Just a bunch of our favourite things we've bought secondhand.

Recently, I have developed a deep obsession with vintage and secondhand shopping. This is partly because it just feels that much more special to come across a remarkable once-in-a-lifetime piece and partly because it's a lot cheaper than buying in stores. But mostly I've started to move towards secondhand shopping because I've become seriously disturbed by the enormous waste of energy and resources propping up our immovable need to buy lots of shit we do not need. 

If you want to keep buying useless shit, I've figured, you can do it with items that have already been made. 

In fact, my favourite secondhand store in King's Cross in Sydney now recognises that I am so keen on secondhand shopping, and such a pushover, they have started sending photos of items to me over Instagram that I obviously fall in love with and am forced to buy. 

This is, to be fair, another benefit of choosing secondhand stores – they can offer you a sense of curation and personalisation that, frankly, none of the 900 17-year-olds employed at your average H&M could even begin to match.

Secondhand shopping is fun, cheap, better for the environment, and can land you pieces that you will treasure far, far more than the $50 top you bought at Zara. 

Here are some of my favourites I've ever picked up, starting with my collection of quite loud shirts. 

Image: Supplied. 

Image: Supplied. 

Image: Supplied 

Oh yes, and the leather pencil skirt was bought secondhand, too. 

But my pride and joy of secondhand shopping is actually this beautiful, butter-soft leather jacket that I picked up at a vintage store in Berlin. I saw another woman pick it up briefly to inspect, and once she had placed it back on the rack, I swooped in there with all the voracity and grace of a starving seagull. 

I bought her for 30 Euros and I just love her. 

To give you even more inspiration, here are some of the Mamamia team's favourite pieces. 

Jacket from Storeroom Vintage.  

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"I bought this jacket from Storeroom Vintage. I actually have people stop me in the street to tell me how cool it looks! But I love wearing it, I have got so much use out of it, and it's my favourite item of clothing ever. I even feel kinda tough when I wear it (not that I actually am lol)." – Bella Garrido, Social Media Producer.

Dress from Mutual Muse. 

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"I buy so much secondhand stuff! There’s the best consignment store in Melbourne called Mutual Muse. Incredible stuff. I bought this dress the other day from there and got really excited when I saw it hanging in Claudia Kishi’s wardrobe in the Babysitter’s Club remake." – Pip Lamb, Sales Manager VIC.

Oversized blazers. 

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"I thrift all my blazers, this is one of many. Oversized is in and so I often score some amazing men’s blazers that retail for ten times what I pay. Highly recommend!" – Isabelle Dolphin, Editorial Driver.  

One-of-a-kind handbags.

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"For context, I am a massive bag person. Doesn’t need to be designer or fancy, it just needs to be interesting. These three bags are ones I’ve bought at op shops and use all the time and love.

The brown one I got for $8 (an absolute bargain), the vintage pink one I got for $30, which is a bit exxy but worth it considering the detailing and what bags like it usually retail for. 

Lastly we have my all-time favourite – a hexagon shaped bag. I have zero clue what the G stands for on it and I frankly don’t care, all I know is that I love how unusual it is. This one I got for $15. Another bargain if you ask me." – Isabella Ross, News Writer.

In fact, Isabella is a bit of a queen when it comes to secondhand shopping. Here are some more of her pieces.

Amber Sceats earrings from Lifeline.

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"While at my local Lifeline store, I saw these Amber Sceats earrings on sale and I screamed inside with joy. I love gold, I love pearls and these retail for over $200. I got them for $35. Worth every bloody penny." – Isabella Ross, News Writer.

Bally poster.

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"An op shop find I adore is my Bally poster. I saw it blue-tacked in one of the op shop change rooms, and asked if they’d be willing to sell and they did for $8!!! Ones like this and of this size go for well over $100. I framed it myself and overall it cost me under $25 to hang." – Isabella Ross, News Writer.

Camper boots.

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"I was at my local op shop the other week and found these boots for sale. I’m not usually one to buy secondhand shoes, but I fell in love with them. Perfect for winter, and they’re in great condition. I paid $50 for them, and they’re the brand Camper (their boots usually retail for over $300)." – Isabella Ross, News Writer.

Isabella even takes her secondhand shopping seriously enough to upcycle pieces – and she's really good at it. 

Small lounge seat.

Image: Before. Supplied.

"I found this small lounge seat at a secondhand store and fell in love with it. It had a stain on it, so it was a cheaper price. I then dyed the fabric (using some good ol’ YouTube tutorials) and it turned out just how I wanted. So happy with this upcycled op shop find." – Isabella Ross, News Writer. 

Image: After! Supplied. 

Image: Canva. 

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