The simple trick I used to score $1000 worth of clothes for just $70

As I drove back to Bright with my loot in the boot, I felt like a whole new world had opened up to me. What an epiphany!

The savvy shopper has a simple rule that saves money. Image: Supplied

Pre-kids, I dressed with flair. I’d spend a large chunk of my disposable income on cute dresses, leather boots and eccentric hats, but with today’s cost-of-living pressures, priorities have shifted.

I had pretty much condemned myself to a life of wearing Kmart clothes (don’t get me wrong, you can find some real beauties in there) when a friend suggested I try op shopping.

I’ve never been overly keen on op shops. I associated them with stale smells reminiscent of old people’s homes and worn-out threads that had seen better days.

But I had nothing to lose, so I ventured into our local op shop in Bright, a small town in regional Victoria.

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My first bargain buy

My first shopping experience blew my mind. I picked up three pairs of shorts and a jumper for $6. Yes, you read that correctly. Six bucks!

These were brands that I would happily pay full price for – Witchery, Cotton On and Jay Jays.

And they were in PERFECT condition. I felt that old dopamine retail therapy buzz that had been dormant for a while kick in.

Next, I took a little drive to our closest city, Albury, and checked out an op shop there.

I ended up finding two gorgeous work blouses – a Marcs striped shirt and a Forever New electric blue lace blouse for a bargain $12.

Suddenly, I realised I was on to something. It was time to hit the big smoke. Melbourne was calling.

Down the Hume I travelled, fuelled by a sense of excitement about the riches I may discover. And discover I did.

RELATED: ‘My op shop lamp was covered in bloodstains’

The savvy shopper has a simple rule that saves money. Image: Supplied

Shop in the wealthier suburbs

The same friend who suggested I try op shopping gave me a tip. She said, “go to the op shops in the wealthier suburbs, and there you shall find a wealth of hidden treasures”.

I headed to the Salvos store on Glenferrie Rd, Malvern, nice and close to the upmarket inner-city suburb of Armadale, where the houses are flashy and the wardrobes are extravagant.

You know that scene in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the original) where Charlie and the other children go through the door to the chocolate room? They can’t believe their eyes as they behold all of that chocolate waiting for them, then Gene Wilder starts busting out ‘Pure Imagination’. That was how I felt! This was the stuff of pure imagination.

On every shelf there were beautiful garments and designer brands with affordable price tags. It was a fashionista’s goldmine.

Unfortunately, my three children were in tow and whining to get to a playcentre, but in the 30 precious minutes I had to shop, I found some treasures:

• A gorgeous Marimekko dress (valued at anywhere from $500+ new)
• A pair of Scanlan Theodore leather lace-up sandals (which you can expect to pay $400+ for new)
• A River Island handbag (you’d probably be looking at $70 for this new).
• A Zara fuchsia pink blouse (I’d say this would be about $80 new).

All of these gems cost me a very reasonable $70.

RELATED: Thrifty mum called ‘cheap’ for buying presents from op shops

A new way to shop - and save money

As I drove back to Bright with my loot in the boot, I felt like a whole new world had opened up to me. What an epiphany – why pay full price for something when you can get it for a fraction of the cost in near perfect condition?

For those who’ve never tried op shopping, here are some compelling reasons to give it a go:

• The ethics factor:  Buying pre-loved clothes at op shops means you are doing your bit to recycle, reduce and reuse perfectly good clothing. In today’s throw-away culture, damn does that feel good.
• The cost factor:  The cost of living nowadays is insane and most of us are feeling it in the hip pocket. Buying from an op shop means you can still treat yourself to some new threads or kicks or even a whole new wardrobe, without breaking the bank.
• The altruistic factor:  Most op shops are associated with a charity, and by shopping there, you’re supporting those in need. There are also for-profit thrift stores around, but shopping at these is still a good thing, as you’re ensuring reusable goods don’t end up in landfill.
• The variety factor: You do need a good dose of patience in an op shop, as it can be time-consuming finding those diamonds in the rough. But all that variety is also a positive – there are so many different options on offer from various eras, not just what’s trendy right now.

If you need a few new pieces for your wardrobe and you don’t want to max out your credit card, I dare you to try op shopping. You might be pleasantly surprised, just as I was.

Originally published as The simple trick I used to score $1000 worth of clothes for just $70