Nine fashion people share their most complimented op shop find
image via @lilybeamish/instagram
words by lara daly
Proof you should never walk past a thrift store without popping in.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who have luck at op shops, and those who don’t. I unfortunately fall in to the latter. The rare times I’ve had success while thrifting are thanks to friends who spot things first and say “you might like this!”
The lesson here is to always take a blessed op-shopper with you (bribe them with pastries if you must). For me, curated designer consignment stores are a safer bet but of course, you pay for it. Meanwhile, those who regularly hit up charity shops and sprawling flea markets are rewarded with bargains in the single digits.
A five dollar fill-a-bag on a good day is hard to beat, but being complimented on your op shop find by a stranger comes pretty close. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked where I got my brown suede handbag from, and I get to smugly answer “Glebe markets, 30 bucks.”
There’s always a good story behind a pre-loved purchase and below, nine fashion industry people tell me about one that always seems to reel in the compliments.
Jade Leung, fashion stylist
“If you can try to look past the school of Labubus (I promise they aren’t all mine), you’ll see me in my favourite men’s leather blazer. I grabbed this while in search of glassware for my husband’s wine bar, at The Waverley Antique Bazaar.
My search for a leather blazer had begun at the beginning of the year, after a summer of re-bingeing Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. I loved the cut and bagginess, and its slightly worn-in leather. Most of all, I love that this second-hand find always seems to be the blazer that gets the most compliments.”
Parth Rahatekar, writer and poet
“Ever since I was little, I wanted a heat-set pleat skirt in emerald green. Well, not really, but that’s what it felt like when I put this one on. I knew it had to come home with me. I found it at A Plus Market, so not a traditional op shop but shout out to this crazy, size inclusive op-shopping heaven!”
Isabelle Carson, fashion showroom manager
“I found this faux fur jacket at an op shop in Wellington for $15. I’ve always been a huge fan of fur and fluffy clothes, and this jacket is one of the best in my collection. Everything about it is perfect – the shape, the collar, the length, the volume of fur – and I always get asked where it’s from when I wear it! Funnily enough, it’s old Glassons and the quality is actually amazing.”
Ashleigh Williams, actor and model
“I love many things. A deep plunge neckline, an open back, something to show my non-existent waist and, an unnecessary detail that holds it all together. Luckily this top I got from the Silverlake Flea market in LA has all of those things! The moment I saw it I knew it had to be mine. The colour, the versatility, the drape over the money makers… Necks are broken and sweet nothings are sent my way anytime I wear this.”
Ariana Rigazzi, writer and Fashion Journal intern
“I was desperately searching for a warm coat to get me through my Euro-winter trip that wouldn’t drain my bank account or swallow me whole. A week before I left, I found this unbelievable vintage leather trench tucked away in a Savers for $39 (I cried).
Even though it was too heavy to lug across Europe, I’ve worn it religiously in Melbourne and it scores me a compliment every time. Or I get told I look like I’m from The Matrix, which is a compliment in my books.”
Izzy Wight, writer
“After an unsuccessful morning of trawling through Shein and Zara at op shops in London’s East, I found this incredible fitted linen jacket that made it all worth it. The tag has been cut out, which means I’m able to project all my wildest brand fantasies onto this otherwise anonymous garment (is it old Prada? Miu Miu, perhaps?)
While I’ve only worn it a handful of times, it’s fast becoming a crowd favourite. The fit is perfect and when worn with a pleated black mini skirt and beat-up ballet flats, it really encapsulates the nonchalant-preppy thing I’m going for right now.”
Harry Reid, digital creator
“Asking me to choose just one of my most complimented op shop finds is like asking a mother to choose her favourite child… but unlike most mothers who are posed that question, I’m willing to tell the truth. I picked up this gorgeous two-toned Yves Saint Laurent waistcoat, grey pinstripe at the front and gold satin at the back, at an op shop in Wellington a few years ago and get complimented every time I wear it.
However, I recently received the highest compliment of all; winning grand prize walking ‘labels’ (a category which requires you to have a head-to-toe designer look) at a ballroom function in Sydney. Most of my clothes are secondhand, so I wanted to challenge myself and put together a cohesive, thrifted designer look, and the waistcoat was the perfect thing to tie it all together.”
Frankie Anderson-Byrne, Assistant Editor at Beat Magazine
“I audibly gasped when I saw this blue skirt pattern peeking out from the rack at a tiny local Salvos. I’d been searching for something exactly like this for so long (it was on the Pinterest board) and I’ve got so much wear out of it, and a compliment every time she’s worn! The gorgeous black singlet was found on the same day, I love the beautiful silky material and I wear it backwards because I prefer a high, straight neckline.”
Lily Beamish, writer
“Last year, I got into a bit of an amorphous funk in relation to my personal style, I was wearing a lot of oversized shapes and a lot of layers. I don’t love wearing tight things, but one of my goals for the year was to tap back into my femininity in the way I dress, while still feeling comfortable and myself.
I bought this lace top for $12 at The Vintage Shed in Tyabb because I think it brought a sense of playful femininity to my wardrobe, while still being loose and able to be layered when I don’t feel like showing skin. It feels equal parts 2012 Tumblr and now, and it’s always beautiful girls that complement it, which is who I dress for.”
For more on pre-loved fashion, try this.
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