Where to shop vintage and local brands in Montreal

I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that as a Canadian, I’ve never spent any time in Montreal (aside from a seemingly annual pilgrimage to Osheaga in my 20s 😬). So, when a personal commitment brought me to the city a few weeks ago, I knew I had to do some proper investigating into everything Montreal had to offer. Spoiler: It did not disappoint! After spending an extended weekend in the city, here’s an overview of where I recommend you shop vintage and local brands in Montreal.

The city has such an incredible juxtaposition from its European-style architecture in Old Montreal to its iconic outdoor winding staircases in the residential areas of town. The city is so incredibly charming and gritty with an incredible dining scene, ample vintage, secondhand and consignment shopping options and lots to do. Bookmark this for the next time you head to the city!  

RUSE

5141 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R9

RUSE is a must when you’re in town! The store offers high-end, designer and unique contemporary items at affordable prices thanks to its consignment model. Thanks to its growing network of fashion forward clients, there is a daily influx of new and exceptional pieces hitting the floors. I tried on tiems from Jacquemus, Samsoe Samsoe, Isabel Marant and Mui Mui to name a few. And, after the announcement that Mara Hoffman was closing her line, I knew I had to scoop up the Lolita dress I tried on from the brand! 

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Seconde

5274 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S1

Seconde is a standout in the Mile End district. It features a beautiful curation of women’s vintage with a small section for menswear and housewares in the back. The selection has a major focus on trendy vintage — think Y2K, ditsy floral prints, and bohemian skirts — from Ralph Lauren, Equipment, Le Chateau and more with a few standout designer pieces. 

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Bee’s Knees Seconde Main

350 Av. Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1J2

Head over to the Bee’s Knees Seconde Main for a selection of contemporary pieces with a few high-end designer items in the mix. This consignment shop is small and organized by colour so it makes for a quick stop on your vintage crawl. Since the selection is based on what people bring in, I found it had a lot of European brands that I wouldn’t find in Toronto where a lot of the product tends to come from locals or sourced from the U.S. Plus, the prices are better than what you might find in a high-end consignment store.

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Nuage Collectif Vintage 

222 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2W 1E3

Head over to Nuage Collectif Vintage for a round-up of selected picks from a few Montreal vintage pickers. The store is super tiny, featuring collections from a few resellers, each with their own unique style — most currently leaning Y2K and bohemian. Super warm staff, great prices and a fun selection. I would head here if you were looking for something to wear out to dinner that night.   

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Boutique Marmier Betina Lou

6510 Henri Julien Ave, Montreal, Quebec H2S 2V2

If hunting through secondhand racks isn’t your thing, then head to Boutique Marmier Betina Lou. Here you’ll find a beautifully curated collection of local, Canadian and international designers and makers for both women and men. Each piece — from the clothing, shoes and accessories — is meticulously chosen with high ethical and environmental standards in mind. The woman working the day we stopped in instantly complimented my Eliza Faulkner dress so you know their taste is on point. See a full list of brands they carry here.

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Rooney

395 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1V2

Another great option if you’re shopping new is Rooney in Old Montreal, which features a trendy curation of up-and-coming designers. They aim to offer products you can wear every day with the knowledge that each product has a unique story behind it with quality manufacturing as the priority. Plus, they have super welcoming and helpful staff and a beautiful space. I walked away with one of their tote bags produced in North Carolina by Parrott Canvas Co.– perfect for everything from a beach day to a long commute — and a pair of cotton shorts from Remain. 

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Any others you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!