| 1. Identify the op shops in your area and visit as | | | | Completely change buttons on a shirt or dress if |
| often as possible. Just remember it is opportunity | | | | there are one or two missing, add a lace hem... |
| shopping - eventually over time you can build a | | | | 8. Know your labels. Some labels have a stronger |
| great wardrobe for your little ones. | | | | resale value - then know your eBay and sell it |
| 2. Keep a list of what you need for your kids in | | | | when you don't need it anymore. |
| your purse, as it helps to keep a clear head while | | | | 9. If it all sounds a bit too much, do this simple |
| you look at great items and it's easy to get | | | | test. Know exactly what you spend (money, |
| distracted. | | | | time, emotionally) on firsthand clothes shopping - |
| 3. If you come across a fabulous find but it isn't | | | | count parking, queues, shopping with kids, food |
| the right size for your children - think of a friends | | | | and maybe some rides/bribes. Then... jump online |
| or relatives child that might like to receive the | | | | and secondhand shop during the evening with a |
| item as a gift for a birthday or Christmas. (read | | | | cup of tea or glass of wine wine in hand - the |
| my recent experience below) | | | | children are asleep. Compare price, time, emotional |
| 4. Think ahead. You might find a lot of winter | | | | expense - and add that up. |
| clothes through the summer months that you can | | | | 10. Know other sources - Trading Post, Brisbane |
| store until it gets cold - the same goes for bigger | | | | Shopper or similar where you live, baby markets, |
| sizes that will fit eventually. | | | | garage sales that advertise children's items as well |
| 5. Check the quality (apart from the obvious - | | | | as bricks and mortar op shops and good old eBay. |
| stains, missing buttons, broken stitching etc) - | | | | My latest personal experience. I'm lucky I live in |
| check for a spare button on the side seam tag or | | | | Wynnum (in Brisbane, Australia) where there are |
| at the bottom of the placket, turn the garment | | | | 11 op shops. But I also know where other nearby |
| towards natural light and check again for marks | | | | op shops are and I make it a habit to check them |
| that don't show up in shop light (and there are | | | | out - not every week, just every now and then. |
| loads!). | | | | A quick flick through the racks of children's |
| 6. Op shop online! Not eBay but other places - | | | | clothes - I zero in on fabrics and colours I like or |
| bookmark them and drop in for a look often. | | | | dresses only etc. I found an Esprit dress in |
| Here are some great sites apart from mine: | | | | perfect condition but it was way too big for my |
| charlipopkids (preloved section), monkeysundies, | | | | daughter but not too big for my niece. One |
| and my personal favourite "Little Kids and Big Kids | | | | stunning dress by Esprit for a Christmas pressie. |
| Clothing Store" at oztion (all are Australian based). | | | | $4.50. In the 4 months that I have been checking |
| 7. Get creative. You've just found an item to die | | | | eBay, Brisbane Shopper, online, and local op shops |
| for in excellent condition but there is a nasty stain | | | | I have built up an amazing wardrobe for my kids. |
| on it somewhere. You can simply cover it up with | | | | It's not conventional shopping that I was used to, |
| sequins, decorative patch, rosettes - anything. | | | | but it is so easy and fun. Reduce, re-use, recycle! |