Vinnies' New Online Store Brings the Op-Shop to You

One of Australia's biggest charity op-shop networks has made a big leap into online shopping: Vinnies Finds. This is actually St Vincent de Paul's second online store, with Vinnies Online launched last December; that site focuses on basics, homewares, and as-new items donated from businesses. Operating out of NSW, Vinnies Finds promises high-end, high quality fashion and accessories. But is it really preferable—or even possible—to have an op-shop in your phone?

The site itself feels fresh. Photos are clear and consistent. Sizes are listed on the preview, which avoids the frustration of clicking through only to discover something is two sizes larger or smaller than ideal. I haven't found any listings with measurements: with over 5,000 items at launch, I'll forgive them for not busting out the tape measure. Though there is something funny about their FAQ page saying "yes we have a size guide", then linking to a page that basically tells you to cross your fingers (and consult the individual brands' own websites).

It definitely has a couple of quirks as well. Sorting clothing exclusively into "women" and "men" feels a bit arbitrary for secondhand*, and while it's not world-ending, does mean problems like these men's COS pants (listed by COS here) being incorrectly labelled. At least items from both categories show up in searches. I'm also unsure of the utility of the "recently sold" carousel that appears at the bottom of each listing: it's like it's blowing a raspberry at me for not being super online or cashed-up enough.

And it has been the super online, cashed-up shoppers winning so far. Most stuff with a big brand name attached was gone almost instantly, like these disco-ball Uggs, or this black 'Louis Vuitton' crossbody bag, which surely isn't real but looks like excellent condition and quality for a fake.

Vinnies is supported by volunteers, and while they do excellent work, non-professional non-experts can't be expected to always get everything right. This means even online there are still opportunities for a bargain. Take this "statement buckle belt" sold for $12: while it's almost definitely a reproduction like the LV bag, they didn't catch what it's pretending to be—a LOEWE reversible anagram belt, retailing for a cool $850 (or only $755 with a narrower band!).

Just like digging through a physical secondhand store, working out exactly what it is you're looking at before anyone else can be half the fun. The struggle with an online store is that the pool of shoppers becomes much larger, and keywords alone might not be enough to help you. However: like a dodgy internet scam ad, you really can identify secondhand goods using this one weird trick. Whether you're in-store or on the web, if something jumps out as a bit noice, different or unusual: take a photo/screenshot and use Google Image search.

"I already know about Google Image search!" I hear you cry. "Who doesn't know about Google Image search?" Well, if the proliferation of fake news Instagram accounts is anything to go by, the answer is: way too many people! If there's one transferable skill across arts criticism, chronic social media use and secondhand shopping, it's learning to spot a fake.

I'm not just talking about clothes either. In my years as a bottle shop lackey I would give the same advice to (usually well-to-do, older) customers who would come in looking for a specific bottle of wine they'd had at some restaurant but couldn't remember the name. I couldn't contain my excitement the first time someone actually came in with a photo of what they were looking for. It's a game changer. (Depending on how fancy the establishment was, the wine in question would often turn out to be exclusive or limited-release, but at least I could give them an answer.)

But back to clothes! As spoiled by the header image, here are some pieces I loved, still available at time of publishing, that really capture the grab-bag nature of op-shopping:

• red American Apparel leather Boston bag, $35 – this bag retailed at US$145 in 2012; with inflation and currency conversion, that's AU$300 now! Frankly you're all lucky I don't like handbags. I was (am) really tempted.
• purple/blue Earth Colours vest, size L, $25 – if you can't think of an occasion where you'd better dress with a bit of whimsy, then it's time to organise one.
• red vintage Simona dress, vintage size 16, $30 – the kind of vintage piece that looks like a costume if you don't completely own it. So own it!
• pink Sugar Thrillz platform boots, AU 11, $50 – less of a bargain (out of stock online, were discounted to $140) but if you can stretch, the 14cm heel means you'll never struggle to reach anything again.
• brown vintage Fletcher Jones blazer, size L, $20 – a polyester classic winter staple for all the Fisk girlies out there.
• silver Juicy Couture crossbody bag, $20 – personally I find the Y2K Juicy Couture revisionism baffling, but this is still kind of cute.
• gold-toned sun and moon charm bracelet, $4 – it's basic. it's childish. it's $4.
• pink Fashion Nova over-the-knee-high boots, AU 7, $16 – super cute!! Perfect for the club, the office, the last-minute run to the supermarket. Out of stock on the Fashion Nova sita, RRP originally $107.

The "men's" options were slightly less inspiring, though I did like these vintage suspenders ($8), this pair of Nike Air Huarache Gripp (size 9.5, $30), this dramatic statement jumper (size XL, $15), some classic red high-top Converse (size 39, $14), and if you're confident on removing stains (or just don't care), this Paul & Shark bomber jacket (size M, $80) looks comfy, stylish and warm.

*The Sacred Heart online shop sorts items into "masculine" and "feminine", but also tags lots of items with both, so they're visible across both sections of their site. It's great use of one of the benefits of an online store—not being chained to a physical clothing rack.