Welcome 🙏🏻 This month, my SECONDHAND STYLE blogging buddy Jane from The Small Fabric of my Life became a Grandmother for the second time 😊 Congratulations Jane! So she is taking a break from writing to focus on what is really important! And as it’s just me, I thought I’d share some thoughts on how I find looking for secondhand (and all shopping really) like hunting for treasure 😉

Treasure Hunting is a wonderful expression. For me, it conjures up an adventure ! Which is one of the things I love the most about seeking anything secondhand. Whether it be the search for something I’ve seen on someone, or something for the home, there is definitely an excitement and a rush when embarking on it. As you never quite know what you will come across along the way or when you will actually find it 😂 …. which is a refreshingly good thing! Because in this world of instant gratification, seeking secondhand often brings patience and a “delay on getting things” back into my life. Which is treasure in itself 💛

I rarely embark on a treasure hunt without having a “so called” map. Which is where my Wishlist ( that I always talk about on IG ) comes in handy. Handwritten on a page in my filofax (yup, still use one!😂) are the sought after items …whether they be for my wardrobe or my home, I jot down specific things I’d like to bring in over time. None are urgently required, and they are definitely more wants than needs, but if I feel they would benefit me, they are put on my wishlist ! I find having a list in itself mindful as its something to refer to and reduces those random purchases 🙏🏻. And once an item is on it, what I choose to do, is sit with it, because sometimes that item isn’t what I was seeking after all and I mindfully remove it 😂 this also removes the urgent ”Ooohhh… want that” we all feel. But if some things stick (like the garments below), I actively embark on hunting them down. And over the past six months, I’ve happily managed to acquire three gems on the list, two have been found secondhand (and one new, although I did patiently wait 12 months for these to go on sale 😉) Of course, that doesn’t mean I always stick to the list… sometimes something just stops you in your tracks and you go WOW 🤩 like these gorgeous bangles I found at SAVERS:

The total of which cost me $17! Which of course, is the absolute bonus of waiting and buying preloved! It will be cheaper than RRP! And if you don’t stray too far from your style you will save money. See how well they accessorise with one of my fave dresses:

And as I’m getting wiser at purchasing less and better, I rarely make costly mistakes. I’m a stickler for the longevity of an item, so I always examine it carefully, read tags, and if online google alternatives and original prices. Remember, buying preloved doesn’t mean you have to settle with the quality! A great way to know what an item (or those like it) is worth is using a picture. I wrote about that here (it’s also about an item that wasn’t on the Wishlist 😉)

Two of the items on my Wishlist that I have crossed off over the last few months are these. The Zara gilet isn’t rare or new in design as I’ve seen it styled on many for a few years. It’s fabric composition is wool, viscose and polyester. Now I know this brand isn’t the highest quality, so to me, it’s something that certainly doesn’t warrant the original $219 RRP tag, and finally after about 12 months of coveting, last September, one came up on Depop, NWT 😳and in my size! You can imagine my excitement 😂 It was asking $100, I offered $90 and it was excepted! So I grabbed it!! YAY FOR ME ! I’m really looking forward to wearing it (with a top underneath…not just a bra 😂) as its a great alternative to a coat!

And it will look so cool over the Ganni turtleneck that I have coveted many times on my SIGNATURE STYLE blogging pal Cindy Hattersley (so it came recommended)….which is now mine! Well, it’s in the mail, as it only hit my radar last Sunday. Again, purchased on Depop, I offered $10 less than the asking price, and it was accepted. I am super looking forward to it. I continually wear turtlenecks throughout the cooler months, so to know that I will have this one in my repertoire is GOLD!

So waiting patiently and choosing to treasure hunt vs. racing to retail cost me $169 instead of $414. But it’s not just about the price, it’s also fun! Checking in on secondhand sites, perusing the charity racks for the exact or similar is a kind of game. It keeps me focused on what would add value to my wardrobe while waiting patiently delays the gratification which somehow makes them something I will treasure!

I’m not quite sure when my next gem will be mined although I do currently have one item on my Wishlist (a midi length silk or cotton slip in a skin tone). I have located one new, but as there is no urgency, I might just treasure hunt it instead 😉

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Sarah xx