Style Sample: The game of thrifting
“Second-hand shopping is like a game,” says one stylish market-goer on their way into the Second Life Markets – CityMag’s destination of choice for this iteration of Style Sample. And, surely, that is one of the best things about thrifting – the game of sifting through racks of clothes in the hopes of finding a statement piece; going home with a win.
Most people at this market were there for the same reason – a love of fashion, supporting small businesses and a passion for reusing items that would have otherwise gone into landfill. Though many people shop second-hand because it’s better for the environment – avoiding fast fashion retailers that mass produce the latest trends with such quick turnarounds – the general consensus from the people we spoke to who were shopping on this particular Sunday was that they wanted to find items that no one else has. Mission accomplished.
Arthur, Wilson and Walt Hao Zeng
What’s been your favourite stall here?
Hao: Probably the Filter Store.
Jamelia Pedrosa
What do you think is the best part about second-hand shopping?
I like the quirkiness of everything and finding something more personalised towards you, because I feel it’s more special finding it when you search for it.
Kody Holman (left)
What’s the best part about thrifting and buying second-hand?
You get to find people with the same niche as you. If you have a similar style to someone, you meet people in the same place.
Hasini Wisna (right)
What brings you two here today?
I did it. I forced us to come here just because. I haven’t been to the Second Life Markets before, and I was really keen to check it out.
Jade Langford and Jade Veitch
What brings you here today?
Jade L: Shopping sustainably and all the local designers and artists as well.
Jade V: It’s cool to see all the different things, and all the different people and the fashion.
Jaxon Lindo
What brings you here today?
Just to cruise around, I guess. I’m not trying to buy anything specific, but here to just enjoy the people, walk around.
Stephanie Yang (left)
Can you describe your style?
Something casual. Whatever is most comfortable for me.
Josie Wang (right)
What’s the best part about vintage shopping?
It’s about sustainability, and also there are so many remake pieces, so it’s another chance for the old-fashioned clothes… to be stunning.
Laura Vogt
What brings you here today?
Well, I’ve been doing markets now for about 15 years. Whenever there’s a new one, I’m like ‘Oh, what’s this? And who’s going to come along?’. And I just get so excited. I’ve got a shop (Sustainable Clothing Co.) as well on Grange Road in Kidman Park, so it’s a good way to get people to know about the shop and get a little bit of a taste for what we’ve got.
Eric Bisanukri
What brings you here today?
Fashion, you know?
Zane Qureshr
Can you talk me through your outfit today?
Got sambas from the Adidas store a few years ago. These Levi’s from Goodbyes, I bought when I used to work there a few years ago. And then I think it’s an off-brand Diesel and a Yankees hat as well.
Maya Shiraiwa
What brings you here today?
I’m new to Adelaide, I’m from New Zealand, and so I haven’t been to one of these before. I’ve been to one in Brisbane, but wanted to check this one out. And I’m just trying to explore Adelaide little by little.
Franco Suares
Can you talk me through your outfit today?
It’s things that are from my stall, Alot. This top is part of the, I call it the grunge style of my stall. And this one is a reworked skirt. A girl from Thailand, who does rework of wasted things; like vintage that is not working anymore – they make cool things with trash.
Chira Grasby
What brings you here today?
Visiting a few friends who have stalls, doing a bit of shopping, just getting out of the house.
Tom Fitzgerald
What brings you here today?
I’m here just to check out some cool clothes and see what’s going on, because I don’t go to regular stores, and sometimes there’s not that much there that I’m attracted to.
Madison Schell
Do you thrift a lot?
I love thrifting. I love second-hand shopping. I much prefer it to going to the shops. Everything looks the same, especially in Adelaide. I find that we don’t have many niche, smaller stores. So, I like to go op-shopping, even when I’m in other states and stuff as well. I’m going to Europe this year, and I can’t wait to thrift there.
Lucy Mitric
What brings you here today?
Oh, you know, I’ve seen a bunch of ads, and a bunch of people I know are hosting it. I thought might as well check it out.
Paris Kemp and Austin Coxon (above)
What’s your favourite op shop in Adelaide?
Paris: We don’t gatekeep. I love the Salvos at Arndale – weird, good spot and super cheap. Most of the Salvos are really expensive, and the rest are just church op shops. They’re the best because there’s just a bunch of little old ladies who have no idea what they’re pricing, and so it’s always really super cheap, and you get great stuff.
Cindy Bennetts
How would you describe your style?
I’d say, at the moment, I’m in a bit of a rut. I like to wear a lot of masculine boy clothes, but I’m trying to get back into my femininity. I like patterns, but mixing them with simple bottoms. I like archival fashion. I don’t have the budget for very fancy ones, but I’m trying to explore.
Sienna Montgomery-Pittaway and Ariela Rose
What’s the best part about thrifting and second-hand shopping?
Sienna: Just finding gems – vintage gems, and giving clothes a second life.
Ariela: I love…how there are different shapes you see in op shops, which you don’t really see when you buy brand new clothes. A lot of brand-new clothes are fitted for very specific fashion styles that are so quickly changing and different. And if you really enjoy a certain physique or silhouette on your body, then you can actually get that and achieve that by going to op shops. It just allows you to express yourself a little bit better
