Purchasing clothes is an activity that the majority of us love, and there are more than a few places on the Shore where a quality shopping experience is promised. Not all of us can afford to be basing our look on hundreds of designer items, however, so I set out to find a cheaper way to maintain the perfect style, without having to spend an arm and a leg.
Those of us who are students know all too well how difficult it is to balance a tight budget, which makes it almost impossible to revamp our wardrobes with expensive items. It is a rare occasion when a uni student can splurge on new clothes! A lot of families in Auckland face a similar fate, with money being prioritised for food, paying off a hefty mortgage, and/or purchasing basic items for everyday use. All of our costly needs add up, and can sometimes leave us with little left to spend on things for ourselves, which definitely restrains us from buying designer items every season.
There are so many hidden places on the North Shore that provide a selection of alternate styles for affordable prices. Although buying new clothes straight from the stores is one of the most therapeutic feelings for some, there is a thrill that comes with being able to hunt down stylish bargains at second hand stores. There is nothing wrong with pre-loved garments, and you never have to look too far before you find something that is fitting to your style, and for a fraction of the original price.
Places on the Shore where you are sure to find second hand collections are local op shops. They have so many different styles that they're bound to add some flair to your regular wardrobe. The Salvation Army donates the proceeds that they make to help support the community, and have stores in Takapuna, Birkenhead, Glenfield, Albany, Browns Bay, and Long Bay. They also offer a $1 Jumble Sale once per month in the Glenfield area.
Hospice Shops, which use their profits to help fund palliative care for sick people across New Zealand, have nine stores dotted across the North Shore so you won’t have to travel too far to find one. The Red Cross, which helps New Zealanders in a range of different ways, has two stores: Glenfield and Browns Bay. These shops all offer a range of items, and take donations of clothes too. So as well as being great for low-cost buying, these local op shops present perfect opportunities to donate old clothes in your wardrobe to a good cause and make space for the new season's outfits.
If you are after a more ‘chic’ look, there are stores which hold good quality, second hand designer items for a fraction of their value. You can find these stores dotted around the Shore: Recycle Boutique recently opened in Takapuna, and The Clothing Collective located at the base of Highbury Centre in Birkenhead (next to Sal's Pizza) donates half of its proceeds to The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Save Mart in Northcote is also packed with hundreds of clothes, and although it takes patience to sift through the long racks of garments, you are guaranteed to find a marvellous new addition to your wardrobe among the vast selection of items available.
The Takapuna Markets run on Sunday mornings until 12pm, and are a hotspot for second hand bargain snatching. Many of the stalls have racks of clothes for small prices; you can get yourself a full outfit for under $20 if you are willing to look hard enough! The atmosphere of the Sunday markets is one that a keen shopper will become immersed in, with gorgeous hand crafted soaps and trinkets, and the delicious aroma of various food options while you walk through the stalls. It is definitely worth a visit if you have a spare moment to pop out and look for the stands of clothes to land yourself a cheap buy.
Professional stylist Caitlin Taylor, based in Shore City, Takapuna, offered me some tips on how to buy appropriately. When it comes to choosing what to spend your money on, she says: “Only buy something if you LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Don’t just buy something because 'it will do'.”
There are many times when we are faced with the challenge of impulsive buying, and if you are on a budget, it’s important to only spend money on the things that will truly be assets to your wardrobe. “If you don’t have a big clothing budget, buy smarter. Don’t buy that $20 top every week, save up for a few weeks and buy a great jacket for the $100,” Caitlin suggests.
If you are struggling to buy a trendy, fresh wardrobe on a smaller budget, definitely head along to the Shore's great local second hand stores or markets and try your luck.
