Aaah Auckland op shops and secondhand stores. There’s such an abundance of them that it’s hard to know where to start. So Capsule writer and proud thrifter, Vivien Beduya, rounds up her top eight Auckland picks.
Thrifting is a much-needed breath of fresh air against capitalism.
I first got into it to save money doing post-grad studies, while also becoming hyperaware of the environmental and societal toll of consumerism.
In the fashion industry alone, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is being produced globally every year. In Aotearoa, it’s an estimated 180,000 tonnes of clothing and textile waste. And electronic waste? A record 62 million tonnes was produced globally in 2022, climbing to 82 million tonnes by 2030.
So yes, op shopping is easy on the pocket and the planet.
And honestly, everything’s so mass produced now that I just want something unique. Plus, nothing beats the thrill of someone complimenting an outfit only for me to say, “Oh, this? Five dollars.” A $5 wrap dress and a $15 Country Road wallet? That’s hot.
Op Shopping in Auckland
Finding the best spots in Auckland can be overwhelming, but the ones in my list have stood out for me.
I lean toward curated secondhand shops with quality vintage or near-new pieces. It saves me from digging through endless racks. But when I do have the time, the local SPCA, Salvation Army, Red Cross, City Missions and Hospice shops are always worth a rummage.
Confession: I’ve been aggressively saving the past couple of years, so I haven’t shopped much.
But my partner and I just bought a house (yay!), and I’m on the hunt again. This time for furniture, art and homeware.
From bougie recycle boutiques to you trust charity shops, here are my top picks:
Flair
Westgate
Hospice’s new premium op shop in Westgate is a treasure trove of fashion, jewellery, furniture and art. Think curated finds from premium brands, sometimes with the tags still on. It’s not a “$2 shirts” type place, but you’ll score big on quality pieces. I almost walked away with a complete Gainsborough cutlery set for $89.
Tipping Point Recycling Shop
Henderson
Hands down the widest range of second-hand items I’ve ever seen in Auckland. It’s part warehouse, part shop and part cafe, and extremely family friendly (there’s even a kids area!). Whether you’re after gardening tools, sport gears, a bike for the kids, DIY materials, or yes, even a bath tub, there’s something for you here. Plus, it’s really affordable! The clothing section even once had a $2 flash sale. My fave spots? The music area and the library.
Tatty’s Designer Recycle
Ponsonby and Kingsland
For upmarket pre-loved fashion, Tatty’s is unbeatable. I got my go-to leather jacket there for $80, cheaper than the faux leather jacket I bought new for $100. It occasionally does rummage sales with items going for as low as $5, so follow their socials for updates.
Mercy Hospice Shop
Various locations
Someone once told me a rich neighbourhood means rich thrift finds, and they were right. I’ve only ever been to the Ponsonby shop, but every Mercy Hospice Shop I’ve heard of is stacked with branded stuff. My fave winter staple is a like-new Zara black tassel coat for $40. If you’re wondering which one to go to first, hit up the Remuera shop.
& Again
Online
Born from a mission to reduce fashion waste, & Again is a curated pre-loved online marketplace and consignment store. It sells “tidy kits” for the gals who want help with sorting and selling their clothes. As a thrifter and online shopper, what I love most about & Again is it has clear item conditions notes online. Bonus: it’s a woman and POC (person of colour) owned, local business. (Photos above were from a rare warehouse sale in 2021. I still wear the pant suit on the left, but unfortunately I’ve outgrown the satin brown dress on the right!)
EuRobe
Karangahape Road
Bringing in the best of Europe’s fashion brands like Hugo Boss, Esprit, Mango and Calvin Klein, EuRobe sells pre-loved and new pieces by weight. While pricing is by the kilo, people can buy as little or as much as they need. The per kilo price varies depending on stock. It was $50 per kilo at time of writing, but it was only $33 the week before! The pre-loved shop is relatively new in the K Road community, so stop by if you want to add a new store in your roster.
The Green Dolphin Bookshop
Karangahape Road
Aaah don’t you just love the smell of old books? The Green Dolphin Bookshop operates somewhere in between the owners’ hobby and a business, rescuing books and giving them a longer life. It’s essentially a mini library, complete with a reading couch at the back of the store. There’s fashion magazines, classic DVDs, children books, fantasy novels, coffee table gems and so much more, so you’re surely spoilt for choice. And soon, the second floor will be dedicated to New Zealand titles, giving local books a home of their own.
Vixen Vintage Boutique
Karangahape Road
A beloved K Road classic, Vixen Vintage Boutique has been around for around 30 years. It’s got a strong American Western vibe and unsurprisingly so, as items are handpicked from Texas (plus around Aotearoa). Think cowboy boots, fur, denim and leather jackets, colourful scarves, and retro funk. If you’re after something truly vintage, this spot is for you.
Thrifting Tips
Look, if you’re new to thrifting, I get it. It can feel overwhelming staring down endless racks of clothes or shelves of homeware.
Here are a few things that helped me when I first started:
- Know what you want. The thing with pre-loved shopping is that no item is the same. So if you go in without a plan, it can be too much to trawl through racks. But if you have an idea of what you want, like maybe you’re looking for a black dress for a party, or a coffee table book, then you’re locked in. It will save you time too.
- Always check the retail price online. Searching up how much something costs ensures you’re not overpaying. If an item is no longer being manufactured, check comparable items from the same brand. For example, we have Churchill Blue Willow plates but not the whole set. I found a 16 piece set at an op shop for $120. But when I Googled the price, Briscoes had the 20 piece set on sale for $130 (usually retails at $270).
- I said this before, I’ll say it again: Check the op shops in rich neighbourhoods. I used to thrift shop a lot at Devonport and Ponsonby and I always found great pieces at such a good price. I’ve never been to shops in Remuera, but my friends have told me the op shops (and even Facebook marketplace!) finds are so good!
