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Use code -FREESHIP- on orders over $175 (Exclusions apply)
Use code -FREESHIP- on orders over $175 (Exclusions apply)
Thistle and Wren Boutique Victoria, BC

Preloved Welcome Guide

We're delighted to welcome you to the Thistle & Wren preloved experience! As part of our curated lifestyle boutique family, you're taking a step towards sustainable luxury and thoughtful fashion.


This Welcome Guide serves as your comprehensive roadmap to our unique approach. Below, you'll find all the essential details, from preparing your pre-loved items to understanding the journey your pieces will take as they find new homes.


At Thistle & Wren, we are committed to a seamless, rewarding experience that honors the quality and uniqueness of your items. We look forward to building a wonderful relationship with you, punctuated by fantastic finds and meaningful connections.

Preparing Your Articles

At Thistle & Wren, we are committed to providing our customers with a thoughtful range of high-quality preloved articles. We carefully review each article to ensure our standards of quality and relevance are met. Please note the following criteria for preparing your articles:

  1. Condition: We accept quality, beautiful, current articles in excellent condition. Articles should be free from stains, tears, pilling, excessive wear, or any form of damage. Zippers must be functional, and the overall appearance should be well-maintained.
  2. Cleanliness: Items must be freshly laundered with scent free detergent, clean, and free from animal hair or odours. We strive to maintain a hypoallergenic and pleasant environment for all our customers. Shoe soles must clean, free of mud and debris.
  3. Fashion Relevance: We seek articles that are in line with current fashion trends. Outdated or out-of-season items will not be accepted. We encourage you to submit pieces that reflect contemporary styles and trends.
  4. Variety of Items: In addition to apparel, we are looking for the following:

Maternity Apparel: Boutique brands and contemporary maternity wear. Footwear: Quality and gently used shoes. Toys and Puzzles: We particularly welcome wooden toys and puzzles, emphasizing eco-friendly and educational designs.

5. Sustainability Commitment: We encourage items that are made with sustainable practices, supporting our commitment to environmental responsibility.

Please ensure that your items meet these criteria before submission. Articles not meeting these standards will either be returned to you or donated, as per your preference.

Brands We Accept

Our belief in circular fashion extends to the longevity of our garments, designed to be cherished and reworn by multiple children, reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. We've curated a catalogue of pre-approved brands that resonate with these principles.

While this list is comprehensive, if you believe a particular brand merits inclusion, do drop us a line at info@thistleandwren.com. We'll be sure to let you know if it meets our criteria.

Brands We Accept

Appointment Guidelines

Appointment scheduling with Thistle & Wren is a streamlined process, designed for your convenience. It's important to note that the boutique operates strictly on a pre-scheduled basis, and does not accommodate walk-in drop-offs. To book your preloved drop-off please utilize the scheduler link that has been emailed.

Before your drop-off, please ensure that your preloved items adhere to the boutique's preparation guidelines and you have refamiliarized yourself with your contract details.

Appraisal, What to Expect?

Preloved items will be thoroughly reviewed by our knowledgeable staff, ensuring a fair and accurate assessment.

  • Acceptance Criteria: Based on our current inventory and market demand, we may either accept or reject items. This decision is made to ensure that we only take in items that align with our customers' interests and store aesthetics.
  • Valuation: We offer store credit worth 20-30% of the item's assessed value. This percentage can vary depending on the article condition, brand quality and item exclusivity. Items from high-calibre brands trend towards a higher valuation due to their popularity, quality and market demand.

As a small business, we prioritize transparency in our appraisal process to build trust and clarity with our clients. It is important for you to recognize the additional effort and services we provide, which set us apart and add value to your preloved journey.

  • Sell with Ease: We manage the entire process, including intake, professional photography, uploading to our online platforms, and merchandising in store to make it visual appealing to our established customer base. We take care of all the intricacies, ensuring a smooth and refined process for you.
  • Redeem with Ease: Convenience and simplicity are at the heart of our service. Your store credit is available to redeem in our boutique or online.
  • Circular Economy: Our store's approach is simple yet impactful. By bringing in your preloved items, you receive store credit for future purchases. It's a straightforward cycle that fosters the slow fashion movement and reduces textile waste.

Receive your Credit

After your scheduled drop-off, please allow 5-7 days for the assessment of your articles. It is important to note that your articles will not be sorted, evaluated, or appraised during your drop-off appointment.

  • Subsequent to the appraisal, you will receive an email detailing the total credit value, the number of articles received, and the number of articles to be returned.
  • Upon signing The Credit Voucher Form, in your client portal, a validated credit voucher will be forwarded to your email within 48 hours.
  • Our time is valuable. Should you choose not to proceed, your items will be returned in accordance with our established terms. Please note, this may lead to the closure of your account.

The Store Credit Voucher is final, non-negotiable, and valid for 18 months. Click here for terms.

Pickup Policy

After sorting and appraising your items we will contact you by email to inform you if you have items we did not accept (pick-ups). As space is limited, pickup is expected within one week of the call/email. Unless a longer hold is arranged, items will be donated within 7 business days. You may choose to have your items donated if they are not accepted for preloved.

Terms of Store Credit Voucher

As this is a special arrangement and not a traditional gift card, it comes with unique terms of use. For the sake of clarity in our agreement, we will refer to it as the 'Store Credit Voucher.' This Store Credit Voucher is issued as store credit and is directly attached to your client account. It will expire 18 months from the date of issuance. No extensions or exceptions will be granted under any circumstances, including but not limited to health issues, relocation, or inattention.‎

Please note that the Store Credit Voucher is exclusively for your use and is not transferable to another person. It is also not redeemable for cash, nor is it refundable, saleable, donatable, giftable, or shareable. Violation of these terms will result in immediate deactivation of the Store Credit Voucher, rendering it null and void.

Begin Your Preloved Journey