Op-shopping: A rough guide

I found this link on Victoria's Youth Central a while back and forgot to post it here until now...

A question from a reader:

Hi There,

Love your Op Blog, and I love Op shops! I will be in Canberra for this weekend, and hoping you can give some advice on the best op shops where I'd find:

* Toddler clothes (age approx 2yrs girls)

* Toys - the kind that are good quality like Fischer Price (I dont mind how old)..

I'll be staying in Gunghalin, but don't mind travelling around Canberra (I am a committed op shopper!)

Thanks,
Kelly

Dressing for Sales

In my previous post i mentioned "putting on my op-shopping shoes" which lead to some readers asking me what i meant. Also with their being so many shows and newspaper columns on how to save money, i felt i should write a How to suck eggs piece. If you are going to a sale like the recent sale at Vinnies where you can expect to be fighting the hoards, then there are some things you need to bring, and wear, which will make things go easier for you.

Up-top: wear a few layers and make sure your bottom layer is a thin t-shirt or similar. This way if you want to try on a Shirt / Blouse or Top you do not have to queue for the change-rooms, but you can strip back to your T-shirt in the middle of the shop and try that top on.

Down below: It goes without saying that the change rooms at most sales are not very secure, and mostly are just a curtained off area, so you may be walked in on. Clean undies are a must.
Shoes: On a good day you may be going into the change rooms several times, so you want shoes that you can get on and off easily, so i recommend slip-ons or sandals, and nothing that requires a lacing up. Also if the floor in the change rooms is a little grotty, then you may want to consider a shoe and pants combination, where you can get the pants off, without removing your shoes. Also if you want something to go with a particular pair of heels, then bring them in a bag.

Extras: if you can hide a small bottle of water in your bag, then do so. Epically if you are planning on spending more than two hours shopping. Also if it is a big sale you may have to consider having your own bags so you can cart round your intending buyings. Some places will have shopping baskets, but i was caught out at the Vinnies sale as they did not provide shopping baskets.

If you have any other ideas as to what to wear when op-shopping then post them up here.

Jeans and the Op Shop

Cheap Thrills asked in the comments about the experience of buying trousers in op-shops.

"Trousers... I want to ask other bloggers whether they really ever have success in finding good, hip trousers or jeans in op-shops. I just don't think I can pull off baggies, acid wash or faux rips these days."

Good point. I've had my share of trews disasters, so thought let's open this topic up for discussion.

My general tips - take out everything in your size (or which looks about right). Triage for condition and for cut. Try on.

• Make sure the snap and zipper work - replacing either can be a bugger, particularly in jeans.
• For larger sizes in particular - look at the inside thigh seams for wear. It's the place of most friction and can make an otherwise great pair of trousers unwearable.
• Another place of stress - the fabric around the zipper.
• Also stretched out button holes. These can be fairly easily fixed with a few stitches to shorten the button hole, but it might not be worth it.
• Look at the condition of the hems. They can be worn out and down-right revolting. Not so bad if you intend taking the trousers up, but can (in my view) completely let down an outfit.
• Check for bottom sag and knee bag - once stretched out, they aren't going back in again.
• Unless they are new, cords don't often make the grade.