Every burlesque queen worth her Swarovski knows that an original one-off piece can make all the difference between dull and dazzling.
There was a time, not so long ago, when trawling racks of mothball-laced coats was not considered a pastime du jour. I distinctly remember my sister (now a fully-fledged devotee at the altar of thrift) turning up her nose at the second-hand petticoat I'd proudly fashioned into a strapless camisole. Oh yes, my darlings, it was a time when thrift shopping was the realm of uni students, struggling mothers, and perhaps the odd nostalgic soul.
Flash-forward. Nowadays, every girl I meet is wearing a little splash of sartorial second-hand. The word ‘vintage’ is bandied about with such gusto that it is a prefix to practically every outfit on any high street. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I think it’s a wonderful example of mindful neo-consumerism. It's enabled a wash of individuality and creativity to seep into our otherwise predictable everyday dressing. It's the perfect anecdote to a world of fast, throw-away fashion. And if you ask me, it's well overdue.
I’ve been an avid 'op-shopper' since my mid teens and, let me tell you, the increased popularity of thrifting means it’s becoming quite the challenge to score the perfect dress/bag/suspender belt. A visit to Vinnies requires an almost tactical approach. Weekend markets call for guerilla-like attacks on stalls. It's a war zone out there and I know I'm not alone in my quest for the best, so I've compiled some truly thrifty survival tips for all my fellow vintage vixens and hand-me-down divas:
· Love at first sight. Don’t buy just for the sake of it. A bargain isn’t necessarily a ‘find’ and it’s easy to get carried away with the thrill of $3 pricetags. Buy it only because you are besotted.
· Handle with care. Obvious, but make sure you read all tags and care instructions. Can you really be bothered regularly drycleaning an $8 top? Check for rips, tears and stains as not everything can be mended or washed back to health. A sad fact.
· Know what you want (but be open to different styles). If you're set on a certain style of shirt or coat, raid these sections first, but take a flexible approach to avoid disappointment. Thrifting is a hit-and-miss process and you won't always get exactly what you want.
· No limitations. A long skirt is endlessly chic when worn as a belted strapless dress (look for one with an elasticated waistband). Take an oversized men’s business shirt, roll up the sleeves and rock it out as a summer blazer. Or pull your arms and shoulders out of a buttoned-up men's shirt, tie the sleeves together above your bust line, and you've got one seriously cute summer frock.
· Scan and save. Before you start, stop. Scan the shop for anything that jumps out at you. Likewise, clothes always seem to be in the strangest places in thrift shops, so look on the floor, on bookshelves, in teapots... and check the changerooms as clothes always get left in there (if it was worth trying-on, it's a possible great find).
· Size it up. Too-big items can often be altered and taken-in on the cheap. Not so much with too-small items.
· I don’t like Mondays. Weekends are the busiest days, so the shops are often well and truly raided come Monday. Ask the kindly old love behind the counter on what days they receive their new stock. First in, first serve, baby.
· Cast the net. Urban thift stores tend to get raided fairly quickly. Try visiting the outer suburbs for more fully-stocked treasure troves or stopping in rural towns on your next road trips - you'll be amazed at what you find.
· Revamp. Stretch your imagination with fabric glue, appliqués, sequins, rope, feathers, vintage buttons and bits of broken jewelry on everything from shoes to headbands to stockings. Playtime!
· Be a stalker. It's a bit every-woman-for-herself in thrift shops. I always see items I love from across the room, but by the time I reach them, another shopper has snapped them up. Rather than accept defeat, keep your eyes peeled. Shoppers often change their mind and put items back. Score: you.
· Chop-chop. Tee shirts are seriously the most versatile piece when taken to with scissors. Notice how some cottons produce a nice rolled edge when you cut them up. Go forth and fringe and knot to your heart’s content!
· Mind your P’s and Q’s. Know the difference between ‘vintage’ and ‘thrifted’. Generally speaking, clothes produced from the 1920s to the 1970s are considered 'vintage' (sorry, 1980s). 'Vintage' items are usually of high-quality and not mass-produced or too trend-based. It's also worth noting that only clothes produced between 1960s and 1970s are considered 'retro'. The exception to the 'vintage' rule is couture, which is one of a kind and can be considered 'vintage' at any time. Why? Because 'true vintage' has an ongoing value that transcends the era of manufacture.
· If the shoe fits. Shoes are expensive, especially those that are going to be 'hot' for just a single season. So save your money and vamp-up a thrifted pair! Take a second-hand pair of ankle boots and cut sections out of the leather upper with a sharp knife. Add straps, beads and jewels and paint the soles or heels to create your very own 'statement' shoe.
· Bag lady. Likewise, you can embellish and revamp old leather bags. Try adding chunky coloured beads to handles or lengthening the straps for an instant update.
· Virtual Vintage (and some independent love):
eBay.com.au ,etsy.com , madeit.com.au , ishopindie.com , bowerbirdvintage.com.au (to name just a few!)
· Get out: Rethreads markets (carriageworks.com.au ), Frock Exchange (thefrockexchange.com.au ) Finderskeepers markets (thefinderskeepers.com )
· Stay in. Grab a bunch of friends together for a frock-swap or ex-boyfriend-gift swap. Important: in both cases, make sure your emotional attachment to the item has well and truly evaporated.
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