Opshop Treasures and Other Bargains

I had the car last Thursday and went out shopping with a friend. Ita was the lovely church lady who gave me a stack of fabrics to start my stash. She had told me about an opshop at St Aidan's Anglican Church on the corner of OG and Payneham Rd which was only open in the mornings till noon. So we both went there to have a little browse. I was looking for jumpers and winter things, but was told that the winter things was only coming out on Saturday when they were having a fete. I wasn't too disappointed, as I picked up a pretty red Portman's knitted, short-sleeved turtleneck for $3.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="Red Portmans top"][/caption]

However, Little Wyld Man needed his nappy changed, so I went into the hall-where the fete was going to be. And all the winter things were hanging on the rack-the lady in charge said I could have a look if I wanted and if I wanted to buy anything I was welcome to. I went to have a quick browse, not really thinking I'd get anything, seeing as there were more coats than jumpers, and I was after the latter. However, I came across this gorgeous 7/8 wool winter coat with faux fur trim on the collar and on the sleeve, with princess lines but in a swing coat style. I tried it on and Ita and the other salesladies gasped-they said it was so Audrey Hepburn and soooo elegant and sooo me!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="A Frontal View"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="A Back View"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="Another View"][/caption]

The brand was Steve by Searle and on the care label it said CLEAN BY FUR METHOD DO NOT BRUSH PRESS OR STEAM. I went online after that and found www.searlenyc.com and guess what-all of their coats were in upwards of USD400 to 900, although right now they're having a half price sale. I also found the very same coat in black sold on ebay second hand at a starting bid of USD70. It stated that the coat was 70% wool, 20% nylon and 10% cashmere. And guess how much I paid for it at the opshop? $10. Yes. $10. I love the thrill of finding something so beautiful for next to nothing.

The next opshop we went was the Enfield Baptist Church opshop off Hampstead Rd. There, I picked up another red turtleneck and a brown long cardigan, both for $4. I was in a hurry and didn't try either of them. But they fit me perfectly, and Wyld Man especially likes the latter.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="Red Turtleneck"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="Another view."][/caption]

Those boots were on sale at Harris Scarfe's. I wasn't looking for any when I was there, but Wyld Man's been telling me to get another pair, because I keep complaining that pair I have pinches my toes. These were pure leather, and fully lined with leather as well. They were selling retail for $219.95 but was on manager's special for.....$39.95. And I bought them. And love them. They are sooo comfortable. The buckles are on a strap that can be taken off, so I can have 2 different looks too. 2 weeks ago I saw some at BigW for $70, and they were only PVC and I told Wyld Man that I was sure I could get some real leather one's for that price. And I was right.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="My brown long cardigan"][/caption]

This brown long cardi is very young, very versatile and very trendy. I can wear it with practically anything and it keeps me warm.

The next stop was Rivers. They had a catalogue in the newspaper selling women's cable knits for $14. I had to go and have a look to see whether they were worth buying. I'd have to pay$60-70 for knitted jumpers in a shop, $14 for a cable knit is very very good. Even opshops sell them for about $7 each. I got three.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="A olive green shawl neck cable knit."][/caption]

I also got the shawl neck one in black.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="321" caption="A silver turtleneck cable knit"][/caption]

Total spent for 7 items-$63. A pretty good day's work. I'm all set for winter.