The best op shops in Sydney

It can be hard for a new kid on the op shop block to shine, but that definitely isn’t a problem for the new Red Cross joint on Broadway. As with many slick city op shops, colour coded racks of clothes lead the proceedings, with everything from a cute Dotti crop for $7 to a dedicated shelf of near-new jungle print kaftans for $45 apiece, and a massive rack of $20-$40 cut-off denims. Beyond the wardrobe winners, you’ll also find carefully organised shelves of candles and crockery, sandals for days, and a very thoroughly thought-out book section with paperbacks for a fiver. As you have a squiz at their small section of $5 Minecraft and Doctor Who collectible toys, you’ll want to boogie along to their soundtrack of Bob Marley and David Bowie hits, before prancing in front of the Hollywood-style mirror on the red carpet.

This unassuming op shop is easy to miss. However, shoppers who make the effort to visit the RESTORE are unlikely to leave disappointed. The exposed brick walls, wooden pallet shelving and vintage furnishings give the store an industrial-chic vibe more common in Newtown than Seven Hills and its stock is as stylish as its decor. We’re talking high street brands like Witchery, Tokito, Bardot, Trenery, Cue. You can find treasures like a Third Millennium crimson slip dress (rrp $399) for a very reasonable $90, or other keepers without tags for less than a tenner. It’s noticeably tailored towards women’s fashions, though there’s a selection of men’s clothes and shoes, plus kids’ duds. You’ll find most (non-designer) stock ranges from $5-$15.

The Wayside Chapel is a Sydney institution, providing services and support to Sydney’s homeless population for more than 50 years. They run an Wayside Op Shop located in a period building adjacent to the Chapel. If you’re in the market for a winter coat, Wayside has options starting from as low as $12, with a fur-trimmed leather jacket setting you back only $25. You can also purchase Wayside Chapel merchandise from the store, or drop next door for a post-shopping pick me up from the Wayside Cafe. Our favourite pieces include a $10 Bardot blue sequined vest and $12 Tony Bianco heels.

With more than 50 St Vincent de Paul Society retail stores in Sydney alone, it takes something special to make any one store stand out, but you can always find something special at Vinnies Glebe Centre. The small store is packed with clothing, yet it’s organised in a way that it doesn’t feel stuffy. On our visit, we’re greeted by a mannequin wearing a fox-fur stole, which makes the store feel in-sync with its fashion-forward neighbourhood. Shoppers can find bargains like a $12 Princess Highway dress or dainty $15 Alannah Hill cardigans. Vinnies Glebe has a good range of men’s business and casual wear, too, ranging between $10-$30. If you’re looking for a statement piece we came across a hot pink flower-print shirt for $16. Searching for a bargain fancy frock? The designer rack has pieces like a slinky Elizabeth and James strapless number going for $80 – with the $425 price tag still on, you can be assured you’ve played the game well…