op shop
It's such an Australian expression. In the US or Canada it's a Thrift Store or in the UK a Charity Shop.
Whatever you call them I've been skulking around them since I was, well, ever. We had one in my hometown where I used to go and buy mens jackets and waistcoats and petticoats in my Pretty in Pink 80s days. I remember my mum taking a photo of me once as I left for a friend's house saying 'you won't believe you wore that out'. There was an odd old hat and a very long skirt involved from memory.
When I was a teenager I got a bit more cautious of buying up stock in the one op shop in our small country town (people inevitably recognized bits and pieces) so started shopping in North Sydney when I went to visit my Nan and Pop. Mecca.
Today I grab any old chance in any old store anytime I'm not accompanied by a toddler.
I recently discovered the Salvos Stores which is where I found the green wrap dress. I have one nearby which is fabulous.
But then. I found it. Last week. The best op shop in the world. Why? Because you pay by the kilo. Can you believe it? They give you a garbage bag, you weigh it at the end, and you pay $6 per kilogram. And if, like me, you tend to buy lightweight kinda cottony stuff? Everything works out at about 50 cents. It's actually hard not to go a little crazy.
Here is a small selection of my visit:
A long dress, a few lovely blouses, a couple of fabulous frocks for Tilly…
I love this one, it sits perfectly over the baby bump. Who doesn't feel better wearing cherries?
A wonderful long woven cotton scarf. Perfect for autumn (nearly there!). In purple. How I love purple. One day I intend to be a crazy old lady who has a chook standing on her kitchen table and who only wears purple.
xxx
twitter.com/Hearmumroar
February 10, 2010 at 9:30 pmOh, I love it, especially the cherries! Good haul. I’ve heard of shops that do this sort of thing, I wish I’d known about that one whilst I was still in Sydney!
corgette
February 11, 2010 at 11:57 amfor some strange reason i have never shopped there but i am always dropping stuff off there.
the Vinnies in your area is good too-i always find things i never knew i needed there.
innerpickle
February 11, 2010 at 5:29 pmEek! tell me the fabulous cherry blouse didn’t used to be yours!!
Melissa Linardon
February 11, 2010 at 7:04 pmOh i remember the Op shop days in Gerringong and the fabulous outfits. I was quite fond of a lovely brown cardigan we found at an opshop in Port Maquarie when you came on holidays with me i think that was in year 10??
mammajoy
February 11, 2010 at 10:28 pmBaby bump? Congratulations! Great op shop finds. We suffer from small-town-syndrome here so I’m too chicken to buy from our local vinnies.