Beginners guide to Tasmania’s second-hand fashion scene
Preloved fashion is having a moment. Whether for environmental, financial or style reasons, more people are making the switch from fast fashion. If you’re new to the Tasmanian scene, here’s some tips to make buying second-hand second nature.
In Australia we throw away a horrifying 6,000kg of fashion waste every 10 minutes. It’s one of many reasons I shop predominantly second-hand for myself and my kids. In fact, as I sit here writing this article I realise my jeans are from the tip shop, my T-shirt and jumper are from op shops, my shoes are from an online second-hand marketplace and my silver earrings are from my local Vinnies. Even my chair and desk are second-hand (and so cute), and my kids went off to school in perfectly good hand-me-down school uniforms.
With so many simply useful or utterly fabulous items already in circulation, shopping second-hand is a fun way to lower your environmental impact, plus it significantly helps you manage your budget in the cost-of-living crisis.
Go big
If you’re used to shopping at department stores, you might feel most comfortable trying a big op shop first. They’re most likely to look like a regular shop and are usually well organised, clean, spacious and with large changerooms. If you’re looking for particular items, they’ll be easier to find in the ordered racks. These can be especially great for kids' basics, and don’t miss the reduced racks. Try the big Salvation Army shop on New Town Road in Hobart, the Hobart City Mission’s Moonah Mega Store or Vinnies Boland St .
Go small
To try second-hand on a smaller budget, an independent op shop in a small town will be your cheapest option. They are generally run by volunteers and can be a real treasure trove of overflowing racks and classic country vibes.
Church, school and community shops are dotted across the state. Some of the best are the Anglican Op Shop at Triabunna, Geeveston’s Haven Valley Projects Opportunity Shop and Strahan’s Opportunity Shop (with regular fill-a-bag for $5 days and books for 20c).
Go boujee
Boutique-style op shops and vintage stores may cost a bit more, but in return you’ll find clean, organised stores with quality items – some so new the tags are still attached. Staff tend to know the stock well and may be able to guide you towards what you need.
At Mission on George in Launceston, Ann Wilson is the perfect op shop manager: she’s super passionate about sustainability and recycled fashion. In fact, she was the amateur overall winner of the first ReDress competition, where entrants had to upcycle runway outfits from garments bought at op shops.
“I have a whole second-hand wardrobe,” she laughs. “I'm very much into sustainability; you can be so creative in your style and in your dress.”
She’s seeing a clear increase in the number of customers choosing second-hand fashion.
“A lot more customers are really appreciating vintage, and the quality of the way things were made and constructed.”
Other options include Bruce and Goodbyes in Hobart, which are particularly good for on-trend brands, and The Finders in Hobart and Tassie Twos Vintage in Launceston for clean and cool vintage.
Credit: timnewman
An abundance of oppies
It’s a thrifter’s delight to find a suburb or town with multiple oppies within walking distance of one another. Search ‘op shops’ or ‘charity shops’ in Google Maps to see what’s in your area.
Deloraine, Huonville, Wynyard, Kingston, Burnie and Glenorchy are all destinations with a variety of op shops. Glenorchy City Council recently released a Treasure Trail map to help shoppers navigate their locals.
Go to market
There are a few second-hand markets in Tasmania that are fun to browse. Re-loved and Preloved in Hobart are both excellent. Or cruise to Salamanca on a Saturday morning for Emma Hope Retro & Vintage, a regular stall whose namesake always looks fabulous in preloved.
Emma grew up surrounded by preloved fashion: her mum was one of the first vintage sellers in Tasmania, and an original stallholder when Salamanca first started more than 50 years ago. Emma took over the business 15 years ago and spends her days immersed in buying and selling second-hand.
“I just love everything about it,” she enthuses. “It's the treasure-hunt aspect, not knowing what you're going to find and coming across those rare gems. I've found designer pieces from Chanel to Gucci. Whether it's a lovely fur jacket or a beautiful hand-knitted mohair jumper, finding those unique pieces and knowing that they've already been loved and worn for 30, 40, 50, 60 years, and that they still have that sort of lifespan in them, so that they'll continue to be worn for the next 50-plus years.”
Dress for changeroom success
When going second-hand shopping, wear something that’s comfortable and very easy to change in and out of. If you’re looking for tops to wear with your jeans, wear your jeans so you can see if they go well. If you’re looking for shoes, do not wear shoes with laces that you will curse as you untie and tie them up for the millionth time.
Size doesn’t matter
Some op shops mix everything in together, while others sort items by size. Don’t get stuck in the size you think you should be, check the other racks too. Some of my favourite items are not technically ‘my size’, because we all know sizing, especially for women, is inconsistent anyway.
If you’re feeling self-conscious, a trip to The Dusty Mermaid in Copping might be just what you need for a confidence boost.
Owner Sarah Mead is as passionate about the environment as she is about helping people feel good about themselves in the right outfit.
“I'd say probably about 80 per cent of the customers are regulars and we talk a lot about body image. We talk a lot about body shame and sizing. I think part of the reason it's been so successful is because it's something that I talk about really openly on my social media pages, and because I'm not that pretty young thing, size eight – I'm an older, approachable woman who's a bigger size and who wears tutus and whatever.
“Inclusivity is a huge part of it as well. A lot of the trans kids come in, and they know they can write to me and ask if they could come in and have privacy and try things on. We have good connections all over the community.”
Credit: Igor Suka
Check the tag
Emma Hope’s top tip for sourcing second-hand is to check the fabric and brand tags.
“I always look at the label and see what something's made of. Natural fibres, anything silk, pure cotton, wool, cashmere, anything that's made of really good materials is obviously going to last a lot better than polyester and synthetic fibres,” she offers.
“Brand names – if it's a really good brand – but also handmade things are generally really good, because if you're going to go to the trouble of hand-making something, then you're not going to be using cheap materials.
“And then it's really about finding your own individual style and something that suits you. It might not be to everyone's tastes, but I think that's what makes it unique and fantastic!”
Emma recommends honing in on knitted jumpers and classic home-grown brands. She loves to find Tamar Valley knits, Bluey and Casaveen, from the old Oatlands wool store.
“If you find one of those, grab onto it! Because they're getting harder to find and they are just such a beautiful knit.”
Have fun
Finally, it should be fun! Consider taking a friend and stopping for cake halfway through. If you’re extroverted, chat with the friendly staff, but if you’re introverted and alone, a little smile and the headphones popped on will do the trick. Try something new, go somewhere different, and you never know what you might find.
Emma Hope’s favourite op shops
North Hobart:
Uniting Care, Elizabeth St – this oppie is the new kid on the block. In a newly fitted-out and sleek store, Uniting Care’s first Tassie op shop has a beautiful selection, often stocking designer brands and quality clothing. Well worth a look.
Vinnies Retro, Elizabeth St – this one specialises in retro, so lots of unique older garments to be had.
Ten Lives Cat Centre, Argyle St – offers the chance to shop with a side of cute kitties. Often the cats for adoption can be found roaming the cat run which travels the length of the store.
Lifeline, Argyle St – as well as a great range of clothes, the book selection here is substantial. Added bonus: it’s next to Little Missy Patisserie which has the best vanilla slices in town.
Launceston:
Boutique:
Mission on George and Red Cross on George St. These two fab op shops are just across the road from each other. Prices are a little higher but they have some of the better brands and quality items.
Big stores:
Vinnies Boland St is a huge store right near the city. Discontinued or end-of-season stock from high-end brands like AJE and Camilla and Marc can often be found here.
Salvos Invermay is another large store worth setting time aside to peruse. With great prices and a huge range this store is well set-out and categorised, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
The Mission Shop at Newnham has a large range of clothing with many bargains to be found. It also stocks furniture, bric-a-brac and collectables so there’s something for everyone.
Further afield:
Some of the best op shops are in small regional towns.
The Anglican Op Shop at Triabunna is a treasure trove of bargains. For a smaller store it packs in a lot and the staff are super helpful and friendly.
The main street of Wynyard boasts three op shops; my favourite is the largest, City Mission. I once got an Alexander McQueen top here so it holds a special place in my heart! As well as a wide range of clothing the shoe selection is top notch. It’s the place to go if you’re on the scenic north-west coast and you want some quality kicks.