Average Woman's Guide to Op Shopping

In the era where polar icecaps are melting, the weather is going insane and reusable shopping bags are a fashion statement there is a natural and logical movement in the fashion space.

Sustainable, slow and recycled fashion is definitely a thing and it ain't going away. Clothing and fashion markets, clothing swaps, online selling platforms are all popping up on the scene as a way to buy and sell your 'still lovely but ready for a new home' goods. There is, however, another option that's been around for a while that's making a big comeback in the fashion game and that, my friends, is the old fashioned op shop.

Previously the home of clothes you bought for a costume party like second hand wedding dresses and jackets with shoulder pads so big they double as a neck brace, ops shops are changing it up and are stocking some bloody good pieces for a very reasonable price - good for your wallet and the environment. Hi five yourself babe! It's a double whammy!

Now, when it comes to op shopping I have a few simple tips to help prepare you for the best experience you can have.

Tip 1 - Allow some time

Successful op shopping is a time consuming art. There are not multiple sizes of the same style, sometimes things aren't grouped by sizes, sometimes they're not grouped at all! Little gems of goodness can be hidden between your great Aunt Flossy's Millers Jacket and the classic op shop polyester fire hazard. You need to take your time to look thoroughly and try things on to make sure you find a style win, not a fashion bin.

Tip 2 - Leave your expectations at the door

If you are op shopping with something specific in mind you probably (definitely) won't find it. Sounds pretty straight forward but it's worth pointing out anyway. It's like outlet shopping, what's there is there. Sometimes it might be an amazing jacket, other times it will be a stunning dress and sometimes it will be one of those singing trout wall plaques you've always wanted (or maybe that's just me....). And sometimes there will be nothing and you'll just have to come back another time. It's a game of chance so go ready to find the good stuff, whatever that might be!

Tip 3 - Rotate around on the regular

Umm excuse me?! Look, sounds weird but let me explain. Make sure you find 3-4 good op shops you pop into in your area. They keep getting new stock so the regular browser gets the worm (?) or at least the best finds before everyone else snaffles them up. Each shop gets different stuff too. One week one of your op shops will have a real treasure trove while the others have nothing. A months time and a different one might be the latest fashion gold mine. It's all the luck of the drawer - when you're in and looking determines what you find.

So there you have it, my tips for a successful op shopping experience. In Canberra I love Vinnes and rotate around Lonsdale Street, Weston Creek and Phillip for some cracking finds. I also have some gems from the Salvos in Woden and Fyshwick.

Maybe it's time to give your local op shop a try! You might pick up an absolute bargain! Or at the very least a fun second hand wedding dress.

Happy styling x