Thrift stores, op shops and charity shops (the US, Australian and UK terms respectively for basically the same type of store) are brilliant. They’re cheap, environmentally sound, help charities and are a lot of fun if you like a scavenger hunt. Op shopping, as we call it here in Australia, is also a great way to pick up things that noone else has…. and possibly some designer gear as well.

If you’re still wary of secondhand clothes, you might want to check out some of the cast-offs in wealthier neighbourhoods:

In affluent neighbourhoods across the land, charity shops are benefiting from celebrity boredom; the malaise afflicting the rich and stylish who spend a fortune on clothes and accessories they will only wear once or twice. There is only so much storage space — even in a six-bedroomed, four-storey Georgian townhouse or sprawling 16th- century manor — where you can keep all those Dolce & Gabbanas, Versaces, Manolos and Guccis. Some of it has to go — and generally it goes straight to the local [charity store], albeit generally dropped anonymously in the ubiquitous black bin-liner by a friend or the cleaning lady.

For more, see telegraph.co.uk.

Personally, I’ve seen bought some amazing designer label clothing in Australian op shops, from international labels like Jean-Paul Gaultier and Ferragamo, as well as local designers like Lisa Ho, Zimmerman, Third Millenium, Dinosaur Designs. Mostly, they’ve barely been worn; occasionally, the tags are still on!

So if you’re one of the few people who doesn’t love op shopping… well, I’d tell you that you’re missing out, but then you might beat me to some great bargains!

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