Living on a student budget can be difficult, especially when a new season brings in fashion trends to die for. Some students might think shopping on a slim budget is impossible, but I’m here to debunk that theory. To follow are the best and most affordable shops in Kingston that’ll keep both your closet and your wallet happy this season.

Phase 2 (353 Princess St.)

Phase 2 has been bringing Kingston reasonably priced, gently-worn clothing since 1981. The store features two floors of clothing of all kinds. From dresses to shirts to costumes and jewelry, you name it, they’ve got it. There’s even a section of Queen’s merchandise you won’t find on campus, and is a lot more budget-friendly than campus outlet stores.

Value Village (1300 Bath Rd.)

Hey, Macklemore! Can we go thrift shopping? Value Village has been providing Queen’s students with the coolest vintage apparel, from bucket hats to Hawaiian shirts and more. The famous thrift store is known for extremely cheap prices, even on brand name pieces like Michael Kors. You might even find some Gucci in there. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but who said shopping doesn’t take a little dedication?

Clothing Exchange/Sale (Online)

“Clothing Exchange/Sale” is an exclusive Facebook page for Queen’s students, where people post used clothing that they’ve decided to part with. With such a stylish campus, you can find some brand-name items for incredibly reasonable prices. The good thing about the page is that your transaction is helping a fellow budgeted Gael as opposed to a multi-million dollar company. It’s also a great place if you’re looking to make some cash (to spend on more clothes, obviously.)

Modern Primitive (72 Princess St.)

Modern Primitive is the go-to spot for anyone into boho-chic. The owners travel all over the world to places like Southeast Asia, Turkey and Mexico to bring a wide variety of stock to their boutique. It’s the perfect place for anyone looking to spice up their accessory drawer or add a bit of colour to their cupboard. Now you can travel the world all in one store without blowing your bank account.

Urban Outfitters (207 Princess St.)

So, you’re probably thinking: how could the retail mogul known for pricy pieces possibly be a good idea on a budget? Let me tell you. The upstairs of the Princess St. location has been completely transformed into an outlet that brings in stock from the Montreal and Toronto locations. There’s no better feeling than buying something on sale for $10 and pulling back that red sticker only to find an expensive price tag.