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I have been thrifting ever since I was little. I remem ber going to the Op Shops with my mum and sitting in the toy section of the Op Shop playing with what ever I found. I remember searching through racks to find the perfect outfit for a dress-up party or random themed dinner. At first, I was very anti the thrift shop, from the ages of 12 – 13 believing that all the clothes available for old grannies. Though as I grew older it became an essential part of my style and my fashion sense. I have found some awesome pieces of clothing over the years, at some really great prices that have stayed in my wardrobe for years now. Whoever’s grandpa who decided to donate their vintage Rip Curl wool len jumper or their planet Hollywood denim patch jacket, I am eternally grateful. 2.
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What is thrifting? The question you would be asking yourself if you had been living under a rock for the last few years. Let me give you a quick overview if you’re unfamiliar. It is taking something that may be deemed useless to one person but opens a whole new world of creativity and adventure for another. There are a variety of wonderful and wacky things you can find when shopping second hand, including clothing items, furniture, books, and more. You can repurpose clothes that have already lived another life and are ready to be repurposed with a fresh perspective.
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Globally, thrifting is known by many names. Australia refers to this as Op Shopping, whereas other countries refer to it as Thrifting or Second-Hand Shopping. For the case of this ZINE, I’ll be referring to it as Thrifting. It is possible to repurpose clothes that have already lived another life and are ready to be repurposed with a fresh perspective through thrifting. To put it anoth er way, it involves giving something that might seem useless to one person, and giving it a second chance of life in this world You never know what you will come across whilst thrifting when you search through the racks. It’s the best when all that hard work pays off and you find something that’s so unique or cool that it becomes a staple in your wardrobe. There is an argument that thrifting can help fight the ever-growing plague of fast fashion which tries to convince us that we need to buy everything brand new and wear it for only a short time. Fast fashion pieces often end up in the Op Shops, because individuals fall into the exact pattern. Keeping clothing out of landfills, which harms our planet and the earth, is one of the benefits of Thrifting. This means that the many toxins don’t end up in our waterways, as well as the many microplastics.
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Thrifting has evolved a lot over the years. It was in late 2016, when I first saw thrifting, coming into the global bubble of YouTube. Youtubers posted videos of their thrifting hauls of cute Levi’s Jeans and Harley-David sons shirts. It blew up the internet rising in popularity and introducing so many more people to the world of thrifting. It kept steadily increasing in popularity for a few years, until slowly dipping away. It wasn’t until around 2020 and the endless lockdowns, till thrifting regained its popularity, thanks to the likes of the sec ond-hand shopping app Depop. The Depop App allows everyday individuals to be able to sell their clothing items online, opening the gates to awesome second-hand pieces. Currently in 2022, we are seeing a huge rise in individuals thrifting all thanks to another online app, Tik Tok. Tik Tok which is currently one of the world’s largest social media apps, helped increased thrifting’s popularity once again. So much , that low rise jeans (which were highly looked down upon by society) are now back in fashion due to Y2K fashion now trendy again. All the ugly 2000’s pieces left in the Op Shops for years now are all snapped up and into the carts of many teenagers around the world. Though the popularity in thrifting has encouraged many to shop second hand over the years, it hasn’t come without its issues. Due to videos such as thrift hauls that feature giant thrift hauls with alot of pieces, there is an overconsumption issue not only to the cheap price point, but wanting to re-create these popular videos. In this sense it means that there is less on the racks for many people who finically are struggling and really can only afford to buy second hand items. It also means that many sizes are unavailable due to many oversized fitting trends coming and going over the years.
I mentioned before that the demand for the unique items being at an all-time high, which has caused for mega inflation prices on not only reselling the items, but the physical price of the item when purchasing it instore. Though these issues have arisen over the years, it is important that we don’t loss hope. By responsibly shopping second hand & only buying pieces that you need or truly love, we can ensure that the future of thrifting is strong for everyone. 4.
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Maggie Zhou is a sustainable fashion influencer, writer, and host of the popular podcast ‘Culture Club’. Maggie who lives in Melbourne, is known for her funky and fresh style on Instagram. She loves re-wearing her clothes and shopping sustainable fashion, so muc so she popularized the hashtag #reweardontcare to overcome the stigma as sociated with wearing clothing you have already worn. In my interview with Maggie, I got to hear how she is making a difference within the Australian fashion industry, as well as how consumers can be conscious about where their clothes are made.
M – Do you prefer vintage shopping or thrifting? Which one do you prefer & why?
Maggie - Year nine was about the first time I went thrifting, so I would’ve been around 14 or 15. I remember that it was super fun! I was quite gobsmacked at how many pieces I could find for such a low price, which really got me interested in fashion.
Maggie – Re-wearing clothes is so important to me because it’s felt quite obvious to some. But the mat ter of fact is because of social media, people are we wearing clothes less, or less inclined to photograph the same outfit and showcase it online. I think that it should be normalised because that means that we are getting the most out of our clothes and extend ing their life spans. Therefore, keeping them in our wardrobe longer and keeping them out of landfill longer as well.
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Maggie - My goodness! I love thrifting and I love vintage shopping and obviously there’s a crossover of both. I might say that for my roots, I have loved thrift ing for quite some time now, so it always has a special place in my heart. I would probably prefer that just because of the lower price point but as I grow older, and my income is able to a company vintage shop ping. I have really found a lot of joy in vintage shop ping, as well as consignment stores such as Goodbyes and SWOP. I feel like that’s a kind of middle ground are between thrifting and vintage shopping.
M – When was the first time you when thrifting & how did you get hooked?
M – Online you are a strong advocator for the hashtag #reweardontcare. Why is re-wearing and not caring important to you and why should peo ple follow suit?
Maggie - To continue their, I do think wearing and re-styling pieces is so fromwhereinfluencerespeciallyimportant,intoday’seconomy,peoplegetsentandgiftedalotofclothes.Ithinkpush-ingbackonthatnar-rativeandthatnarra-tiveofyoumustneedthenewesttrendiesthippestthing,isben-eficialforall.Idothinkthat’swhererealfashionandstylecomesfrom,thatIguesscreativestyl-ingthatwecansaywewerefromrewearingclothes.
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M- What is your favourite thrifted item & why?
Jenna - I have a long back coat that used to belong to a Delta Airlines staff member (I think) it has a tag that says it is made exclusively for Delta by Uniform solutions. The lining is slightly padded and can zip out. I scored it for only $20 and it’s been my most worn item this winter so far.
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M - Do you remember the first item of clothing you ever thrifted & if so, what was Jennait? - This is a hard one. I don’t remember the first ever item I thrifted. But I can re member going to the Op shops in Launces ton (where I grew up) and buying all sorts of things.
Jenna Flood is a slow fashion stylist from Melbourne, Victoria. Jenna holds sustain able wardrobe workshops where she teaches people how to incorporate sustainability into their wardrobes, as well as teaching individuals how to shop sustainably in order to save money on clothing as well as reduce their environmental footprint.
M - Why do you think that it is crucial that we shop second hand & how has shopping second hand shaped your perspectivefashion?on Jenna - I just feel that we have too many textiles in the world as it is! We should be putting these to use and saving as many as we can for re-wear or upcycling them into something new. I also love the thrill of finding something exciting. 7.
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Mia - It’s really sustainable and it’s a lot better for the environment, because it’s recycling clothing, rather than sending an item of clothing to landfill. You can give clothing to someone else for a second life and you often find a lot more unique pieces when op shopping rather than buying fast fashion like from Cotton on or Glasson’s . When you buy something from an op shop or from a vintage shop you often find much more unique pieces of clothing that suits your style a lot more.
Mia Dunstone is an eighteen year old living in Preston Melbourne and is currently in year 12. As an environ mental activist, Mia is an active member of the school strike 4 climate protest and serves as a captain of the environmental club at her high school. The fact that Mia is my cousin means I get to learn all the best plac es to shop second-hand in Melbourne, as she is very passionate about slow fashion.
Mia – My name is Mia Dunstone I live in Preston Mel bourne, I go to Santa Maria College, I am in year 12 & my favourite subject is Media.
Mia - The colour is what draws me in first, usually I’m looking for a specific colour, pattern or whatever, and then I see it and then I look at it. Then what next draws me to it next is like the shape or the fit of the piece. For example, in a T-shirt or long sleeve top, I’m looking for a certain fit, or in a dress I’m looking for to be shorter or longer depending on the vibe of the item. That is what usually draw me too a piece
M – Where are you favourite thrifting stomping Miagrounds?-Ido
M: What is your favourite thrifted item & can you please describe it to me?
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M - Can you start by telling us about yourself?
M- Lovely, when thrifting what draws you to an item?
like Helping Hands Mission op shop in Preston, it looks a bit dodgy from the outside, like a big warehouse, but inside there are some real gems. I also really do like Savers, there is a new Savers in Preston that I found a few good items from. Another second-hand store that I really like is an online store, Revival Republic and that is vintage second-hand items of clothing based in Melbourne.
Mia - I got this from Revival Republic which was that online vintage store and it’s a vintage 90s swade shift dress. It’s got a really cool vintage tag as well and it’s like I think it’s swade or velvet. It is a really nice, beautiful brown colour and it fits me really well and I just I love the detailing on the front as well it’s a nice little, short minidress.
M-Vintage stores or thrifting which, one does you prefer and why?
Mia - I probably prefer vintage stores because you can find some real gems in there even though it’s usually a lot more expensive than op shopping, is a lot more fun to look through the items of clothing, because you can find some like really weird and wonderful things at vintage stores
M - Why is it important to you that you shop second hand and that more people shop second hand?
M - Do you thrift more online or in store Somerset - Honestly, I thrifted both. I love a good in store thrift, but because I live so far out of town It’s going to be kind of planned situation, whereas with online It’s constant browsing. But I will say if I am saving, or on a bit of a budget, I will go in store because online thrifting is so much more expensive than in store thrifting. Online thrifting is usually only for big like purchase that you’re not going to find it anywhere and is amazing & unique. Where instore thrifting is for your everyday kind of finds.
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Somerset - Honestly, I think the future thrifting will be a bright one. Thrifting is hugely on trend, which is super positive for landfill and the environment in general, because it’s adding clothing into a cy cle which I think is amazing, especially for things that can’t be broken down in our environment. So, whilst we humans and manufacturers are working on ways to find new materials to make biodegrad able clothing, this is a great way to keep clothing from landfill and make it into something cool and trendy. I think it will continue and it will be a big phenomenon. It will be the way that probably, you know half, or three quarters of the population will buy their clothing, which is amazing and reduces stress on the environment.
Somerset - OK, I would say, the first time I ever went thrifting, like not properly thrifting just second-hand shopping, was at like this tip shop that had things that were too nice to be thrown away. They put into like an Op Shop on the side and I would go there all the time and get like cheap toys as the ladies in there like will just give them away because no one ever wanted them. So, I gotta bunch of free stuff toys that had pre warn stories. I feel like that’s why I got hooked because everything is cheap and quirky and unique and cool. But there’s also a story and it is giving the item a new life, which is also environmentally friendly. So, I wouldn't say like that’s the reason I’m hooked cause it's better and It's positive in every way.
M - What is your most worn thrifted item? Somerset - My most worn item is probably a brown suede blazer. I got it for like Literally $13 or something and it is my size. It's tailored to my body and it's in sane and I wear that the most. It is my favourite thing ever, you can pair it with anything, it can be dressed up, or down it can be street wear, it’s party wear, it’s the drama !
M - When was the first time you went thrifting & how did you become hooked?
Somerset Arnold is an aspiring actor and artist living in Anglesea, Victoria. Besides being passionate about the environment, Somerset is also passionate about slow fashion. Whenever I am looking for a new sus tainable fashion brand, Somerset is the gal to contact, as she has always found some awesome new brands we both love.
M - What do you think the future of thrifting will look like in 20 years’ time?
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Matilda - The Inverleigh Op Shop and there’s a huge Op Shop in Melbourne near my cousin’s Mhouse.-What do you like about those op shops? That there’s a variety of things every time, and that there is new things and a lot to choose from.
Paige - Look through everything, every section even the kids, because you never know they might get something wrong. Also look in the music there are always good CDs. Not so many Vinyls
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Paige Dunstone (also my cousin) has one of the coolest grunge styles I’ve ever seen. Paige and Mia have shown me some awesome thrifting locations in Melbourne where I have found some awesome finds. Paige’s is a lover of rock music and the 90’s, which has really shape her thrifting style, meaning that any outfit she wears is never dull.
Much like me, Matilda (my sister) is highly in fluenced by our mother to love thrifting. My mother has taught us to love thrifting as Matilda accompany’s me on most of my thrifting adven tures. Matilda loves to thrift all sorts of things and trinkets and recently she has developed a passion for 90’s rock CD’s of her favorite bands. She also enjoys searching for vintage graphic t-shirts.
M - Can you give us a rundown where some of your favourite spots are to buy second-hand items?
Matilda - My favourite thrift find is a shirt with a skeleton with bat wings on it, which is holding a dagger on the front. I like it because it’s comfortable and it matches a lot of what I wear.
M - Do you have any tips and tricks to score the per fect thrifted item?
M - What is your most worn thrifted / vintage second hand item & can you describe it for me.
M - Where is your go to op shop?
M - What is your favourite thrift find?
Paige - Helping Hands Oakover Road! Best op shop in town. I don’t really thrift anywhere else M – Why do you like that Op Shop?
Paige - It a wonderful cardigan! It is a navy, not sure what fabric, pure wool Lacoste cardigan. It’s also versatile, warm & has lots of holes in it
M - What draws you to an item when Matildathrifting?-Ifithas anything to do with my interests or matches the clothes that I wear. Or if it’s CD of any music that I listen to.
Paige – Its big, not many people go there, it’s cheap M - What do you like about thrifting? Paige – Its environmentally friendly if you do it right & you restrain yourself to not buy a million cardigans. There’s lots of cool clothes and getting to relieve them giving them a second life that’s the word. You never know someone’s dead grandma might have had some really cool hip style. .12.
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My favourite place to thrift whenever I make a trip across the bay is the, Rye Opportunity Shop. On my last trip to this Op Shop, I had a lovely chat with two volunteers Dave and Pam. One my trip I also was lucky to pick up an awesome vintage Rip Curl woollen jumper that I will love forever. When I first walked in to take my photos for this ZINE, I was greeted by Pam who agreed to let me take photos in the store. While taking photos Dave yelled out from behind the count er ‘Hey! No photos! ‘. I was scared shitless as I had only a few moments ago gotten permission from Pam.
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Although instead of using the carbon credits for the store, they wanted to donate these credits to local hospitals and schools. I was amazed at how passionate they were for this project and was so thrilled that I was featuring the shop in my ZINE and encouraging my efforts as in their words ‘We need you, young people, to help change! ‘. If you are ever in Rye, please drop into this beautiful Op Shop and say hello to DavePam.and ST
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It was probably the St Pauls Surprise Shop where I was introduced to thrifting as a child. The Inverleigh Op Shop is in a small rural town that’s not well known, so I’m always able to score a good deal. The Op Shop is a favourite of mine, and I almost always leave with something every time I go there. There is a beautiful interior to this old church that has been converted into an Op Shop. In this Op shop, you’ll find clothing, BRIC BRAC, and designer brands hidden amongracks.the Despite the extensive women’s clothing section, I have found my best finds in the men’s section. I found this absolutly wonderful stripped woollen jumper which I wear every day, and it has quite a beautiful story. There was this older woman who was browsing through the collection of clothing items that has just been put out on the racks and had walked away. Later when I was looking through the rack, I found the striped jump er that I loved and adored. The woman comes back around and says, ‘I was going to grab that jumper ‘. I then panic and say, ‘Oh, you can have it then! ‘The lady stops and says ‘No, it will look prettier on you.’ I was absolute flattered and honoured as it is one of my favourite jumpers.
Pam and Dave were telling me that this store alone recycles 65 metric tonnes of fabric, clothing, and steel each year. They have a passion for recycling and helping their community, and they are currently in talks with their local council to receive carbon credits for the recycling done by the Op Shop.
Lucky he was joking and proceeded to help me with some tips and tricks that he used back in the day when he used to take photos for Uni in Melbourne.
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based in the centre of Melbourne’s CBD is the perfect location for me to find something very specific for any kind of look that I am going for. Retro Star is the perfect col lection of the 70’s, 60’s, 80’s and 90’s fashion. From their wicked selection of vintage denim or funky vintage jumpers, all at a reasonable price point as well. My advice if you are looking to go, is to have a plan of what specifically you are looking for, whether it is a funky vintage cord jacket or a pair of acid wash overalls. I find that every time I go in, I am wanting to buy everything that is in the store!
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Every time I step into this shop, I spend hours upon hours looking through the beautifully cu rated selection of vintage items that all have their sense of personality and uniqueness. One of my beloved items that I have thrifted from Retro Star, is my Almost Famous Penny Lane Corduroy 70s jacket.
I love this jacket to my core as every time I wear it, it makes me feel like a 70’s rockstar. It’s the perfect jacket for when it is cold outside, and I need something to make my outfit a bit more stylish and vintage. The employees are also so lovely and have an impeccable sense of style that I strive I have but will never
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This is a vintage shopper’s dream, located in Preston it is a full warehouse of vintage everything. This place is what I hope my future house will look like. The cool furniture is something that is my favourite thing about this place and could spend hours looking at it.
The store is laid out in almost little booths with different items, or styles of clothing that you are looking for. One of my favoured booths within the stores was one that was styled to look like a funky 60’s living room, with bright floral wallpaper, as well as bright orange chairs that blended so well with the wallpaper. The counter where you pay is also an awesome old car, with a shiny moon that hangs above the ceiling. Make sure to save up those monies and block out a few hours for browsing as their pieces are usually set at a high price point.
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Every vintage piece that you could ever imag ine is located somewhere within the store. Whether you are looking for a beautiful tur quoise leather jacket or a vintage playboy mag azine, they will have the vintage item for you.
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Helping hands Op Shop located in Preston is real ly an amazing place to thrift and at a great price as well. One of my favourite things about this loca tion is the dedicated vintage section, which fea tures an awesome range of vintage pieces from all eras, and all have a different personality to them.
This@otcvintageisoneof the coolest vintage shops that I have been to. Literally located underneath the streets of Melbourne CBD, this is one of my favourite shops to go and look at the stunning vintage pieces. The walls are decorated with hundreds of cool vintage posters plastered all over the walls. This store is so well organised, and it makes me so happy to see such an awesome collection of vintage pieces. When even walking down the grand stairs into the store you already feel the amazing vibe of a beautiful mural of 70’s & 60’s icons. On my last visit, I loved browsing through their amazing sec tion of denim, and the variety they had. They also have an awesome selection of vintage name brand jumpers that are at a higher price point but they are some of the coolest jumpers that I have seen.
One of my favourite pieces I have from this location was a vintage embroidered planet Hol lywood jacket that is spectacular. What made it even better was that I bought it on a day that was everything half off! so instead of paying 8 dollars, I ended up paying 4, which is crazy when the reselling price of this jacket is over 200 dollars. This op shop has a wide variety of items so one of my favourite things is going 20.thingsonelookingoneverythingthroughthatistheracktofindwhateverImaybeforonthatcertainday.Thisisofmyfavouriteaboutthrift-ing,whenthereisalargeselectionofclothing,it’sallinthegameofthrift-ingtofindanawe-somepiece.
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This ZINE could not have been put together without the help of awesome people around me. Thank you to Maggie, Jenna, Mia, Somerset, Matilda, and Paige for letting me interview you for this piece. A big thank you to St Paul’s Surprise Shop, Helping Hands, Retropolis, OTC Vintage, Retrostar and the Rye Opportunity store for giving me permission to not only take images in store, but also feature these amazing stores in my ZINE. A huge thank you to my Mum for being the editor of my ZINE, having to deal with my horrible grammar, and taking me around to all the locations to shoot. And a shout out to Ms Knite my media teacher, who is a living legend ! 23.
CREDTS / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY CREDITS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY This ZINE was written, photographed, and created on the lands of the Boonwurrung, Woiworung, Gulidjan and Wathaurong people. I pay respect to elders past, present, and emerging and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, Always will be, Aboriginal land 24.