Secondhand Havens for Vintage Mavens

A whole outfit for less than $50: from the top, a wool beret, about $6; dot print blouse, $5; pure wool skirt, $10; leather and wood heels, $26

Once upon a time, I was the Op-Shopping Queen. True, it was a self-styled title, but I deserved it. All my friends would vouch for it as they gasped in awe over my brilliant vintage bargains. Nowadays I do more shopping online – why shop in Melbourne alone and risk swollen feet when the world is just a few clicks away?

Yesterday I suddenly decided to go back to my roots. I caught the bus to Abbotsford, one of my old hunting grounds. There are two Salvos stores there – secondhand havens for vintage mavens.

In the first store, I found a few pieces of vintage jewellery, including this marvelous tiara. I was a bit dubious at first – I mean, do I really need another tiara after all? But then I tried it on and hello: Princess! I also found an almost-periwinkle tee and a hot pink wide belt. Onwards, fashionistas!

I headed to the other Salvos, a matter of ten-minutes’ walk. There I hit a bonanza as soon as I stepped in the door and confronted another jewellery rack. An tribal neckpiece that jingled (I’d seen similar things in Vietnam), followed in quick succession by a hot pink tank with ribbon appliqué; a cherry print tank (adore!); a pair of red leather and wooden heeled shoes; a striped blue and grey marle knit – so soft and comfy; a cute little dot-printed fluttery-sleeved blouse in navy and white; a houndstooth pleated wool skirt (by Aussie schoolgirl icon Fletcher Jones), also in navy and white; an opera-length pewter-coloured bead necklace; a red wool beret … I think that’s everything. Oh yes, and a stack of DVDs, including Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons, which for some mysterious reason I had omitted to add to my collection already. [See a few more pics on the SNAP Facebook page.]

Two cotton tops – I prefer to buy natural materials, although I make exceptions for unique items, such as this faux leather candy pink belt

Enamel ring, heart brooch, necklace and blinged-out hairclipTwo cotton tanks – I adore the details: ribbon appliqué and a gorgeous retro cherry print in a trapeze cut

… I hope for one of those magical shopping trips that will shine in my memory and eventually ascend into glorious legend

This doesn’t happen every time I go op-shopping of course. This is why I call it ‘hope-shopping’ – I hope for one of those magical shopping trips that will shine in my memory and eventually ascend into glorious legend. Sometimes I come away with only one or two items – other times I go home with my tail between my legs. Or occasionally, I might just hit the jackpot (ching! ching! ching!) with one incredibly brilliant, amazing, jaw-dropping find – like the crazy enormous feather hat I bought in Sydney earlier this year. But when it’s such a haul as yesterday, it’s so satisfying to come home and lay out all my loot on the bed and gloat over it.

Tribal neckpiece with bells that go jingle, jangle; it is happily not too noisy in normal wearTortoiseshell and diamantés make a lovely combination in this gracefully-curved clip

Some of you reading this will be nodding and grinning, remembering your most recent prizes captured on your last thrifting excursion. Others of you will be bemused, confused, fluttering your eyelashes like vintage virgins – just like my old work friends who begged me to teach them my way. I promised to take these girls on a grand op-shopping tour one Saturday, and in preparation wrote a mini manual for them. And now I am going to share it with you …

An Op-Shopping Training Manual for Novices
(Authorised Revised Version)

Welcome, new trainees!

Please take time to read your instructions before your first training session. Feel free to print this out and study it carefully.

BEFOREHAND

• Start looking for ideas for your seasonal look in magazines – this will also give you ideas on how to style outfits, and put you ahead of the game when eyeing dubious items. Tag or rip out ideas.
• Do some ‘scouting’: go into shops to see what’s out there; check out what people are wearing on the streets that you like.
• Objectively assess your current wardrobe and make a list of what you need.
• Think about what things you are always wishing you had, or really want.

OPTIONAL

Before the big day, if there are any charity stores in your neighbourhood, you may like to take the time to check them out and familiarise yourself with the layout and atmosphere so that you do not suffer from ‘op-shock’ on the day of your first class.

Shopping with my sister in the burbs, I try on a vintage faux sealskin coat (too large and heavy)

ON THE DAY

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
• Wear a simple hairstyle that won’t be ruined with pulling things over your head (and bring a clip or hairtie to put your hair up when you become hot and bothered).
• Wear plain underwear that will to flatter anything you try on; skintone is best.
• If you wish to match a specific item, take it with you if not too cumbersome.
• Be prepared to sift through racks carefully; a gem can easily be hidden between garments of dubious quality and/or cleanliness. When exhaustion overtakes, an easy technique to employ is to run your hands, and eyes, along the edges of hanging garments to locate good quality or appealing fabric – this is a quick way to avoid the dross.
• Do not forget to check the accessories (shoes, bags, belts, scarves, jewellery etc); shoes and bags can be risky – check for odours etc.
• Before purchasing, examine items carefully for stains, damage, missing buttons, cleaning instructions etc. Garments can be washed, mended, dyed or altered to fit but you need to factor in that cost.

You may like to take an experienced thrift-shopper with you; in this case:

• Do not discount potential garments immediately – if in doubt, consult your guide.
• If you find yourself beginning to develop ‘op-shop blindness’ ie, you are suddenly overwhelmed with disgust at the sight and feel of the hideous trash before you, immediately call for your trainer, who will be able to calm you down and prevent a panic attack.
• Above all, you need to have VISION. This may take time to develop, so don’t be disheartened.

Vintage milk bottle and blankets just like the ones I had as a childKewpie doll style salt and pepper shakersCandlestick holders, lampshades and just what everyone needs: a pressed-flower drinks tray!

PRICES

After continued exposure, you will develop a finely-tuned sense of what things should cost. Different op-shops have different pricing structures, not only taking into account which charity the shop is supporting, but the locale, and the nous of the staff. Many times obscure designer gems can be found at ridiculously low prices, while some high street chain store rag is priced at $20. 

Suburban op-shops can hide treasures at dirt-cheap prices, but that does not always hold true. It is true, however, that inner-city thrift shops have been heavily picked-over, by the vultures of society who are depriving you of shopping joy, and thus the triumph is sweeter when you do manage to pounce on an irresistible piece.

My least favourite style of hat: 60s pillbox, but so hideous it must be tried on After the initial euphoria of finding your first bargain, you may start to become indignant at the ridiculous prices some op-shops will charge, or you may begin to notice the onset of symptoms of opshopus desperadus – in lay terms, an increasing desperation to buy something – anything!

… you may begin to notice the onset of symptoms of opshopus desperadus …

In these cases you need to weigh up the pros and cons: what would you be willing to pay retail for this item – or would you actually even consider buying it if you had to pay retail prices? Usually items are in the op-shop for a very good reason. Do you really need this item? A bargain is not a bargain if you’re not going to use it. On the other hand, a $5 designer jumper that may have shrunk a little hurts your pocket considerably less than the $200 equivalent, the colour of which looks disgusting on you (you didn’t notice that under the flattering lights of the boutique), and consequently never wear.

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

• Bottle of water
• Sustaining snacks
• Large, hopeful tote bag

Happy hunting!