Fashion is a funny thing. The clothes many teens are sporting nowadays are carbon copies of the frocks donned by their parents back in yesteryear.
Fashion is a funny thing. The clothes many teens are sporting nowadays are carbon copies of the frocks donned by their parents back in yesteryear.
Retro is in, modern retro even more so, and then we have vintage, hipster, goth, Afro-chic, punk, bohemian, and as Lady Gaga has pointed out – even cuts of raw meat have their place in the fashion spotlight.
Unfortunately, clothes are expensive and many of us are only able to afford a brand-new outfit on pay days when we get a birthday bonus. With temperatures fast plummeting too, shopping for winter woolies can be less fun and more of a desperate budget check on whether or not you can afford those knee-high socks you fancy so much.
Fortunately, Grahamstown has a double whammy way of beating the recession and winter blues: second hand clothing shops and thrift stores. These shops housing people's unwanted (yet in demand) fashion items have become a local and international sensation.
Time magazine has even reported on the new trend of buying used clothes, referring to it as the answer to trendy fashions at a fair price. Not convinced that ruffling through somebody else's trash will end up in you finding treasure?
Owner of the Nearly New second hand clothing shop on High Street, Di Westcott, might be able to change your mind. “Shopping with us, not only is it cheaper, but we have stock that is completely different to what you would buy in the franchise stores,” she said. “Where else could you buy an Italian suit and a cashmere jersey from France?”
Nearly New has an extensive range of men's and women's clothing, as well as accessories like hats, shoes, bags and even a fancy dress section with great finds like a 60s flower power dress. “Every day I put out new clothes for customers to browse. We're also very picky about what we stock so you'll find great clothes straight away,” Westcott said.
But buying second hand isn't only good for stocking your wardrobe; in some cases it can also benefit the community as well. The Sunflower Hospice shop, found at 67 Bathurst Street, has a wide range of clothing as well as other items like books, toys, linens and much more at incredibly good prices.
And all the proceeds from these sales go towards the care of Hospice patients – a win-win situation for everyone. For the final dish at the bargain hunt buffet, Wonderland Vintage offers quality fashion pieces all the way from the 1930s up.
Found at 32 Hill Street, they are open every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm. “The craftsmanship of our clothes is divine, said shop owner Madelize van der Merwe. “Every piece has its own uniqueness and individuality that's sure to give you style.” According to van der Merwe, “Vintage fashions will always be in fashion!”
So whether you're interested in saving money, curbing the trend of waste in society or are simply after some original show-stoppers that won't be found in any old franchise store, second hand bargains are definitely the new cool kid on the block.