06 Feb The joys of op shopping: self-expression and treasure hunting

Image: a photo of the inside of a typical op shop with several racks of clothing and handbags, and homewares positioned on shelves and on the wall. A selection of colourful light fittings hangs suspended from the ceiling and rugs of different shapes and sizes are laid on the floor.

What is it about sorting through pre-loved goods that is so appealing?

For many, looking for pre-loved goods makes sense in a time when the cost of living is increasing. For others, looking for pre-loved treasure has been their go-to activity for more reasons than economic value.

This blog is dedicated to people who find joy in shopping for pre-loved goods. This one happens to be through the eyes of an autistic ADHD young adult whose love of op shopping was captured via audio as part of a floor walk. I provided some questions in advance as prompters to use on their op shopping adventure. I’ve retained the Q&A style in the blog’s formatting.

A reminder that this is only one person’s experience.

I loved these insights – they are real, articulate and provide insight to why this type of shopping experience carries so much sensory joy for some people.

Happy shopping 😊.

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Q: What is it about op shopping that you enjoy?

A: There are so many elements to op shopping that I love.

I find it more challenging and stimulating than going to a retail store. It also feels cozy to me, more than a store that is sparsely filled. I don’t mind the clutter because it’s usually organised into sections or categories.

I like things that are unique, one of a kind. And I like treasure hunting. It’s definitely about the hunt. If you find something interesting, it’s a challenge to try and style it or incorporate it into your wardrobe. I feel like I’ve earned the item when I’ve looked for it for a while.

It’s also about my personal style and finding items that express my style. My identity is very tied to how I appear and I’m passionate about my style. Regardless of your style, you can always find interesting items at Op shops.

Op shopping is unpredictable, you never know what you’re gonna find. I find it exciting not knowing what stock and what sizes I might find in any op shop at any time. The stock changes constantly so every visit and every store is a new experience.

I’m someone who believes in fate so if I find something that fits me then it was meant to be.

I love old things and especially items that have a story. I love old books that still have a message in there, written by someone years ago. It might be a message from one friend to another or one lover to another. Or maybe a message from a parent to their child.

I find the quality of older clothing is better than fast fashion. Of course, it’s also charitable and much cheaper than retail shopping.

Q: How do you find the sensory experience?

A: Usually, I find it a safe space, I’m never under-stimulated. I can touch different items and I find it a good sensory experience. It’s calming.

What I also like about many charity-based op shops are the older people who tend to work there. They are friendly without being invasive. They are understanding, letting you roam about in your time without any pressure. They are friendly, it’s a nice experience. I find it much nicer than going into a retail store where everyone’s like, ‘how can I help you’.

Q: Is there anything that would cause you to leave an op shop?

A: It depends on the mood I’m in.

For someone who doesn’t like shopping and doesn’t like touching different fabrics, then it would be a problem. I know when it’s time to leave when my hands feel very dusty or dirty, or my eyes start watering and I feel a bit ‘icky’. That’s when it’s my sign to leave.

I may choose to leave if the music is too loud but I usually have my own music to listen to.

I did have one very unpleasant experience in a vintage store that seemed like it was trying to be a typical retail store. The clothing was really, really dispersed and looked hand-picked. I felt intimidated by the younger employees. The music was really loud and I asked them to turn it down (I didn’t have my headphones that day). They replied very rudely ‘why would we want to do that?”. In these situations it would be great if stores could designate a time where it’s safe for people with sensory issues to visit.

Q: How would you summarise your op shopping experiences?

A: For me it’s like sifting through those sand kits that have the buried crystals in them, or treasure hunting

Like finding treasure that has a story attached and have sentimental quality.