Grandma did you really buy that at an op-shop?

Lots of mature ladies look gorgeous. Just look at Iris Apfel and the women featured in Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen.  But I’m more interested in how some grandmas (and their grandbabies) look absolutely fabulous in op-shop clothing.

Why op-shopping you may ask?

I must admit I’ve always loved op-shops and it’s not just hunting for bargains. I’ve only just got to know about the campaign “Buy Nothing New Month”, a global initiative for collective conscientious consumption. It’s a month’s challenge (October) not to buy anything new except for food and absolute essentials. I’m definitely in support because in January  2016, I vowed to BUY NO NEW CLOTHES for a whole year – self imposed for sustainable living.  My closets were bulging and I really didn’t need any more stuff. Op-shopping is a great way to satisfy the “itch” to buy and have something different to wear. Plus it is recycling, as you donate items too! Many of us who shop at op-shops want to find interesting things not available in main street shops, made to last and we want to leave a better world for our grandbabies by avoiding waste.

Can we still look gorgeous?
We can look fantastic in Chanel,  Prada and Max Mara, but in op-shop clothes? YES. Just look at Helen (at right), grandma of two lovely lads. She manages “Lydia’s” a pop-up op-shop at a local church. Here she is, top-to-toe in clothing from Lydia’s. I’m not sure what labels she’s wearing but that’s not the point. She looks gorgeous!

Can we buy fab things for our little ones?

Definitely. Just look at the cosy gilet that Felix is wearing in the featured photo. He looks pretty happy. And the cute pair of gumboots – all from Lydia’s.

And have I kept to the “buy no new clothes” vow?

This year I bought 2 new quick-dry travel shirts (didn’t really count because I needed them for a hiking holiday with my sisters) and succumbed to 3 new items while on holidays. Before I seem holier than thou, should confess I bought several pairs of new shoes on sale. I reasoned shoes don’t count because I wear mine out very quickly. 😉 So you can see it’s not a perfect record, but I’m hanging on!