All You Need To Know About The Art Of Op-Shopping

Fashion & Fun on a Budget!

With the festive season and summer holidays over it can come as a bit of a rude shock when life as we know it (work and study for most of us!) kicks back in - when everything switches from cruisy to crazy. Personally, I often find myself feeling a little bewildered and unsure of whether or not I can cope in the real world after all that summer fun! And more often than not, the bank balance is still looking a bit worse for wear after the workout it got with Christmas pressies & parties, eating out, movies, and possibly a few extra pairs of shoes that maybe we didn't really need……

Anyway, if you're in need of some retail therapy without breaking the bank, here's the perfect solution - OP-SHOPPING! All you need are a few dollars, a little patience, and a dash of imagination. It works on so many levels - it's cheap, you get to be creative and find individual items that no one else will have, and the money you spend is going to a good cause!

Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most out of your shabby-chic experience!

Go with a good friend

Op shopping can be a fairly long process which requires a lot of patience. Some days you might spend 3 hours looking and find nothing, other days you hit the jackpot. It's a lot more fun if you have a friend to chat with, laugh about some of the crazy outfits you see (maybe even try a few on!), and of course to tell you honestly if the 70's print skirt you're trying on is retro in a good way, or is past its due date! Make a day of it, go for lunch or coffee somewhere afterwards to discuss your purchases.

Think outside the square

Don't just look for the type of clothing you usually buy at new stores. Start by scouring the racks for interesting fabrics, patterns and textures. If you spot a cool fabric check it out, and even if it looks like a 'no-hoper', try it on anyway. It's amazing how different stuff can look when it's on. If something has no shape think about adding a belt or scarf around the waist - it can make all the difference! Some of my best purchases have been items I thought were definite shockers, but I tried them on just for a laugh, and something magical happened!

Be willing to make adjustments

If something doesn't fit quite right think about whether or not you can change it - its pretty easy to chop up a dress and end up with a cute little skirt or top, or take seams in if you can manage a few stitches on a sewing machine (or have a parent who can!). Even if it doesn't work out, at the very least you'll end up with a head-scarf, and you've only lost a few dollars! I'm a dodgy sewer but have a few dresses in my collection that were once 3 sizes too big, now I wear them with pride & get heaps of comments on the unique fabrics & cool retro styles (they don't need to know it only cost me $4!). There are even high-end fashion designers who buy op-shop stuff, alter it a bit, add a few things here and there, and BAM, you've got a garment that's guaranteed to be a one-off that sells for a high price - personally I'd rather do it myself, I think that's half the fun!

Change the Subject

If you're not having any luck with clothes it's not worth getting too frustrated over. It happens…..often! I usually switch my attention then to finding a cool accessory - belts, beads, handbags, scarves, sunnies and hats are all in abundant supply. If you still have no luck check out the kitchen stuff - they usually have some fabulous retro glasses; you could buy a single one and use it as a vase. A cute little plate or bowl could become somewhere to store your favourite jewelery. There are also pictures, posters, books and records - the choices are endless. If you're in the right mood it can feel like you fell into a giant treasure chest!

Wash it

This one probably goes without saying for anything that's second-hand, but I strongly recommend you wash or clean anything you buy before using it. The clothes have generally been washed before going onto the racks, but for your own peace of mind wash it anyway! They are often dusty or smell a bit like mothballs, which is never a good thing for anyone under 70! Sterilise any earrings, clean jewellery, sunnies, hats, scarves, everything.

Be Friendly

While making conversation with pensioners may not usually be your idea of fun, remember that the people working in these stores are volunteers. They're not getting paid for their time, so be polite, put stuff back where you found it, including clothes back on their correct racks, and you never know, at the end of the day you might even score yourself extra discount!!

So, that's about all the advice I can give you from my 12 years of op-shopping experience (I started young!). The main thing is to relax, enjoy yourself, and don't stress if you don't find anything! You're at least guaranteed a few laughs along the way.