Fast fashion is evil. It is responsible for more than 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-biggest consumer of water, according to the UN Environment Programme.

All of us who shop in stores like H&M, Zara or even Aritzia are partially responsible for this terrifying statistic. One way to remedy the situation is to shop consciously and invest in timeless high quality pieces. However, this approach to shopping might prove difficult for many, especially for university students trying to manage their expenses responsibly. 

There is, of course, a way for all of us to look good without spending an exorbitant amount of money, while also significantly reducing the fashion industry’s impact on the environment. For many people, thrift shopping is not only a way to cut clothing expenses, but an opportunity to be creative, express themselves and look unique. 

It is true that bigger cities like Vancouver or Toronto have a significantly larger number of curated thrift shops and vintage stores. However, there are a few hidden gems scattered throughout the downtown area of our own city of Kamloops. Let me introduce you to my favourite local thrift stores. 

The Ruby Room

The Ruby Room is located on Victoria Street in the heart of Downtown Kamloops, the exact address is 265 Victoria St. The cozy little store has a wide selection of sweaters, tons of accessories like scarves, belts, hats and bags. The shop also offers many options for formal wear like dresses, two piece suits and jumpsuits, so if you are looking for something unique to wear to a New Years Eve party – The Ruby Room just might be the place for you. Personally I was impressed with their vintage silver rings and ended up getting a moonstone phalanx ring for just thirty dollars. If you are hanging out in Downtown and have some time on your hands, The Ruby Room is definitely worth a visit. 

The London Creative

The London Creative. One of the vintage clothing racks. Taken by Maria C

The newest addition to the local Kamloops thrift and concept store scene is The London Creative. The place only just opened up a few weeks ago and it is already known to be a wonderful place to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon browsing through. The owner describes the store as a “creative community house”. The shop carries curated vintage pieces and lots of curious homeware items like tea sets, handmade wooden plant stands as well as locally made candles, skincare and herbal tea blends. The London Creative also provides services like reflexology, massage and consultations on herbal medicine. One of the young women that runs the place, Taylor, spent six years learning about herbal medicine in Victoria and is now aiming to spread her knowledge among the like minded individuals here in Kamloops. The London Creative is located at 662 Seymour St.

The London Creative. Vintage homeware goods. Taken by Maria C

Lys’s Thrift and Vintage

Lys’s Thrift and Vintage. Curated vintage pieces. Taken by Maria C

My absolute favourite place to shop in Kamloops is Lys’s Thrift and Vintage. The place opened up relatively recently, in March 2022 to be exact and since then has become the designated hangout spot for everyone who likes conscious consumption and values carefully selected vintage pieces. The shop has a big section devoted to vintage jeans, an amazing selection of thick winter sweaters and a ton of funky 80s-type clothes as well as thrifted workwear, warm fall and winter jackets and five racks full of fun graphic tees. The shop has several minimalistic changing rooms that make taking aesthetically pleasing pics for Instagram super easy, and everyone who works there is always willing to help you style your thrift picks and is happy to share their opinion on recent trends in street style fashion. In fact I was able to interview two amazing people who have worked there right from the beginning, and they gave me a little insight into the current trends and what the locals enjoy shopping for most at Lys’s.

The store’s location is super convenient as well, it is just a few steps away from Cafe Motivo, The Art We Are and The Botanical Scene. Lys’s Thrift and Vintage is located at 234 Victoria St. 

Lys’s Thrift and Vintage. Vintage jackets. Taken by Maria C

Please make sure to check out these amazing stores and don’t forget to tag them on your Instagram posts if you take any pictures! Let’s spread the word and create a strong sustainable shopping community right here in Kamloops. 

Take care!