Top 10 Tips for Op Shop / Thrift Store Success
Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or someone who’s a little hesitant to walk into a second-hand shop; these top 10 tips will help you achieve thrifting success – every time.
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Rummage
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sometimes-chaotic nature of an op shop. These places aren’t like a department store, so expect everything from overflowing mountains of clothing to racks so full they might burst.
Perhaps this is the most fun part of thrifting, however, as the thrill of the hunt is amplified when you have to dig deep.
For me personally, some of my favourite things have been found at the bottom of large clothing bins or jam-packed racks. Therefore, when you first walk into an op shop, do an initial look around to see if anything on display catches your eye. Then, be prepared to look at what’s beyond the surface to truly hunt down a gem.
2. Look Out for Handmade Pottery
If you (like me) are obsessed with unique and handmade ceramics, then an op shop can be a treasure trove for them. I often make a beeline straight to the home decor or kitchen section and immediately start picking up anything that catches my eye.
There are a few tell-tale signs of a handmade pottery piece that you should look out for.
Firstly, they’re often organic in shape to signify that they’ve been made by hand or on a pottery wheel.
Secondly, they usually feature some sort of glaze or speckled finish that has been achieved by firing.
Lastly (and perhaps most importantly), a handmade piece will contain engraved initials on the item’s underside, or perhaps nothing at all. This is unlike mass-produced ceramic goods, which almost always have branding printed on the bottom.
3. Check Out the Craft Section
I used to overlook the craft materials section, however I’ve since found some beautiful materials that have come in handy for craft projects, like chunky wool or vintage floral fabric.
My most-prized find, however, was a brand-new loom – complete with tools and material for creating those beautiful woven wall hangings.
From one-of-a-kind buttons and antique doilies, to thread, appliques, and crafting tools; you just never know what you’ll stumble upon in this section!
4. Think About the Other Purposes an Item Could Have
It’s common to overlook an item because you don’t think you have a specific use for it. You might bypass the bowls, for example, because you don’t need any more for your kitchen cupboards. Yet, this is where some of the best op shop magic happens – that is, in finding an item but using it for something entirely different.
A beautifully patterned bowl could make for a great planter, while a tall canister could serve as the perfect vase. And as for those shell-shaped dishes that are often lying around, why not use it to hold your jewellery or act as a catch-all for your entryway stand?
Always think outside of the box when thrifting, and you’ll start seeing items in a whole new light.
5. Consider an Upcycle
Speaking of thinking outside of the box, don’t be afraid to look past an item’s aesthetics too. This particularly applies to home decor items and furniture, but even clothing can be altered to create the perfect look.
If you see a vase with a unique shape that you love, for example, but hate its colour or old-fashioned pattern, then still buy the vase. It’s nothing that a quick paint job can’t fix, plus you’ll be left with an item for your home that’s truly one of a kind. I’ve been doing this a lot lately, thanks to this ‘Trash to Terracotta’ inspiration from Geneva Vanderzeil.
In terms of clothing, you can turn a pair of jeans into denim shorts, a blouse into a cropped version, or even a maxi dress into one that falls above your knees instead. The sky’s the limit!
6. Don’t Overlook the Kids’ Section
On more than one occasion, I’ve found the perfect cropped jumper or jacket in the children’s section. One of my favourite clothing finds so far has been a shearling-lined denim jacket, which for some reason had been placed within the kids’ jackets. It pays to have a close look at everything within an op shop – even the sections you might think you have no reason to look in.
The kids’ section is also a wonderful area to look for cute baby clothing that has probably been worn once, not to mention teeny-tiny hand-knitted cardigans. My local op shop is constantly receiving these from a generous group of elderly women who spend their spare time knitting baby goods. This is a fairly common thing though, no matter where you live!
7. …Or the Men’s Section
After you’ve had a little look in the kids’ section, make a beeline over to the men’s section too. It might sound strange, but this area is great for finding oversized sweaters, cardigans, or jackets – if that’s your kind of thing.
There’s often plenty of button-up shirts featuring colourful or unique patterns too. You can instantly transform these by leaving a few buttons undone at the bottom of the shirt, then tying the ends of the shirt like so.
8. Try Before You Buy
There are clothes from literally hundreds of different brands in an op shop. We all know just how varied sizing is across clothing companies, so don’t be too fooled by the number on an item’s tag. Most (if not all) op shops will have change rooms, so be sure to try on any uncertain items of clothing before you make your way to the register.
The cheap price tag of clothing might be all the persuasion you need to pop something into your basket and go home with it. But unless you’re happy with how it fits, it’ll just end up straight back at the op shop again.
9. Judge a Book by What’s Under the Cover
The book section is another great area to peruse, especially if you’re a fan of the classics or are simply looking for your next great read.
If it’s home decor you’re after though, the book section will certainly deliver. Keep a lookout for any books that will look great styled on your coffee table or shelves.
If there’s nothing catching your eye, don’t worry. Instead, pay close attention to hardcover books featuring a cover jacket. Usually, there will be a plain-coloured hardcover underneath this jacket. See if you can group similar hardcover colours together to create a beautiful stack of books to add to your home styling.
10. The Basket Section is a Goldmine
Last but not least, don’t underestimate the basket section of an op shop. While some might be falling apart at the seams, others will serve as the perfect accompaniment to your home. Think statement plant holders, storage for toys, or something to house your coffee / tea station.
This list is by no means exhaustive (I could write about op shopping all day), but it’s a great collection of tips to keep in mind next time you set foot in a thrift store. Remember, there’s more than meets the eye to these second-hand shops, so the real secret lies in digging deep.
When you know your money spent is going towards so many great causes, it’s the perfect reason to switch online shopping or big department stores for your local charity shop – even just once in a while.
Have you discovered any great things at op shops recently? Feel free to tag @whimmagazine in your #opshopfinds on Instagram so we can take a look!