Op shopping tips: The lowdown on SHOES

Brand: Nine West
Condition: Brand new, no original tag
Cost: $8

I am an avid Op-shopper. I would even go as far to say that I prefer to go Op-shopping than purchase things from 'real' shops. The clothes, jewellery and shoes that I always, without a doubt, get the most compliments on are those that I've purchased from Op-shops because they look just like any other piece of clothing except that you haven't seen every other person and their Grandma wearing it.

Although I am a complete convert of the magical Op-shop, I know that not everyone else is. It took me a while to realise this though, for I could just not understand why someone might be unsure about them. Shoes are one of those items that can make people feel a little bit funny about buying second hand so this post is to put your concerns at ease and encourage you to explore!

Brand: Luichiny
Condition: New, with $120 price tag
Cost: $7.99

First and foremost is the obvious concern: scungy feet that may have worn the shoe before you. There are a couple of reasons that this no longer bothers me (although at one point I had the same view). First of all, I disinfect all the shoes that I buy from Op-shops, just as I wash all the clothes that I buy too. By wiping down all the surfaces on the shoe there is no chance I can get any gross germs.
Additionally, when you think about going into a shoe shop, seeing a gorgeous pair of heels and then trying them on...how many people have done that before you?! What if they had some gross infection? Someone doesn't need to be wearing the shoes for an extended period of time to donate some of their germs to you so you are probably at as much risk (even more) from those shoes you tried on last time you went shopping which had bacteria from hundreds of feet that gave them a try.

The type of people who donate their shoes, in my opinion, a probably going to be okay. If they make the effort to go and donate them as opposed to putting them in the bin, they are probably going to be quite considerate about which feet have been in them. Furthermore every single pair of shoes that I've ever purchased from Op-shops (some of them you can see in the photo above) have been either brand new or barely worn. I've bought some shoes with the original price tags still attached!

So once you've got those worries out the way, I do have a few little rules that I stick to to make sure that my Op-shopping experience regarding shoes is as pleasant as possible.

Brand: Airflex
Condition: Second hand, barely worn
Cost: $11

1. Say no to canvas
This isn't a super strict rule (and if the shoes have the original price tag attached and have never been worn then ignore it completely) but I find that the canvas shoes usually donated are a little dirty and worn which you just don't want, and they can't be cleaned with disinfectant as easily. Unlike a pair of gorgeous Steve Madden heels (yep, I've seen them in the Op-shop before), canvas shoes brand new are inexpensive and it makes more sense to buy them brand new.

2. Don't get shoes so worn they are moulded to the past feet!
Very rarely do I actually see shoes that have been worn all that much, but if you're looking for a pair and you see that they've actually worn in to change shape according to the past foot's imprint, then it's best to stay away from them. Not only does it make them uncomfortable because they aren't able to mould to your shape, it's just not good for your feet.

3. Only buy shoes that fit!
Because you see all these gorgeous, expensive brand shoes for basically no price at all, it can be tempting to purchase shoes that are just a little bit too small, or just one size up. Don't do it! It's not worth the trouble of wearing ill fitting shoes just because they're beautiful and cheap! The beauty about Op-shopping is that even though you might have to leave on pair of shoes behind, you will be sure to find a gem in your size somewhere around the corner.

Brand: New look
Condition: Brand new (no price tag)
Cost: $12

4. Make sure they are reasonably clean
This is probably an obvious one, but if they are caked in dirt or have clay stuck in their soles, don't bother with them. If they have a funny texture with a stain on them that you think you might be able to wash out, don't bother. There are so many good quality, well kept pairs of shoes out there to choose from that it's just not worth getting the grotty ones!

One more tip is that a reasonable price for a pair of heels, in my experience, is $8 to $12. Of course, it depends whether the shop is located in a more expensive suburb, city etc. but believe me, I am an experienced second hand shopped and all of the heels above I purchased within this price range, a pair brand new with the $120 price tag attached I bought for $7.95. Typically sandals are the cheapest (I bought a brand new pair of Haviana thongs for $2), followed by sneakers/canvas shoes, heels and then boots which can be up to $20. If the brand of shoe is more expensive then it could go up to $30

Brand: Target
Condition: Worn
Cost: $8

if they are really, really posh but anymore than that is crazy I think! For those of you Op-shoppers out there I would love to know how the prices are for you because these are all Adelaide prices and I know Adelaide in general is usually a bit cheaper than places like Sydney and Melbourne, let me know!

I hope this helped those of you out a little bit who were perhaps a little unsure about the whole ordeal. I love Op-shopping so much and all of my favourite pieces were sourced from an Op-shop, you should join the fun too!

Collective Haul - Books, Boots and Beauty

I've not blogged for a while, and in that time I've managed to accumulate a couple of things here and there which I thought I'd share with you all.

Beginning with the beauty stuff, I was so lucky to win Angel's giveaway which was for the Clearasil Vitamins and Extracts Daily Wash. She was so generous to also include a Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips and the Maybelline Illegal Lengths mascara.

A while ago when Chemist Warehouse had 50% off cosmetics I snapped up two Maybelline colour tattoos as I was dying to try them out after seeing all the hype. I really wanted the Bronze shade but they had run out so I ended up purchasing Barely Branded and Bold Gold, both of which I have enjoyed using.

I was also at Target and saw that they were selling the Party Girlz (ugh that brand name makes me so uncomfortable!) dry conditioners for $1 and dry shampoo for $2 and I simply couldn't resist!

For fashion I made three purchases in Target because they were having a 50% off sale. I really needed some Winter shoes and fell in love with two pairs of boots. The black boots were only $20, down from $40 and the tan coloured boots were $24 down from $50.

I also bought a summery T-shirt (even though it's going to be months and months before I can wear it) for $12. The photo isn't terribly good and does not do it justice but it is a flattering sheer floral collared shirt.

And then comes the books...my goodness have I gone crazy with books lately. I will say though, I only purchased one from a bookstore full priced and the rest were from second hand shops or libraries getting rid of old stock.

The second hand books
- The Piper's son by Melina Marchetta          Free
- The Kite runner by Khaled Hosseini           $3
- My sister's keeper by Jodi Picoult              $3
- Ursula by Eileen Naseby                           $3
- One foot wrong by Sofie Laguna                 $1
- Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut            $2
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman      $2
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen            $2
- Geisha by Liza Dalby                                 $2

The old library books
- A stolen life by Jaycee Dugard                                         $1
- What the birds see by Sonya Hartnett                              $1
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy                                     $0.50
- Room Temperature by Cath Kenneally                            $1
- Ursula Under by Ingrid Hill                                              $0.50

The bookstore book
- Running with scissors by Augusten Burroughs    $20

I think it is pretty obvious that I am such a book worm and am obsessed with collecting books. I am so thrilled that I am able to get some amazing books for such affordable prices. Often I struggle to find decent books in second hand stores but lately I have hit the jackpot.

I feel obliged to give a little warning to some of my readers - I have read some of the books (not all) and many of them aren't appropriate for younger readers. Running with scissors, One foot wrong and A stolen life are ones that I have read which are pretty full on and have disturbing elements within them that would impact any kind of reader, especially younger ones.

Well, that's my haul and I am so excited to play around with all my new things. If you have read any of these books I would love to hear your thoughts because there is nothing more exciting that chatting about books with other people!

Mini Haul: Jewellery, Op Shop Bargains and Nail Polish

Here's a little haul for the month of February.

Gold leafy necklace - $15 from Colette
9 earring pack - $15 down to $7.50 but purchased as part of 3 for $10 deal from Equip
Lacey necklace - $15 down to $5 but part of 3 for $10 deal from Equip
Lacey bracelet - $17 down to $8.50 but part of 3 for $10 deal from Equip
Essie polish - $13 but purchase for $8 with a voucher
Heart rings - $3 down from $9.95
Op shop Target flats (Brand New) - $3
Op Wildfire Shop heels - $5
Op Shop Minkpink dress - $9
Op Shop Grey Supre Cardigan - $4

How to go Op Shopping - a simple guide to getting bargains!

Silver - $5, Gold (free after spending $20),
Brown (free after spending $20), purple $3

With the world going crazy for everything 'vintage,' it amazes me how many people can't stand the thought of going Op-shopping. Friends of mine who claim to 'only wear vintage clothes' and have a style that only includes 'retro' fashion, often tell me how they never buy anything from Op-shops. What? How can that be vintage then, if you are buying everything from the chain stores and mainstream shops? They aren't really vintage fans, are they?

I asked a friend about their Op-shop avoidance one day, and discovered that the reason she wasn't keen on them was because she could never ever find anything she liked. She claimed to spend hours looking pointlessly and coming home with nothing but a grumpy attitude. I get the feeling that this is not uncommon.

I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert op-shopper, so I decided to make a post on all things Op-shop. I hope this helps for those of you who struggle to find things when you do get around to stopping into an Op-shop for a visit. I have also included photos of some of my favourite Op-shop purchases.

I compiled a list of tips and tricks:

1. Shop in both big and little Op-shops. Big ones usually get donations from shops, so often there is all this new stuff still with the price tag attached! The little ones are just as great though because you can find incredible things hidden away. Smaller ones are often less visited too, thus increasing the chance of finding something special.



L-R: GirlExpress (target) $8, Havianas (new) $2

2. Keep your mind open. Make sure you let yourself imagine and experiment - I have purchased some awesome clothing and jewellery pieces that I never would have considered otherwise. If it is cheap and there is a tiny part of you that likes it, it is probably worth giving it a shot.

3. Don't give up the search just yet. Op-shops are notorious for having junk that you have to sift through. Even if you don't find anything at all in one shop, don't just decide you hate them and are never going to one again. Some days I buy half the shop, others I just think everything is absolutely hideous and belongs at a dump not a shop!

4. Don't settle for super expensive things... Yes it is charity, but no the prices should not reflect what they did in the shop. One time I went to buy a shirt that had an op shop tag of twenty dollars. I pointed out that it still had its original price on it. The original price tag was fifty, but had been reduced down to twenty five, then down to fifteen. The lady at the Op-shop was very apologetic and gave it to me for five! If you think the price is too much (whether it has the original tag or not) then just ask - they would rather get a small donation than nothing.

5. ...although if you do love something and it is a little pricey (and you can't get it any cheaper) just remember it's still cheaper than if it was new. Sometimes it is just the way it is and you can't get that awesome jacket for cheaper than twenty five dollars. Sure, it is a bit expensive for an Op-shop, but ask yourself these questions. 1. Do you love it? 2. How much would it have cost new? 3. Is it worth it?

Scarf: $3, Belts $2 each

6. If it is broken, don't write it off. Particularly for those crafty girls, if something is broken, is missing a button or needs the hem sewn up, don't just dismiss it completely. You can purchase a button or two and sew them on yourself, or superglue that one broken chess piece together. Often you can get a huge discount on things that are broken or damaged too.

7. Keep an eye out for sales. Some Op-shops have particular days where they have sales. Sometimes they have deals (like fill a bag for $5 - best time of my life that was!) or 'anything with a blue spot 50% off.'

8. Make sure you try things on! I have found that often the sizes do not match the clothes (which is why they are in the Op-shop in the first place). Just like in regular shopping, sometimes clothes don't look nice on the hangar but look great on (and vice versa).

9. Check things carefully before buying them. Keep and eye out for any breaks, stains, rips, chips because sometimes people are lazy and use the Op-shop as a rubbish bin.

10. Don't just think about yourself. When looking around keep an eye out for stuff your friends or family might like. Friends have bought me some gorgeous stuff from Op-shops, and I have bought toys and things for family members.

L-R : Finders Keepers $15 (it's sequined!),
Sweetacacia $8, Valleygirl $3

11. Allow yourself lots of time. You don't want to be in a rush when Op-shopping. You won't find anything, I guarantee.

12. Go with friends. That way, even if you don't find anything it's still a lot of fun. Friends also find things you never would have and keep your mind open to new things.

13. Don't go to get a particular thing, you will never find it. Unlike regular shops where you go in the hope of finding a particular things - a summery maxi dress for example, you can't do that with Op-shops. While you are looking for that maxi, you may overlook the gorgeous coat sitting there so cheaply.

14. Last but not least, donate your things too. The only way Op-shops can survive is if other people give back. One man's trash is another man's treasure!


Op shops are good for: photo frames, scarves, jewellery, magazines, cutlery, board games, shirts, jackets/coats, handbags, shoes (although sometimes they are gross)
Don't get - underwear, makeup, dirty/stained clothes, worn down shoes
Hard to find - CDs, DVDs, books


I love op shops because you can get things that aren't 'in fashion' right now and find wonderful unusual and different pieces. I love it even more when it is dirt cheap.

Haul - Rubi Shoes, Equip and more

So yesterday I found myself at the shops (it is happening so frequently these days, I swear the car has a mind of its own!) and of course came home with a thing or two.

I went there to go to Priceline because, if you didn't know, they are having a deal where you spend $60 in one transaction and get a beauty bag worth $220 free. I wasn't sure if I was going to go for it, and in the end I decided not to. I have a heck of a lot of makeup already, and I really don't need any more. Yes, there were so many things I wanted, and I could have easily picked up $60 worth of products, but in the end it's spending $60 that I could have saved. It is a lot of money to spend on products that I will probably love for two minutes, maybe two weeks at a push, and then have pushed to the back of the draw. The stuff inside the beauty bag was lovely but did I need it? No.

I did however, end up picking up some jewellery, shoes and clothes (the shoes and clothes I actually needed).

I went to Equip and saw two rings which I kind of fell in love with. I think they are gorgeous, and they were five dollars each (one was on sale from $9 to $5) so I ended up purchasing them both. There is currently a thing going on where you give your email to them instore and they send you a 50% off voucher for next time. If you visit Equip frequently, make sure you get on board.

I bought two pairs of shoes from Rubi Shoes, because I love my flats and I wear them all the time. As a result my old ones are getting a bit worn out and falling apart. They were $20 each but the deal was two pairs for $30, so that worked out well.

I bought two T-shirts which aren't particularly exciting but I need them as basics for winter as I currently have NO warm shirts. The grey one was $8 and the red $15. They should be pretty easy to dress up with scarves, jackets, long necklaces and what not. Oh I am so not looking forward to winter!

I didn't buy this in the haul, but I figured I may as well include it anyway because it is new and exciting. My mother bought a bag for $40 and one week later decided she didn't like it because it didn't have enough pockets inside (or something like that) so she gave it to me which was nice of her. I really like it, so I shall be using it more often.

In terms of beauty, I did buy a liquid eyeliner for $2. I don't actually have a liquid eyeliner and I'm not sure that I will ever use one. I bought this to see whether it gets used. If it does, I will buy a better quality one - this is just a bit of a tester. I also bought a Paw Paw cream but it is a different brand and comes in a lipgloss type tube with a slanted applicator. That was $2.70.

Not sure what's going on there with the line in the middle...