Opportunity Lost
I grew up in Op Shops. In my teens I used to love visiting Church Stores run by the Salvation Army and Rag Merchants searching through bales of cloths. It was all I wore. In those days we used to buy by the weight.
I was saddened to see that This is not a Love Shop are closing down. Fast and Loose have also closed in recent times. It is a mixture of cheaper on trend clothing being more readily available and the success of Trade Me making it easier to buy and sell.
What gets lost though is the incredible eye the people who operate and buy for these stores have, distilling through all the crap and finding the treasure.
Buying on Trade Me may save a little time and money but you lose the essence of good vintage and second hand shopping by not benefitting from the years of experience these people have.
I think good vintage shopping needs a good vintage store because it is the people who run them that make them great not just the clothes.

View more Dispatch posts
Back to DispatchAuckland's Weather
The weather events in Auckland over the last 48 hours are unprecedented. Many of you will have been caught in downpours and will no doubt have items that have been...
Blending Luxury, Cashmere & Silk Range
Throughout history cashmere has been prized as a luxury fabric. This is due to its lustre, comfort, and rarity. The fibre is longer, smoother, and straighter than sheep’s wool creating...
From American Oxford to Giza 87: In Search of the Perfect White Shirt by Thomas Mason
Truth be told, I’m probably not the best journalist to take on this particular column. I used to endure a painful love/hate relationship with the white shirt. When you’re in...