Maggie Zhou’s Favourite Op Shop Finds for Summer

Australia’s op shop culture isn’t going anywhere. There’s no better way to find new wardrobe additions than heading to a charity shop to browse through some pre-loved goods. If shopping can be considered a hobby, then op-shopping is my favourite pastime.

I’ve been op-shopping for well over a decade now. Some of my favourite teenage memories revolve around weekend saunters to the local Vinnies, trawling through the racks while absentmindedly humming along to the oldies radio over the speakers. In my early twenties, road-trip pit stops always meant popping into a big, regional op shop – because that’s where all the gold is.

Around 85 per cent of the clothes I bring into my closet are second-hand. It’s a no-brainer, really. Op shop finds are unique, more affordable, kinder to the planet, and can help local charities.

The joy of second-hand fashion is that you never know what you’ll stumble upon, but there are a few garment types you can rely on finding. Button-up shirts, plain T-shirts and tanks, and blazer jackets are often pretty common, with many natural-fibre, high-quality options.

Shopping second-hand has also become easier with the rise of online marketplaces like Vinnies Finds, the op shop’s new web store. It brings the perks of op shopping into the digital world, making it even easier to choose pre-loved items.

Over the years, I’ve collected many wardrobe heroes from Vinnies, both offline and on. Here are some of my favourite pieces I’ll be wearing all summer.

Iridescent slip dress

This is my favourite thrift find ever. Picture this: I’m in my first year of university, with my uni ball coming up. I waltz down to my local Vinnies, and there she is. The One. A vintage midi, lined slip dress, made from an iridescent green-purple semi-crushed polyester-viscose blend. Made in Australia by late ’90s label Guava, it breezily balances between being a statement piece (due to its fabric) and a wearable, functional dress (due to its simple silhouette).

I wore it to my uni ball, but I’ve also worn it dozens of times since, from cocktail parties to weekend hangs. A long-lined trench coat and a pair of coloured heels give the dress a Carrie Bradshaw feel, while an oversized graphic tee worn on top grunges it up. Nine years on, this is still one of the most cherished pieces I own.

Linen midi skirt

Hot summer days mean linen pieces are a must. I found this 100 per cent linen midi slip skirt at a bayside Vinnies earlier this year. It’s one of those wardrobe staples that transcends seasons and trends. This summer, I’ve been reaching for it constantly – it’s airy and light, plus its elastic waistband means you can wear it both high and low-waisted. It pairs well with a ribbed black tank, an open button-up shirt, or a patterned statement top. I recently wore it pulled up over my bust, turning it into a strapless dress.

Oversized white graphic tee

I’m a sucker for a silly printed tee, and op shops are a treasure trove of them. The sillier the graphic, the better. I love this American-made, tongue-in-cheek tee designed in the ’90s for people born in the year 1947 – when New York retired its last streetcar, the first dinosaur remains in North America were discovered, and Ronald Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild. I’ve been styling this 100 per cent cotton T-shirt over long-sleeved striped T-shirts, pairing it with jorts or a miniskirt.

Wrap tennis skirt

It’s probably a hangover from American Apparel’s iron grip on the early 2010s, but tennis skirts have a soft spot in my heart. This sporty piece serves as a dependable basic. It’s an unbranded wrap miniskirt featuring double snap buttons, closing in at an asymmetrical angle. Coupled with its double-stripe side detail, it’s a fashion-forward take on typical sporting gear.

With Australian Open fever at an all-time high, I’m betting we’ll see a swarm of tennis skirts this summer. Lean into the racquet sport’s white palette and elevate the look with a boat-neck white tank and a pair of heeled thongs, or for a street-style city look, consider a pair of knee-high black boots and an off-the-shoulder tank.

Brown leather jacket

Op shops are where you can inherit future heirlooms – the garments you’ll want to pass down to your loved ones. I found this Industrie jacket and knew it was the perfect piece to add to the joint wardrobe I share with my partner. This 100 per cent leather motorcycle jacket features multiple pockets and intentionally distressed detailing, making it look and feel like a piece that has lived a life of its own. Styling options are endless – you can wear it over a frilly dress for a contrasted look, or with a pair of blue jeans for a more casual combo.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Vinnies NSW. Find your new favourite sustainable fashion pieces online at Vinnies Finds and at your nearest Vinnies store.