How to: Thrifting for better quality brands and fabrics

My wardrobe is full of well branded, good quality items. The best thing about it? I've spent next to nothing putting it together.

I love that secondhand shopping is gradually becoming more en vogue, not only in Australia, but around the world. This shift means a number of things: Shoppers are more conscious of how and where they spend their money and they're acknowledging that clothes don't necessarily lose their value, simply because they're pre-loved. Changing my perspective on having items of quality over quantity, and slowly my wardrobe, I've realised how much more practical and versatile a wardrobe of quality is! Use these tips (below) and you will always be well dressed, no matter how many times the item was worn before you scored it

1. Quality bargains last far longer

I won't deny it, trendy and fairly inexpensive chains like H & M and Topshop stock a large number of stylish clothing items to choose from, but they don't last very long. I remember buying clothes from Forever 21 when I was travelling a few years ago. While they were gorgeous to begin with, they soon lost their shape and buttons were popping off left, right and centre. Realistically, you get what you pay for at these stores. When op shopping, check the content label at the neck, in the waist band of the jeans, or in the left side seam to determine a fabric's content and care instructions. As a general rule, natural fibres (silks, cottons and wools) will stand up better than synthetics. I'm a fan of natural fibres, so I prefer cotton or wool (mostly cashmere) sweaters over acrylic because, not only do they feel better, but the fibres retain their shape and withstand repeated washing cycles. Now, I know. It's getting harder to find quality 100% wool, 100% cotton items secondhand. For some items this might not be a big issue, but if you're hunting for a quality winter coat, you may want to purchase garments with the highest wool content that your budget will allow. 

2. The fabric just feels better

One of the wonderful perks of filling your wardrobe with quality items is that the fabric simply feels better. These fabrics are generally softer and hold up to spills and everyday wear. Better quality items are normally made of materials built to last, so naturally they should look and feel better. The best part is that buying secondhand won't necessarily extend your budget any further than a cheaper material would! So take the time to look for quality pieces, you won't regret it. Once you have an eye for spotting quality clothing, you'll be able to find bargains all over the place.

3. Your clothes will hang better

Ever noticed how more expensive items (when you buy retail) seem to fit your body shape so well? It's because these items are built with higher quality and design in mind. Hunt for clothing of quality material, it will lay against your body with elegance and good structure. Just be mindful to purchase items in the correct size!

4. You will love what you own

Owning a number of high quality items lets you love what you own, without feeling remorse for buying items at full, retail price (poor bank card...) You can look at your wardrobe and see it as an investment, an expression of who you are. Clothing says something about you, what you like, and what you prioritise about your appearance. I love that I can show the world part of who I am through my style. 

5. You've saved so much money!

This is possibly one of the biggest returns for the economical shopper today. You can expand your wardrobe for so little money, leaving you with a lot of options to choose from through the season. When you take the time to carefully select what you want to buy, you'll spend less on impulse purchases and splurges and save more money in the long run. Remember, having a wardrobe of quality when thrifting takes time. Start small, donate items you don't love and replace them slowly. One of the ways I find good bargains when I visit an op shop is to take a list of things I'm looking for with me. That might be basic, staple quality pieces, or a specific coloured top. Look for pieces that will last a long time and can be worn often. They don't have to be designer items, just hunt for quality and durability.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on having a wardrobe of quality versus quantity and where you stand! Do you prefer one over another?

How to: Freshen your thrifted bags and purses

A leather handbag could cost $100 or more in the store, but find that same gem at a thrift store and the price is likely to be less than $10. Such is the beauty of shopping secondhand! This is one of the best ways to find high-end labels for less than clearance prices at a typical retail shop. Don't miss out on taking home a great bargain because of the discomfort of buying a product that has been used by someone else. With a little tender loving care, it's easy to make bags feel (and smell) like new again.

Here's one I worked on this week...

I picked this bag up at Vinnies this month for just $4! I was taken by the old upholstered style. The bag was in great condition when I found it but needed freshening up.

Meet Mickey, our family cat. He honed in on the possibility of something soft and went for it!

Cats... Definitely time to throw this one in the wash! (The bag :p) 

I immersed the bag in a bucket full of warm water and half a lid of eucalyptus wool mix to give it a proper clean. After a few minutes soaking I rinsed the bag out in clean, warm water before hanging it on the line. Best to leave it out to dry for a few days if the weather is as damp / cold on your end it is here in wintery Perth!

Depending on the material, cleaning can be quite a process, but I think it's worth it - especially if you've found a nice vintage purse. When it comes to hand-washing, use your discretion and always check the labels on the bag for tips before you get too water-happy with a bag that might not take it!

Ditch the dirt Even the best bag owners will find tiny particles of dirt, dust and paper accumulate in their bag. Once these are donated to a thrift store, more dust is likely to accumulate while your bag waits for you to take it home. So this is an important step. Use the wand attachment on your vacuum to suck out any crumbs, lint, etc. It may be easier to turn the bag inside out, or turn it upside down and shake it to get rid of all the residual dirt. 

General cleaning for most bags Use a damp (not wet) cloth moistened with soapy water. Wipe lightly over the whole bag, inside and out. If the fabric gives you cause to worry about water damage, skip this step. A good way to make sure you've caught all the little bits of dirt is to take a damp Q-tip and reach into the corners of the bag. You'll be surprised what you find! Use baby wipes to clean up those little marks that have been left on the lining of the bag. 

Cleaning leather bags If you want to clean a leather product, invest in a proper leather cleaning product to shine up the exterior. Chances are, vintage leather bags have been stored in attics and cupboards and likely need a good clean and condition. For your leather and leather-alikes, use the leather cleaner and follow up with a conditioner, if you can find one. The important thing is to keep the bag's leather soft and avoid losing the quality due to drying and cracking. Use a fresh cloth until there's no more dirt coming off. And remember: Follow the directions on the label - you will be surprised just how beautiful your bag will look after some love.

Cleaning patent bags You can use Windex on patent bags, but always do a test spot first. Whoa, hold up. Don't spray Windex directly onto your bag either. Best way to do it is spray onto a cleaning cloth first and then wipe lightly. If the bag is slightly soiled, use something like a Magic Eraser (and again, test it on the bottom of the bag). Note: Magic Erasers can sometimes dull patent leather bags if they're used too vigorously. If you want to add shine to your patent bag, use a steam iron. Hold the iron about two inches (roughly five centimetres) from your bag and apply a few bursts of steam onto your purse. Take a soft cloth afterwards and buff the surface. The steam should heat the patent and smooth the finish - and voila! Shiny! 

Be careful If you try any of these tips, I would highly recommend you testing a small (hidden) spot to make sure it won't ruin the material. Again, not all fabrics are the same so use your best judgment before hand washing.

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Above all, use your bags and enjoy them!

Lauren xoxo

DIY - Jazz up your pin board as a necklace display

Here's a quick DIY for your next rainy winter day. If, like me, you've accumulated a few necklaces in your thrifting adventures, you'll understand the problem that comes with storage and display. Even on some of the modern racks you can buy today, you'll run into a problem with tangled chains. Added to that, the necklace you want ALWAYS seems to be at the back of the pile. 

So that led me to my plan to upcycle this old pin up board with material I scored at the Salvos last month.

What do you think? The final piece looks great against a shelf in my bedroom and adds a splash of colour to the decor.

Step 1: Grab your average pin board, I dug this one up from my shed... it had been harbouring a small dust army for a few years. If you don't already have one at your disposal, don't fret - you can buy these everywhere.

I spotted this leftover material at the Salvation Army last month, and it's huge! I wanted something mostly plain with a small pattern for effect - so this was perfect.

Cut your material to fit the size of the board with some overlap. I used a staple gun to fix it to the back of the board. 

Don't forget to pick up some pins! (Check out those messy necklaces with no home... yet!)

Incidentally... I'm looking for a new project to use up the remainder of my fabric. Any ideas?

if you have any DIY projects you'd like to see in a future post, leave me a comment!

Why I thrift - and a big welcome to Cents of Discovery!

Welcome to Cents of Discovery, a blog dedicated to the joy of thrift shopping in Australia. Why start a blog about thrifting? More than simply a show-and-tell (although there'll be plenty of that!), I want to highlight some of my favourite off-the-beaten-path spots, give you handy how-tos and finally... I want to inspire you to re-think the very idea of thrifting.

How'd we get to this point? Last year, I swore off retail shopping for the foreseeable future. (More about that soon). So here I am - 10 months in. My style is now very much my own. I don't feel the social pressure to keep up with the latest trends. Rather, I'm relishing the chance to develop an individual style. With trends seeming so regulatory and curated nowadays, it's fun to be eclectic. My style will never look like something from the latest David Jones catalogue, but I don't want it to. I don't want to have to beeline for a rack of the same blouse everyone else is wearing. See, I can now gravitate to what I personally like - not what the big names are telling me I should. 

Shopping secondhand allows you to save money and look your best. And don't forget the ultra rewarding, coy smile when people ask you where you bought your latest look.

Now don't get me wrong. Thrift shopping isn't easy. It takes time, dedication and patience. Because a lot of what's on offer will be old, tattered and even dated. The rewarding part is hunting for those gems (and I promise they're there) of items which are quality, still have their new tags, are made of good materials and things you can reinvent as your own. Somehow I always manage to find something stylish on the $1 clearance rack. All of these savings add up, freeing up my disposable income for things I value, like travel and coffee with friends. 

Now 'just having a quick look' has become one of my favourite things to do. I go every weekend or so. Over the past year, my wardrobe has steadily expanded, instead of me struggling to afford one new piece. Thrifting is not only great for your purse, but it's good for the environment (these clothes get a second chance instead of heading for landfill), charities (no matter where you are) take in much-needed money, and I finally have enough clothes to experiment with having an actual style. For me, it's a win-win-win situation :D

And who doesn't love treasure hunting?

All in all, I hope this blog inspires you to give thrift shopping a try if you haven't already. And if you haven't been in awhile, I hope to reignite your passion for thrifting - hit up your local op shop this weekend. Thank you for stopping by. If you have a hot tip on a store I need to check out, want your thrifty style to be featured, or simply want to say hello, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a comment or email me at centsofdiscovery@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the updates as they start rolling out this week. Happy hunting everyone!

Lauren xoxo