MINDFUL SHOPPING: OP SHOPS

There was a time in the 20th century when visiting charity or opportunity shops, better known these days simply as ‘op shops’, was something never talked about. Buying second-hand clothes or furniture was viewed not as recycling but as a sign of poverty, and was committed only by the frugal, needy or desperate. However, as the population of the world continues to expand, there’s a growing need to conserve resources. And so the op shop has come into its own.

The idea is that if you have unwanted possessions – such as books, clothing or cutlery – you can donate them to a charitable organisation, which will resell them at a low price to people on a tight budget. This both raises funds and makes clothing (along with other necessities) affordable to people who might be down on their luck. In recent years, some op shops have become very organised, and charities may buy bulk consignments of goods to resell.

I prefer to buy from a charity shop whenever I can as I like to know my money is going to help someone in need – and I’m helping to recycle. I also like the element of surprise offered by op shops. Ask any of my friends or work colleagues, and there’s one thing they’ll agree on – that’s my unique sense of (ahem) style.

As a performing arts student, I was never particularly interested in merging with the crowd. Living away from home for the first time, I was exhilarated at discovering my own identity. Clothes were a central part of this process. Not only was op-shop clothing affordable, but its offerings were so diverse – from the mundane and conservative business shirt, handy for job interviews and formal outings, to the outrageous highs of the 1970s, such as woven tartan pants and shirts more akin to wallpaper than anything designer label.

Some of my most memorable purchases included a pair of army boots, a spectacular shiny gold-striped shirt and a pair of pink woollen flares from 1972 complete with their original label.

Many op shops also offer a furniture and kitchen section, which for a poor student really helped make a rented flat feel more like a home. And the friendly volunteers who operate the counters are always ready for a chat and happy to express an opinion – whether you want it or not.

To this day, I still can’t walk past an op shop without taking a peek. And that’s the appeal – even if you only have five minutes to spare and $10 in your wallet, you just never know what you might find.

HOW TO OP-SHOP LIKE A PRO

•  Find out where the op shops most likely to fulfil your needs are located, and set aside some time to make a visit.

•  Organise to go op-shopping with friends, and make a day of it.

•  If you’re on a budget, make a list of the things you need and stick to it.

•  Visit regularly – by their very nature, op shops constantly renew their stock.