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How to shop vintage
I love the idea of vintage clothes but I can never find any good stuff when I go to opshops, just ugly old secondhand stuff. Where do you find all the cool amazing vintage stuff and do you have any tips for buying vintage clothes?
Need the perfect excuse to go on a Thelma and Louise style road trip across New Zealand? Look no further than op-shop shopping! All the best stuff is off the beaten track so don’t bother with big city op-shops, unless you want over priced, barely vintage pieces. If you have never stopped in that no-name town on your annual family vacation chances are no one else has either. Pull over your station wagon (you will need a big car) and find that gem of a second-hand store that hasn’t been picked over by the vintage magpies from the big cities…Yet! Generally the more obscure the place, the more likely it is to have amazing vintage finds.
And once you find your vintage Mecca, remember these tips:
Buy your size. Alterations can be an expensive enterprise, and unless you are a talented seamstress or have one in your family, the easiest thing to do is buy things that fit you straight off the rack. If you absolutely must have that amazing vintage sequined butterfly top then be realistic at the cost of altering it to fit.
Know your fabrics. Textiles have come along way since the days of vintage rayon and polyester. You may fall in love with a 60’s mod dress but you will not love it when you are sweating up a storm after shaking your booty on the dance floor. Vintage synthetics are even less breathable than the ones available now. Look for cottons, silks, wools and leathers – natural fibres not only breathe but they wear well too.
Condition, condition, condition. The three rules of vintage shopping. Check every inch of the garment for holes, snags or stains. Small holes are usually salvageable but large ones are pretty hard to cover up - so stay clear! Stains can be deceptive, you may think the coffee stain you spilt on your white top last week was a cinch to remove, however if it’s a coffee stain from the 70’s it will prove more of a challenge. Check the stores returns policy, most of the charity shops sell on an as is basis so you may be stuck with an unwearable rag.
Do some research before you go. Check out what the cool op shops in your area are stocking and keep an eye out for similar items on your travels. Most importantly, remember to let me know about the best op-shops you find in the comments section below… just kidding, never divulge your vintage secrets… ever.
Article by Rebecca Flavell. Who is Rebecca? Find out here, and get to know the rest of the 24/7 Girl team too. Or check out her blog here.
Got a question for Rebecca? Click here!>>
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“I LOVE op shopping, especially with my best friend or my mum. We always find cute little ‘60s and ‘70s dresses! I once actually bought one for $1, later sold it for $200.. oops “ which shops / what locations do u go to? i love op shoping but can never find anything like a cute dress Posted by Ellie_xox "on" 01/05 "at"08:18 AM |
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.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) - were in NZ do you generally go ??? xx Posted by Ellie_xox "on" 01/03 "at"01:32 PM |
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I LOVE op shopping, especially with my best friend or my mum.
We always find cute little ‘60s and ‘70s dresses! I once actually bought one for $1, later sold it for $200.. oops Funny story, it was my wedding day in 1 week, I still hadn’t found the perfect dress. So… my friends dragged me out. I knew exactly what I wanted! A cute pink 50’s ballerina dress. (I had bought pink ballerina heels 3 years before). Anyway, I couldn’t find what I wanted anywhere! Until… we walked into ‘Peachy Keen’ on Queen St. There I saw the most amazing perfect pink ballerina dress. It was over 60 years old and was the owner’s favourite dress. He said not many girls fitted it, and many had tried it on. Luckily for me I’m a size 6! It fitted so perfectly and looked even better with a tutu underneith, I think it was made for me! The lace was so delicate, it was a little torn in some places. But unnoticeable. for $150 it was a bargain! So… I fixed it up, put pink butterflies and flowers in my hair, wore light pink stockings and a tutu underneath. I had pearls on my neck and wrist, and simple makeup. One of the best finds I think Posted by lucybowen@nzgirl.co.nz "on" 08/22 "at"05:15 PM |
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I do hate op shops tho, why.. because my mum loves them.. ive only just started buy clothes off trade me! lmaO Posted by Xxc0rtxX "on" 08/12 "at"12:38 AM |
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My mate got a fur jacket in aus for 65Au dollars, and then two months later they became fashion and they were selling yuck brown ones in stores for 2000! she got such a good buy! Posted by Xxc0rtxX "on" 08/12 "at"12:37 AM |
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You need to go out in the suburbs, other wise they charge way to much! Posted by Xxc0rtxX "on" 08/12 "at"12:36 AM |
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When I was younger the thought of Second-hand clothing quite literally repulsed me tbqh. As i’m in Highschool now I really don’t mind buying a few items from there once and a while - I love vintage jewellery and *Cocktail rings are very popular and theres so much jewellery out there to look through. Not to mention it’s a bargain :O Loving the vintage shopping Posted by Sugaax! "on" 08/08 "at"01:15 AM |
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I agree with 8015!! I used to reeeaally hate it. But then I went to paper bag princess… and it all changed :D Posted by Bee "on" 08/07 "at"09:09 PM |
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I love love looooove Op Shopping- I was realy againced it at the start (like, ew, someone else has worn this) but nah, you just have to find one georgious thing that noone else will ever have, and you’re hooked. Awesome thing to get into also if you’re into sewing as it’s the cheapest way to get clothes to practice on. And remember that a heck of a lot of things look so much better on a person rather than on the rack- try some things on, you might be surpised:) Posted by 8015 "on" 06/15 "at"10:20 PM |
Best of the rest
I love being different and it Sucks when you walk into the room wearing the same thing as someone else.. you go from feeling liek you look AMAZING to like “ahh can i take this off now ” ..but because all todays fashion is really just being recycled op shops are so handy for some trendy shopping, you’ll always be in fashion and you’ll always be 100% original