Thrifty shoppers known there’s no better feeling than securing a bargain from your favourite Op Shop. Full of pre-loved goodies, Op Shops are goldmines for clothes, furniture and other treasures. As well as the fantastic finds, buying secondhand is a great way to help the environment.
The Ugly Truth About Fast Fashion
The fashion industry ranks second among the World’s major polluters. The impact fashion has on our environment is immense, with the pressure to supply the high demand – cheaply, and quickly. With harmful materials, such as Polyester, which comes from Fossil Fuels, and directly contributes directly to global warming.
Fashion produces over 20% of all wastewater worldwide and generates approximately 10% of all carbon emissions, more than shipping and international aviation combined. It takes about 2,700 litres to produce one cotton shirt. Most clothes are made with very poor working conditions, where workers are severely underpaid and overworked. In Australia, every year around 501 million kilograms of discarded clothes, sometimes even unworn, goes to landfill. So, what can you do?
Take Care of the Clothes You Have
Don’t throw away your clothes after one use or without thought, treat them with love and care. Re-wearing what you currently own is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint.
Do Your Research
Know what you’re buying, Good On You is a free service where you can search fashion brands and see how they rate on the sustainable and ethical scale.
Don’t Follow Trends
Trend pieces are usually just that, meant to be worn for a short period of time. Following trends is a fast fashion motivate to make people buy more clothes. If you do find you’re absolutely in love with a ‘trend piece’, make sure you wear it and cherish it for the long term. Who says it isn’t fashionable?
Buy Secondhand
It isn’t as easy as saying as never buy any new clothes again, but if you’re after a new piece, largely consider using services like Depop or Facebook Marketplace to buy clothes from. Another alternative is op shops, buying preloved/secondhand fashion is a great way to participate in the slow fashion movement.
Exploring Op Shops in Mount Gravatt
Did you know Aussies are the second most highest consumers of textiles in the world? It’s time to do your part, and consider shopping for a new wardrobe in a more sustainable way. In our Mount Gravatt Central, we have four op shops for you to explore. Vinnies, Salvos, This and That and Children Rights Movement are all on Logan Road, meaning you can op shop hop easily. 
Vinnies and Salvos are the largest of the four, with a huge range of pre-loved fashion, you can even find designer brands! Make sure you check out their sale selection, where you can snag a cute thread for less than $5. This and That Thrift Store is a haven for little treasures. Full of hidden gems, there’s a great selection of jewellery, clothes and homewares. Children’s Rights Australia sits on the corner, and has plenty of clothing looking for a new home.
Tips For Op Shopping
If you’re a newbie to secondhand stores, or just feel like you never get a good find, we get it. Here’s how to find your newest addition to your wardrobe, or just a cute new thread.
Go Through Every Section
Go big or go home, it’s time to really start digging. Going through all sections is a great way to find those little hidden gems. For example, sometimes the ‘Mens’ section has some great quality T-shirts, or the ‘sleep wear’ section may have a cute singlet perfect for layering.
Back to Basics
Our Op Shops at Mount Gravatt Central are super tidy and organised, making the op shopping experience even easier. Usually in sizing and colour, you can go straight your favourite colour and find your next outfit. Black and white clothing is a must-have in most wardrobes, due to their ability to match anything. Then, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can add pops of colour, or bolder prints.
Try Before you Buy
Unlike most stores, sizing in op shops becomes basically meaningless. If you’re unsure or not if your new find will fit, don’t stress – just see how it looks! Even if you’re sure it’ll fit you, it’s best to try on so you know that you love it, and will become a long-term loved item in your wardrobe.
Be Open-minded
Even if you have a set goal of an item you’re after, try to go in with an open mind. The beauty of buying secondhand is that you never know what will be waiting for you, and sometimes that also means disappointment. If you’re after a cool, new cocktail dress but can’t find ‘the one’, try looking at the shoes – maybe they’ll inspire you to wear with a dress you have at home? It’s important to still appreciate the clothes you have.
Our clothes are filled with our stories, our experiences, and our feelings. The lifespan of our clothes can be extended to their full potential. You can save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and still find the new item you are looking for by purchasing or selling pre-owned clothing – It’s a worthwhile habit to develop. Would you like to contribute to a positive cause while being more environmentally friendly? – support the community with every purchase made at thrift stores, profits go to help the community (not all). There are a ton of cool vintage items available without burning a hole in your pocket!
Sources: Good On You, Salvos Australia