bringing us to outfit 5). That’s right, my work bag is a Telfar.
Your readership is directly funding my ability to return to Kensington Market for more vintage finds to write about, and for that, dear readers, thank you. Plus, for those inspired to trek up North, or maybe just to find something to do for an afternoon, I’ve compiled my favorite spots into this Google Maps list.
Didn't know a leather bag with a bamboo handle was a hole in my closet, but now it is! And the Espirit jacket, patchwork mini skirt, white socks, black loafers combo? Iconic.
There is nothing — nothing — like leaving NYC and finding all the deals. That tiered skirt is a revelation! Thank you for the Kensington Market study.