How To Be A Thrift Lord

Crank this tune because it's time to hit up the thrift shop:

Look. I was never a fan of op shops. Not because I'm rich or anything... Far from that to be completely honest 🤑

I honestly just couldn't stop sneezing around the old, musty smells. I mean, it's no secret that op shops are chockers with old items.

But when I learned about fast fashion and started trying to minimise my carbon footprint, I realised how powerful op-shopping was. And trust us, there's room for all of us to become pro's at minimising our overconsumption while doing our part in saving the world!

@itstahnee let’s go to the thrift shop 🥰 #thrift #thrifted #thriftshop #opshop #opshopping #opshoppingaustralia #salvosstores #minivlog #sydney #fyp #foryou ♬ kiss me back girl - veggibeats

1. Have a list

Op-shopping can sometimes be pretty overwhelming. It's obviously not as curated as a fast-fashion store so you may spend a little extra time sifting through the racks (that's the fun of it though, right!?).

I like to go in with a list of things I'm looking for. Perhaps a black blazer, some mum jeans or a white singlet. This helps you narrow down the store a little bit and keep your 👀 on the prize.

2. Be patient

Like I said before, op-shopping can be a little frazzling. Sometimes, there isn't a lot of rhyme or reason. So listen to some bangers or a podcast going in, or head in with mates. 

Yes, sometimes you won't find any gems. But other times, oh man, you will find some unreal pieces that won't cost an arm and a leg 🙌

3. Dress appropriately

Some thrift stores don’t have changing rooms, so think about wearing something you can easily slip secondhand clothing over to try on. 

4. Get your items tailored

I am the world's worst sewer, but luckily my nana loooooves to sew. 

The truth is, a lot of the time you'll find incredible pieces that just don't fit you properly. But if you're able to tailor it and DIY it up, the world is your dang oyster. Seriously, suss out the DIY part of YouTube or TikTok - it'll change your life. 

5. Know when the stores restock

Most op shops are obviously chockers on the weekend and many quality finds may be gone by then. Suss out when your local thrift stores restock new items! That could be your op-shopping day. 

6. Be specific

This applies to ONLINE op-shopping via Facebook Marketplace, Depop or Ebay. 

Especially with Depop, if you type in 'jeans' your phone will explode from the amount of matches. So be specific! Maybe look up a few brands 'Levis', 'Rollas', 'Wrangler'. Look up potential styles that you'd like. 'Flared', 'skinny', 'embroidered', 'pink'... Bingo. You might just find a banger.

I was looking for a suede, fringe 70s jacket for weeks and checked back regularly on Depop. When I finally saw my dream jacket uploaded, I nabbed that up in a second! Being specific (and patient) works, people!

7. Give back

We're obviously talking about op shopping as a sustainable option while being a fun activity to dive into now and then. But for some people, it's the only option they have. So give👏 back👏.. Donate old things to Vinnies and Salvos. Donate to charities and not-for-profit organisations. Give some to get some, hey 🥰