We may not be London or New York, but Montreal's population is definitely style-conscious and decidedly well-dressed. Our city's friperies - stores that carry vintage and second-hand clothing - are heaven for starving students and retro-obsessed shopaholics. Mount-Royal is the street for friperies, although you'll also find several good stores on St-Laurent and St-Denis.

There are a few keys to successful vintage shopping. Become a regular. Store inventory is restocked often, so go once every week or two. If the salespeople get to know you (and like you), they might even tell you when they're getting new items. Take your time. If you don't find anything your first time around, don't despair. Be patient, scour the racks and you'll be rewarded with some wonderful finds. Use the buddy system. Bring a pal with you, so you can both get a second opinion. Having an honest friend with you prevents impulse purchases - and the subsequent buyer's remorse. You should both decide how much you're willing to spend during the shopping trip, and help each other stick to it.

Vintage shops mostly stock single items, so if you find something you like, grab it and hold on to it.

Hold on and try it on. These shops mostly stock single items, so if you find something you like, grab it and hold on to it until you make a decision, especially if the store is crowded. Size charts have changed quite a bit over the years, so it's important to try things on to make sure they fit. Of course, if you happen upon something fabulous and it's just a little too big or too long, buy it anyway and get it altered. When in doubt, ask. Most shops are staffed with knowledgeable salespeople. If you're not sure about something, ask them. Some will even be able to provide a history of the pieces.

California Vintage stocks a wide variety of t-shirts, college jerseys and sweatshirts, leather coats, jackets and belts. Montreal Fripe features a mix of vintage and secondhand items from the '70 and '80s, along with some current pieces, including dresses, long-sleeve shirts, bags and leather goods. A La Deux is the place for dresses and gowns from the '40s and '50s, as well as lingerie and jewellery. You'll find excellent quality clothing from the '50s and '60s, and occasionally the 40s, at Requin Chagrin. There's also a lovely collection of shoes, along with a selection of hats, ties and gloves. Perennial favourite Eva B.'s specialty is retro wear from the '60s, '70s and '80s, but they also rent out costumes. The inventory is enormous, however, so be prepared to spend some time here. Meow is heaven for pop culture fanatics. Pick out a plain t-shirt (or bring your own) and then choose from the huge collection of retro transfers - now you can finally get your hands on that elusive A-Team shirt.