Fashion trends constantly weave their way through past decades and runway pieces, leaving those without an eye for style confused between what’s vintage and what’s just old clothes. Vintage shopping enthusiast Jenny Guice talks about how to stay in fashion without blowing the budget.
There is a certain aspect of exclusivity that comes with shopping in op shops.
But some people find the process of sorting through endless aisles of second-hand clothing in search of that perfect vintage piece slightly daunting.
And after you find that piece, how do you incorporate it into modern fashion or mix it with your current wardrobe?
Penrith Council and the Penrith Regional Gallery put together the Vintage and Pre-Loved Fashion workshop to teach people how to be "thrifty and stylish like the ladies on the Home Front".
It's part of the council's home-front workshops series that revisits themes of wartime austerity to teach practical ideas and encourage sustainability.
Senior sustainability planner Jenny Guice is a regular at the op shops around Penrith and will be sharing her tips on how to find quality pieces, what to look for and body shape awareness.
"The workshop has an underlying message of recycling and reusing clothes, which is not just for older people and those on a budget," she said.
"I talk about how to update older pieces with modern jewellery, how to identify and dress for your body shape."
In the workshop, Ms Guice shares her love of fashion and how it became more seasonal and mass produced in the '60s, and the big brands that turn over huge volumes of clothing.
Ms Guice said that as a guide, people can look through a fashion catalogue and try to find similar pieces in op shops.
‘‘Op shops can be overwhelming and chaotic, but if you understand what you’re after, it’s much easier,’’ she said.
To book with the Penrith Regional Gallery call 4735 1100 or click here.
Jenny Guice shares what she has learnt in her many years of looking for bargains and unique pieces of clothing in op shops.
■ Find your local op shops, assess the type of clothing they stock and work out how it’s organised, so you know where to find what you are after.
■ Find out which day of the week the store gets deliveries and aim to go a few days after that so they’ve got the best selection of stock.
■ Think about the size and fit, colour and style. Is it right for you? Will it go with other items in your wardrobe?
■ If you find an item that ticks all the boxes but is not the perfect fit, don’t be scared to get it altered. It will still be cheaper than a new one.
■ Give your findings a vinegar rinse instead of fabric softener. It doesn’t leave a vinegar smell, and removes the scent of anyone else’s laundry powder.
■ Don’t forget to close the loop by donating good quality, preloved pieces to an op shop.
* Click here to find an op shop near you.
