I'm not a great opshopper, i find i get overwhelmed at the amount of stuff and around here there doesn't seem to be any bargains, it's either so expensive for something obviously worn or used or its out of shape kmart stuff that is more expensive than a new one. I'm not a good shopper anyway so searching through piles of stuff to find the gem gets old quickly. I do have some family and friends who are great at it and always makes me wish i was better.
I am however a very good donator to op shops if that counts for anything
Compared to what some people get, I don't think I am that good, except for maybe books, I can almost always find a book. And like you, I am excellent at donating!
Kate, I'm totally with you! While I think op shops are a great idea, I'm just not good at shopping there! I have family and friends who find all the good stuff, like sniffer dogs! I'm way better at donating to them!
Ooh, I am an avid op shopper, also in Perth. I haven’t been up to the Hills for ages to check out the shops. I’ve always loved browsing through op shops and over the years I’ve found some gorgeous items.
I’ve started looking at upcycling and reimagining clothes now - right now I’m wearing a boxy top I made from a gorgeous embroidered tablecloth I found in Vinnies for $2. I had so many comments at work today. Teamed with a Country Road skirt from the same Vinnies ($4), I’m pretty happy with the outfit.
I also look for beautiful items to add to my home and again, I’ve found some great pieces. If I could go op shopping tomorrow, I would!
Hello from Perth! I am loving following along, thanks for sharing! Which op shops do you like in Perth? I am in the hills and have had some great finds in one in Wattle Grove - found new Sheike and Cos trousers.
Funny you shared this as I have that Avoca cookbook and was wondering should I donate. I am Irish originally and Avoca is an amazing store at home. Gorgeous irish crafts and they have the best restaurants - all the salads in that book are fantastic. And the irish soda bread.
Hello!!! I'm SOR, where are you? My local ones are the Ranford Rd strip & the Railway Ave ones, but I do love getting out to the Cannington ones as often as I can. I don't get to the High Road ones often. but there are some big ones out that way.
I bought the Avoca cookbook because when I was small, I went to preschool at Avoca beach. I think it was above the surf club.....And I love the look of the salads & bread!
I'll have to check all those out! My dream day would be a tour of the best op shops! I am in Lesmurdie. There is an amazing one that has a room of books in Kalamunda, worth a visit. But I cannot for the life of me figure out their opening hours....adds to teh fun! ;)
That is lovely about the Avoca book - their cafes and foodhalls are amazing. And their wool - if you fancy spending a fortune have a look on their website! xxx
Oh my gosh!!!!! That is quite the op-shop trip!!!! But to be honest, why did she bring a dog inside an op shop??? I think the whole idea of bringing dogs to shops has gone too far. And I say that as someone who owns two dogs, so it's not that I dislike dogs, I just don't enjoy having them inside shops.
I’m a recent convert, but at the moment I give more than get. But I agree that they are central to supporting communities in so many ways. Keep up the good work!
I adore op shopping, especially with a fellow opshop tragic like myself 🙃
Books always follow me home from opshops, as do old Pears soap pictures. I’m getting pretty savvy in the clothes section as well, and love finding a good quality piece of clothing for less than you’d pay for a mass-produced thing in KMart.
My sons were raised wearing opshop clothes and playing with second hand toys & books. Very proud to say they’re both still very wise with their money and love finding a good bargain 🥰
I am the opposite of Maggie; I prefer to shop alone so I can take as long or as little as I like. But when my mum comes to visit, I don't mind going with her, it reminds me of being young :)
I love to opshop! I usually go at least once a fortnight. My go-tos are books, crockery (I have a weakness for cute bowls), earrings, games and workout clothes. I spent so many years looking for kids toys, that I can’t shake the habit now and always stop in that section for a look too.
I have a theory that (mostly) you can’t go in with a fixed idea of what you want, you have to keep an open mind and see what the opshop gods want to gift you that day. At least half the time I leave without buying anything. I just enjoy pottering through them.
I agree that it's good to go in with no idea of what you are looking for, my list is more of a reminder of things to keep an eye out for. I never thought to look for workout gear, but that's a good idea.
Perhaps this is why I don’t enjoy it: too used to going shopping with my list!! (I do however enjoy watching my eldest girl overflow with excitement in op shops, they’re one of her happy places.)
Sometimes they are overwhelming too because there is soooooo much to sort through. Places that sort clothes by size or colour are my favourite because it’s easier to search by my size or my colours.
I'm not a great opshopper, i find i get overwhelmed at the amount of stuff and around here there doesn't seem to be any bargains, it's either so expensive for something obviously worn or used or its out of shape kmart stuff that is more expensive than a new one. I'm not a good shopper anyway so searching through piles of stuff to find the gem gets old quickly. I do have some family and friends who are great at it and always makes me wish i was better.
I am however a very good donator to op shops if that counts for anything
Compared to what some people get, I don't think I am that good, except for maybe books, I can almost always find a book. And like you, I am excellent at donating!
Kate, I'm totally with you! While I think op shops are a great idea, I'm just not good at shopping there! I have family and friends who find all the good stuff, like sniffer dogs! I'm way better at donating to them!
Do not ever throw out that little dress R! It’s so cute and mendable and one day a little girl will wear it (or you could frame it!).
I loved every word of your essay, lovely writing xx
Oh my gosh, I love the idea of framing it!!!!
Ooh, I am an avid op shopper, also in Perth. I haven’t been up to the Hills for ages to check out the shops. I’ve always loved browsing through op shops and over the years I’ve found some gorgeous items.
I’ve started looking at upcycling and reimagining clothes now - right now I’m wearing a boxy top I made from a gorgeous embroidered tablecloth I found in Vinnies for $2. I had so many comments at work today. Teamed with a Country Road skirt from the same Vinnies ($4), I’m pretty happy with the outfit.
I also look for beautiful items to add to my home and again, I’ve found some great pieces. If I could go op shopping tomorrow, I would!
When I was sewing, I always brought fabric, sheets & tablecloths home to turn into things. It's so fun!
Where in Perth are you? I'm SOR :)
Me too - Baldivis:)
Oh, you aren’t far from me! I sometimes check out the Rockingham ones if I’m down that way.
I like the Vinnies in Port Kennedy and the one in Kwinana. I’ve found some great clothes there!
Look forward to getting to know you on here.
Hello from Perth! I am loving following along, thanks for sharing! Which op shops do you like in Perth? I am in the hills and have had some great finds in one in Wattle Grove - found new Sheike and Cos trousers.
Funny you shared this as I have that Avoca cookbook and was wondering should I donate. I am Irish originally and Avoca is an amazing store at home. Gorgeous irish crafts and they have the best restaurants - all the salads in that book are fantastic. And the irish soda bread.
Gill x
Hello!!! I'm SOR, where are you? My local ones are the Ranford Rd strip & the Railway Ave ones, but I do love getting out to the Cannington ones as often as I can. I don't get to the High Road ones often. but there are some big ones out that way.
I bought the Avoca cookbook because when I was small, I went to preschool at Avoca beach. I think it was above the surf club.....And I love the look of the salads & bread!
I'll have to check all those out! My dream day would be a tour of the best op shops! I am in Lesmurdie. There is an amazing one that has a room of books in Kalamunda, worth a visit. But I cannot for the life of me figure out their opening hours....adds to teh fun! ;)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yJkPVoJtS3qkeMo2A - St Barnabas OP Shop.
That is lovely about the Avoca book - their cafes and foodhalls are amazing. And their wool - if you fancy spending a fortune have a look on their website! xxx
I haven’t been up to Kalamunda for years! I used to go up to the markets quite often so I’ll have to head back up soon.
Reannon! I hope you avoid ever taking a dog with you into the op shop changing room. This happened last Saturday- https://eregnans.substack.com/p/stillness-in-a-crowded-op-shop
Oh my gosh!!!!! That is quite the op-shop trip!!!! But to be honest, why did she bring a dog inside an op shop??? I think the whole idea of bringing dogs to shops has gone too far. And I say that as someone who owns two dogs, so it's not that I dislike dogs, I just don't enjoy having them inside shops.
I’m a recent convert, but at the moment I give more than get. But I agree that they are central to supporting communities in so many ways. Keep up the good work!
I think lots of people donate more than they buy, which is good for people like me who buy lots, lol
I adore op shopping, especially with a fellow opshop tragic like myself 🙃
Books always follow me home from opshops, as do old Pears soap pictures. I’m getting pretty savvy in the clothes section as well, and love finding a good quality piece of clothing for less than you’d pay for a mass-produced thing in KMart.
My sons were raised wearing opshop clothes and playing with second hand toys & books. Very proud to say they’re both still very wise with their money and love finding a good bargain 🥰
I am the opposite of Maggie; I prefer to shop alone so I can take as long or as little as I like. But when my mum comes to visit, I don't mind going with her, it reminds me of being young :)
I love to opshop! I usually go at least once a fortnight. My go-tos are books, crockery (I have a weakness for cute bowls), earrings, games and workout clothes. I spent so many years looking for kids toys, that I can’t shake the habit now and always stop in that section for a look too.
I have a theory that (mostly) you can’t go in with a fixed idea of what you want, you have to keep an open mind and see what the opshop gods want to gift you that day. At least half the time I leave without buying anything. I just enjoy pottering through them.
I agree that it's good to go in with no idea of what you are looking for, my list is more of a reminder of things to keep an eye out for. I never thought to look for workout gear, but that's a good idea.
Perhaps this is why I don’t enjoy it: too used to going shopping with my list!! (I do however enjoy watching my eldest girl overflow with excitement in op shops, they’re one of her happy places.)
Sometimes they are overwhelming too because there is soooooo much to sort through. Places that sort clothes by size or colour are my favourite because it’s easier to search by my size or my colours.