I must confess I love going to a good op shop. There's something thrilling about searching through racks and racks of clothes for something unique and different. I can spend hours collecting piece after piece and trying them on, humming whatever tracks are being blasted over the radio while dodging fellow connoisseurs as we navigate the over full racks of under priced clothing.
BUT I understand that my sentiments do not apply to everyone. My mother, for one, is someone who would never be seen dead in an op shop and, while the trend for op shopping has shifted to being hipster and sustainable, there are still those who view buying someone's donated clothing as a slight on their person.
So what are the benefits of buying pre-owned clothes?
Well, the environmental benefits are HUGE.
Approximately 7,500 litres (2,000 gallons) are needed to make one pair of jeans.
That's incredible. If you find a new (or new-ish) pair of jeans in an op-shop then the water that would be lost an industrial waste can now be used for other purposes (like drinking water).
Reducing the amount of clothing from landfill (and even prolonging the time before another joins them) is another huge benefit.
In Australia, a quarter of people admit to having thrown out clothes after just one wear.
If your clothing is made from cotton or linen, it takes five to six months to decompose. Polyester on the other hand can take up to 200 years to decompose. These man-made materials make up many articles of clothing available for sale, particularly those that make up the "cheap" throwaway culture of fast fashion. Increasing the amount of clothes you buy second-hand and not brand new, indirectly decreases the number of clothes entering landfill each year.
Want another benefit? How about the savings? My last trip to an op shop saw me leave with two pairs of black slacks (both still with the tags on), four tops, and two t-shirts for the grand total of $50 AUD; that's about $35 USD.
So I guess if you've read this far and you're still unsure if you'll venture into an op shop in the future let me urge you to embrace the sense of adventure and new (well old).
THREE Take Home Tips:
Buying clothes from an op shop is fun, cheap and helps the environment.
If you get overwhelmed going in the first time, try shopping with a single goal in mind (e.g. find a new top)
Don't forget to donate any clothes you no longer want. For you they might have passed their expiry date but for someone else they might be their most exciting find yet.
Obligatory Plea for Comments: what items would you NEVER op shop for?
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