Top tips for op shopping

Switch someone’s old into your next new and help save the planet.

When did op shops and thrift shops become a big thing? To be honest, they’ve been around a long time, just think of the inter-generational heritage of the Salvos and Vinnies stores.

Long before ‘vintage’ meant only cars and wine, op shops were a popular place to donate your old stuff. You knew it provided cost-effective options for shoppers with limited means and supported your local charities of choice. And savvy op shoppers knew that high quality items found their way into the stores via wardrobe clean-outs prompted by life events ie. change of address, kids growing up, death or divorce.

Fast fashion wasn’t a big thing then, so clothing was generally good quality with a long life. Everyone knew that the clothes were still good enough to re-use and it would be “such a waste” to bin them. This was the genesis of the vintage fashion trend which has helped amplify the message of sustainability.

Op shopping for vintage style (photo by @Eco_Thrifter)

Fast fashion vs sustainability

One of the reasons op shopping is a good fit with sustainability is because it extends a garment’s lifecycle. Fast fashion is a new term for an old habit: quick, cheap, disposable purchases. In this case short-lived trendiness, a quick ‘sugar fix’ of fashion, leaving you a little satisfied but not deeply so.

Wanting more? Of course you will, it’s like fast food but without the (dubious) nutrition. It’s all about keeping up with consumer demand for always wanting something new. But we know those ‘old’ clothes often become landfill.

Recycling your clothing is a great way to reduce such landfill. Consider donating to op shops or reselling them yourself online, at car boot sales or garage sales. It also saves on the resources that make those items (yes, that means you’re saving the planet too).

In fact there’s a whole movement underway for the annual Garage Sale Trail, read more here.

Sell or buy at The Garage Sale Trail across Australia in November each year.

Resellers and thrifters

Following the worldwide trend to online shopping, there’s even a category of online businesses who do all the leg-work for you: trawling the shops for perfectly good items and then offering them for resale from their own digital stores. Eco Thrifter at Forster is a good local example, selling pre-loved, vintage and unused treasures, all shipped 100% plastic-free for that extra boost of ecofriendly sustainability.

This is a great option if you’re not into the thrill of the treasure hunt, or don’t like the musty smells of some charity stores, or just don’t have the time to find the exact piece you’re after. Sure there’s a reseller’s markup included but then you haven’t wasted hours of your own precious time.

Getting expert help is always a good decision.

Op shop tips for the Garage Sale Trail

Watch these tips to make the most of garage sales in your area with @Eco-thrifter:

instagram.com/tv/CVTxoYPh-ID/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Op shopping at garage sales (photo by @Eco_Thrifter)

Op shops of the Barrington Coast

The Barrington Coast is a treasure trove of op shops, there are over 30 across our region so there’s always one or more close to you, see the list below.

In these shops you’ll find a huge choice of pre-loved stuff waiting to become someone’s big new thing. And it’s not just clothing treasures you’ll find, there are household items including books, CDs, vinyl records and home décor items too. Check out the retro crockery, picnic items and funky stuff for those with a bit of decorating flair. Who knows, you may even have your very own ‘Antiques Roadshow’ moment with that overlooked item you just uncovered.

Op shopping for cool retro homewares (photo by @Eco_Thrifter)

Top tips for op shopping like a boss

Here are some tips for a deeply satisfying shopping experience at op shops, garage sales and car boot sales:

Allocate the right amount of time: Op shops are like Doctor Who’s Tardis: bigger on the inside than they look from the outside! The aisles will be full from floor to ceiling so don’t rush it, be slow and steady, like that op shopping turtle.
Be persistent: You need to be a regular visitor down those aisles, so get friendly with the staff and find out when the new stock is sorted and put out for sale.
Be thorough: You know there’ll always be lots of stock and sometimes it’s not displayed in the same spot twice, so keep an eye out beyond your ‘usual’ section in the shop.
Learn to scan: It will take you forever to look at every item so scan for colours in your preferred palette and preferred style. This means you need to know what you’re looking for, so you need a plan.
Have a plan: Know what you need and look for those items. Otherwise you can go down the rabbit hole of endless browsing and impulse buying, which isn’t really the point here. And keep photos on your phone of the looks you’re after, as inspiration.
Look for quality: Unlike the old days, op shops are now full of donated fast fashion items. While some of these may be just what you need, give preference to items with quality fabrics and timeless looks. (See, you’re already shopping like a seasoned vintage stylist!)
Know your fix-it skills: You may ruin that outfit unless you know how to take it in, let it out, take it up or let it down. Find a good seamstress and your worries are over.
Ignore gender or age: This isn’t a department store, so feel free to cross boundaries to find something fabulous. Who cares if that’s a man’s shirt or a woman’s scarf? If you absolutely love it, buy it. Rules are for others.
Set your budget: This will help prevent an op shopping frenzy. Even better, take only cash… this will really enforce a little restraint. And it means you can probably come back again sooner.
Shop midweek: Donations are mostly made on weekends with sorting done Mon-Tue. Hit the shops Wed-Fri for a head start on the weekend warriors.
Say no to plastic bags: Always take your own cotton tote bags to carry your booty home. Longer straps allow you to sling them over your shoulder, leaving both hands free to browse like a pro.
See it, love it, buy it: Ask yourself: do I really need this? If it passes this test, then don’t hesitate. You can be pretty sure that it won’t be there next time, even if you’re just doing another loop around the aisles while you decide. But if it’s not really the style/colour you’re after, leave it to be discovered by a fellow op shopper.
Be kind: Because it’s cool to be kind. And be patient too, especially if you plan to haggle over price, as most staff are volunteering their time.