Are you a lover of cheap finds and one-off pieces? Well, it’s time to celebrate your addiction to vintage scouring. Running from August 24 to 31, there’s an entire week dedicated to all you avid op shoppers out there. National Op Shop Week, the joint initiative of DoSomething! and the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc. (NACRO), is taking over to encourage the support of local op shops in our community.
The week encourages us to donate the wardrobe goodies that no longer get to see the light of day, with over 2,000 charity stores listed on DoSomething!’s site, so you can find your closest op shop. And who knows, while you’re there, you might even find some new-but-used unique numbers to add to your existing wardrobe favourites. Culling is so much easier when you know you’ll have replacements waiting.
And if you need some inspiration, Salvos is helping to up the ante with a pop-up op shop in Sydney. An eco-friendly converted van will transform into a fashion store, popping up at Martin Place on Monday August 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There’s free breakfast until 8:30 a.m., or if you miss that, there’s a fashion show at lunchtime showcasing vintage and recycled fashion trends. Perfect for those on a budget, lovers of eco-friendly behaviour, or if you’re living amongst hipsters and struggling to fit in.
TV fashion commentator and eco-fashion blogger, Faye De Lanty will be curating the fashion show in her role as National Op Shop Week brand ambassador, alongside TV fashion commentator and stylist, Josh Flinn. “I am beyond passionate about showing people how their sartorial choices can help to save the planet,” Faye says. “Reuse, reinvent and reduce your fashion footprint. It’s safe to say I am a thriftshop-aholic!”
NACRO CEO, Kerryn Caulfield explains that the week-long celebration is about commending everything that op shops do for our community and environment. “National Op Shop Week is an opportunity to celebrate the important and multi-faceted role of op shops in our community.” The week applauds the voluntary staff of these charities and the joy of bargain shopping, while also promoting re-use of material goods and reducing waste in landfills.
