Written and photographed by Selina Ferrais
It’s a uniquely personal thing – style – subjective, experimental, and constantly evolving with a myriad of outlets for expression. Style, I think, is in your DNA. It speaks to originality and courage. To truly know one’s authentic style, we must first find ourselves. Know who you are, then work at it – I dress, therefore I am.
For me, thrift shops and pre-loved clothing stores are among my happy places. The melting pot of fabrics, textures, colours, forms, and ideas offers an endless palette of opportunity and inspiration, waiting to be explored in the moment.
As much as I’d love to say my passion for thrift shopping stemmed from pure altruism – “I’m saving the planet, you know… closing the loop, reducing landfill!” – in truth, it’s more about having Zimmermann tastes on a Zara budget and a strong aversion to the generic.
Thrift and charity stores are treasure troves of clothing, accessories, trinkets, and all manner of flotsam and jetsam. Glorious finds you won’t encounter anywhere else, each with a story from another era, another place, and another life.
Not a week goes by that I don’t find myself rifling through clothes racks like a bowerbird hunting for shiny treasures and hidden gems that I can give a loving new home to. There’s joy in that. Without a preconceived idea of what I’m looking for, the exciting challenge of finding a piece out of context and giving it space to make sense within my own style feels like pure self-expression. You have no glossy magazine or retail assistant “recommending” you pieces for your capsule wardrobe or this season’s spring catalogue trends…. it’s entirely between you and your little pre-loved piece to tell your story.
Thrift stores can push the boundaries of your style in the best way. You can either dip a toe outside your comfort zone or dive right in. Mixing and matching becomes a thrill! Let’s pair this 1950s wasp-waist full circle skirt with a fabulous 1960s patent leather belt, a vintage (2010!) oversized T-shirt, and some white trainers from Zara’s 2024 winter collection – bam! Style, baby!
Thrifting also makes it easier to achieve a realistic budget. When compared with high street prices, pre-loved items allow you to take home a bag full of finds and experiment with what feels right, while still encouraging you to push the boundaries – because you make your own style.
Here are my top five tips for thrift shopping:
Check the brand names – For example, an Oroton piece is more likely to last and be of higher quality than a Zara or Anko (Kmart) item.
Choose store locations wisely – Shops in affluent areas or higher socio-economic zones are more likely to carry big-brand names and possibly better quality pieces.
Check the tag – If the tag is in good condition (not faded or torn), it’s likely the piece hasn’t been over-washed or worn too much.
Inspect seams – Gently pull seams apart to ensure they’re sewn well, with no missing stitches.
Be open-minded – Often, when you stop searching for something specific, the perfect piece finds you.
Happy stylin’!
