While we’d all like an unlimited budget for our fall wardrobes, we need to be realistic. Mixing designer, fast fashion and vintage is far more interesting than just buying Celine, right? Here’s a few fall trends you can find at your local vintage store.

The colour blocking trend is still strong for fall, and it's really easy to find colour-blocked bags in vintage stores. You’ll get something high quality and in leather for the price of a bag from a fast fashion retailer.

Snakeskin bags and shoes are easy to find second-hand, and much cheaper than new snakeskin accessories (the prices are scary!). Keep an eye out for a vintage full length Ossie Clark snakeskin coat, that’s worth more than a new version.

Sixties-style shift dresses are a dime a dozen in retro second-hand stores, and they look very on trend with knee high boots and opaque tights.

These items came from Vancouver-based Shoppalu, a online shop selling unique vintage clothes and accessories. They have a great edited selection making second-hand shopping much easier. Colour panel satchel ($60), navy sleeveless collar dress ($15), and grey snakeskin pumps ($25). —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

www.shoppalu.com

Her collection of vintage frocks and baubles attracts Toronto's top stylists and designers and her window displays are known to stop traffic. It’s no surprise then that The Cat's Meow Louise Cooper’s blog is an attention-grabber too.

With tips, trends and the latest additions to her store, this vintage portal is a fun place to escape to while dining al desko. Have a look at me wearing full-length vintage Valentino skirt in Cooper’s Out and About section.

We’re lusting after these ridiculously showy Chanel sunnies ($895, pictured) and who could say no to a fanny pack ($595) to match? —Athena Tsavliris

www.thecatsmeowcouture.com/blog

Why clamber through thrift stores when you can click through these virtual vintage boutiques stocked with everything from cool to couture?

Shrimpton Couture: 
If you’re on the hunt for 1960s Oscar de la Renta, 1970s Halston or 1990s Alaia, you’ll find it here, in the mother of all virtual vintage shops.

Ramona West: 
You’d love a 1980s party dress but you don’t want to be swallowed up by ruffles. Click your way to Ramona West, where they tailor their pieces for a modern, on-trend fit.

Girl on a Vine: 
Not for the sartorially shy, Girl on a Vine is stocked with bold pieces that are the epitome of California cool.

Atlantis Vintage: 
Run by Judy Aldridge, mother of Sea of Shoes blogger Jane Aldridge, Atlantis Vintage features a collection of statement jewelry like no other.

LA Vintage: 
You always know exactly what you want. So sort through LA Vintage’s extensive collection by size, colour, material and decade.

—KD

5…4…3…2… wait a second, you stopped keeping time when you turned 29 for the second time. Well, have we got the bracelet for you.

Combining vintage watchbands with antique brooches, earrings and pendants instead of clock faces, the very new Eva bracelet collection from Vancouver’s Rocaille is the perfect embellishment for New Year’s Eve. The work of Amanda He, a former Torontonian investment banker who, like Rachel Zoe, has been collecting vintage jewellery for years, Rocaille transforms classic bling into new things.

Auld acquaintance shan’t be forgot, merely revamped.

$120 at www.rocaille-design.com

We're definitely not a smother mother, but neither are we a slummy mummy.

Perhaps that's why we're drawn again and again to the gorgeous wares at Nonchalant Mom.

We can attest personally to the loveliness of the pillows and delicate angel wings of Atsuko et Akiko and are lusting for their new sparkly masks and dressups.

We also love the Fleamarket section for its vintage toddler spoons and forks.

Which we will so nonchalantly integrate into our carefully curated collection of original Beatrix Potter bowls and Birks silver cups… not that we care, or anything.

www.nonchalantmom.com

Was it dumb luck that we scored a vintage Balmain dress for $12? Somewhat, but we also stepped into the right consignment shop.

Shaughnessy and Kitsilano label lovers supply the store with lots of mature brands like St. Johns and Lida Baday, but there are gems for the younger set too. Like a tweed and leather-trim Michael Kors suit ($24), patent ombré Stuart Weitzman wedges ($38), chunky Chloé cardigan ($48)—all nearly new—and our Balmain bargain (pictured).

With winter pieces priced to clear and spring stock about to be put out (like Ferragamo slingbacks and Prada sandals), it’s prime haute-hunting season.

Act II Boutique, 2599 W. 16th Ave., Vancouver, 604-733-5515, open Tuesday-Saturday.

The only thing better than Marc Jacobs? Marc Jacobs at a fraction of full price.

On a recent visit to couture consigner Front & Company, we flipped our lid at the growing racks of tops from Marc, Miu Miu and Marni (many with the original tags still on). And dresses in multiples too, from pretty Peter Pan-collared frocks from See By Chloé to anything-but-ordinary shifts from Tsumori Chisato that would retail for $500 (they’re $98).

We’d say hurry in, but you’re already there.

Front & Company, 3772 Main St., Vancouver, 604-879-8431, www.frontandcompany.ca

This holiday we’re looking for lasting gifts, and what better than vintage scores that have already stood the test of time?

At ReFind, find display-worthy glass decanters to 1960s chrome lamps to a killer set of stackable molded Lucite chairs (pictured). Just like men, half the thrill is in the hunt.

But we think this one’s a keeper.

ReFind, 4609 Main St., Vancouver, 778-855-0969. 

Does your little Violet cry out to be clothed in baby Victoriana?

Of course not, but how adorable to bring her out on Christmas eve in a white eyelet slip dress circa 1890? The pristine vintage baby clothes at online store Belle Heir like this batiste gown from 1925 or this antique French romper trimmed in lace may not be Christmas pudding-friendly, but this is just for the picture, right?

View styles and shop at www.belleheir.com