We've said it before, but heaven truly is rifling through an op shop. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits that come with buying something not new, there's joy in owning something truly unique - and in the glorious smugness that comes with being able to say, "Oh thanks, its vintage!"
In pursuit of this euphoria, we asked nine fellow op shop obsessives to share their personal favourite secondhand finds as well as the story of how they found them.
If you're yet to have in your possession an item that lays claim to the title of your 'personal best ever secondhand find', perhaps it'll be waiting for you at The Auckland Clothes Swap, run by Karangahape Road vintage and design store Crushes and to be held on the rooftop of the Mercury Lane Wilson car park on Saturday October 15. Bring up to 10 pieces of clothing to pass on for someone else to enjoy and leave with up to 10 new but old pieces. Find out more and sign up to take part here.
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"Growing up, my sister was my style inspiration. She was the first person who made buying secondhand seem cool and even took me on my first trip to SaveMart. So whether it was showing me what was cool, trawling the racks together or quite literally shoving me in the clothes, I have always trusted that my sister has the best in mind for me. And even though our styles may differ now, we can both appreciate a good thrifted outfit.
The fit shown below is a completely thrifted look representing my time spent here in Auckland, while incorporating pieces found during my teenagehood in Rotorua. The star of the show is the wool coat which belonged to my great grandmother. I’ve paired her with an orange turtleneck gifted by my mother-in-law and tweed pants found while bargain hunting in New Lynn.
My sister, on my right, is wearing a purple crop top and green trou found in Rotorua. Layering it all under a kōti/coat she’s made herself. My partner, on my left, is also wearing vintage with an OG Mr Foursquare tee." - Mairātea Mohi, writer
"I bought an oversized black button-up shirt from Paper Bag Princess for $10. I was immediately drawn to it’s cut and how it seemed casual yet considered. It quickly became my work uniform - it has pockets, hangs off the body and doesn’t have a bright colour or print (which I find distracting to wear while making). It feels like my version of a couturier’s white work coat. That’s what makes this label-less gem my favourite secondhand find that I still wear religiously! - Natasha Oveley, founder of Starving Artists Fund
"I’m a diehard vintage/secondhand fan and have many favourite purchases from over the years but here I’m sharing the two I wear the most. The first is this Pierre Cardin suit jacket that I got from Search and Destroy in Ponsonby - it’s pretty oversized, which I’m into. It’s the perfect charcoal colour and I love the subtle pinstripe. I often have people asking me where it’s from. And my white Dickies that I got for $40 from Recycle Boutique Wellington.
I always look in the 'mens' section – that’s often where the best jackets or coats are, plus great knitwear and pants." - Rosie Herdman, editor of Broadsheet NZ
"Louboutins! REAL!! From a secondhand store in Hawke's Bay (won't tell you which one as that is a guarded secret). They were cheaper than a glass of wine.
After I bought them I had to go home and have a lie down as I was so excited! Refused to take them off for days. Made my partner carry me to dinner so I didn't scuff them... wore them to bed... I was living my best Louboutin dream. I hardly ever wear them outside, but the soles are in need of a repaint.
Last time I was in Christchurch, I picked up a Carolina Herrera dress with the tags still on (NZD$4200) for $23 at Paper Bag Princess. One of my favourite shops. Always find amazing things there. - Zoë George, Stuff senior sports journalist
"My favourite secondhand purchase is my black flocked embroidered Jean Paul Gaultier jacket. I actually saw it while I was doing makeup on a photoshoot - the stylist was borrowing it from [Wellington vintage store] Hunters and Collectors. Once the model had been photographed in it, I tried it on and immediately messaged Charlotte (from H&C) to say it would not be coming back to the store.
It's a perfect black jacket, I'll have it forever. It goes with everything, and the flocked paisley embroidery and silver dome buttons make it a little bit punk (I was actually in an all-girl punk band during this time, and bought some of my best black things in this era)." - Lara Daly, Ensemble publishing co-ordinator
"Most of my wardrobe is 2nd hand so it's very hard to choose a favourite, but I've gone for a hand-knitted willow pattern jumper. I bought it on Instagram a couple of winters ago from @thrivecurate, Christchurch City Mission's curated online store.
Amongst all my clothes, this one is special (and a lifetime keeper). I am a big hand-knit lover, all those hours and love someone put into making the garment, and the willow pattern was on the Crown Lynn dinner set that I grew up with. It's always going to have a special place in my heart." - Di Ludwig, founder of Instagram vintage store @welcomeback_slowfashion
"I found this chiffon gown at a secondhand store in Glen Eden, Auckland next to my neighbourhood cafe. The shop is long gone. In my memory the dress was $8, or maybe $38? Either way, a bargain for the amount of dress.
The label says Stacey Christie, which I think was an Australian designer. I thought the blend of yellow and browns made me, already a freckly person, look like a giant freckle. But it fit so I bought it. I ended up wearing it to the Voyager NZ Media Awards.The skirt is so light and swoopy. It felt extremely grand. One of my workmates, who I didn’t know then, has since told me she still remembers the dress. I took it to a clothes swap, but the ladies made me take it back home. So I still have it." - Frances Morton, editor of Sunday magazine
"My best find has to be this waistcoat and blazer set, from GoJo Recycled Store in Avondale - my absolute favourite vintage store in Auckland, hands down. I saw this set on a mannequin and immediately knew it was coming home with me.
The brand is Edinburgh, pure wool handmade in Scotland. It fits like a dream. I still have it, and wear it all the time - a staple of my autumn/winter wardrobe." - Kaarina Parker, model and writer.
"I’m a big vintage and second-hand fan (and wearer), but don’t really have the patience to trawl the racks like legit opshoppers. My strategy these days is far more targeted, and I have particular brands (“Luella”), styles (“Prada skirt”) and years (“Prada 1996”) saved as searches on sites like The Real Real, Vestiaire Collective, Trade Me and Ebay. I’ve bought some incredible things this way but that planned and slightly Type-A approach simply cannot replicate the feeling of discovering something you love at first sight while in a vintage shop.
The best of those moments for me was at Save Mart Onehunga, on a sparse rack at the very back of the overwhelming warehouse, where I found a green and purple houndstooth 1950s-esque midi-skirt and matching scarf by Nina Ricci. I’m still not convinced it’s real, but who cares? I loved it, and it was one of those excitable vintage shopping moments.
Then there are my best, most worn vintage finds that maybe weren’t the most exciting discovery in store, but have become key pieces in my forever wardrobe: a silk embroidered blouse from GoJo, a fake fur 60s style coat that I think I bought from Real Time or possibly Vixen in my early 20s, and various knit grandpa vests from various markets." - Zoe Walker Ahwa, Ensemble editor
