A guide to the best op shops in Brisbane
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NIKOLA DUKIC
WORDS BY MAEVE KERR-CROWLEY
Thrift, swap and scavenge to your heart’s content.
In case you somehow missed it, op shopping is everything. Whether you were raised in an op shop-worshipping home and have been a regular in Vinnies since you learnt to walk, or you’ve just recently discovered the joy of secondhand goods, you likely know the mood-boosting power that a successful thrift trip holds.
While we should all be thinking critically about issues like overconsumption and gentrification, even when op shopping, there are a lot of benefits to consciously shopping secondhand.
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Finding a once-in-a-lifetime bargain on something nobody else you know owns, getting to smugly tell your friends, “Oh, this? I got it at the op shop,” and knowing you’re doing your small part to disrupt the environmentally damaging fashion cycle – just to name a few.
Brisbane may be a little less of an op shop haven than cities like Melbourne or Sydney, but there are some real gems to dive into if you know where to look.
Swop and Local Opy
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Swop is a clothing exchange also enjoyed in Melbourne and Sydney, trading in only the highest quality pieces that must meet certain preset criteria. As well as a standard Swop location, West End is home to the store’s offshoot op shop, Local Opy. Running more like a traditional thrift store, Local Opy sells donated clothes that don’t quite meet Swop’s strict exchange standards. The best part: it operates on set pricing, giving you a greater chance to find amazing items for cheap.
Vinnies
The St Vincent de Paul Society (or Vinnies, as it’s known to basically everyone) is a staple in Australian op shopping. The nationwide organisation sells clothes, furniture, books and just about everything else under the sun, using its profits to support a wide variety of people including Indigenous Australians, people experiencing homelessness, children and refugees. There are over 140 Vinnies stores spread across Queensland, with the West End and Newstead locations often touted as the cream of the crop.
Studio Thrifty 4
Besides having an incredibly fun name, the biggest appeal of Studio Thrifty 4 in Bowen Hills is that everything sells for under $5, no matter what brand is plastered on the label. It’s even better if you make your trip on a $2.50 sale day. Small but mighty, the store sells clothing and accessories under the watchful eye of a disco ball or two, with proceeds supporting people experiencing homelessness through the Pay a Sack Forward charity.
instagram.com/studio_thrifty_4
Lil J’s Vintage Market
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Running once or twice a month, Lil J’s Vintage Market is a community-centric market with the feel of the world’s best garage sale. Hosting a huge variety of secondhand sellers armed with amazing finds from designer and vintage brands, these markets are a great opportunity to scavenge for the kinds of pieces you’ll be bragging to your friends about for months.
Salvos
There are more than 30 Salvos stores in Brisbane alone, each offering the unique flavour of the suburbs they call home. Some stores (including the Red Hill location) contain sections dubbed Street Boutiques, where you’ll find a more curated range of designer items and unique finds. One hundred per cent of Salvos proceeds go towards Salvation Army community programs.
Yesterdays
Boasting five stores across Brisbane, Yesterdays Thrift Shop is the place to go for affordable, quality clothing and the chance to luck into an amazing designer find. Donated stock is also available to purchase online, if you can’t make your way in-store. All funds go directly to The Developing Foundation Inc. to support children and adults with brain injuries or developmental disabilities.
Ra Ra Superstar
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The very cutely named Ra Ra Superstar is a combo vintage and handmade clothing seller that really nails the brightly coloured, cool girl aesthetic. Both its Paddington store and Depop page are packed with a lot of bold florals, handmade crop tops made from vintage textiles and fun two-piece sets.
Vintage Revival
Vintage Revival in Annerly is a large, emporium-style outlet run by Lifeline. Located on the same road as a number of other op shops (giving you the perfect excuse to hit them all in one fell swoop), this store is well known not only for its collection of everyday clothes, but also its stock of more dramatic, out-there vintage pieces just waiting for the bold-hearted. It’s also perfect for those looking for more sustainable costume choices.
Retro Metro
Retro Metro is somewhat of an institution in Paddington for those in the know. Located under a weatherbeaten Queenslander, this small treasure trove sells a mixture of newer and vintage pieces. You’ll find truly stunning vintage clothing, accessories and a delightful array of knickknacks and gadgets from the past century or so.
instagram.com/retrometropaddington
For more on how to shop secondhand consciously, head here.
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