BY AMANDA GUNN

Despite being so close to the ‘The Fashion Capital’ Chadstone Shopping Centre, many Malvern East residents are choosing to shop for secondhand clothing.

Previously stigmatised as an economic necessity for the poor, secondhand clothing stores have evolved and become havens of low-price, sustainable shopping.

Malvern Salvos store manager Ramana, who did not wish to provide a surname, said op shopping provides consumers with “more interesting and affordable clothing”.  

According to Ramana, the mainstreaming of thrift culture online has made it “appealing” and “cool” amongst a wide demographic of customers.

The Malvern Salvo store is not just a place for economic, trendy finds, but it also supports a range of Salvation Army programs.

“Our store has our own welfare system assisting the St Kilda Crisis Centre, involving crisis accommodation, food packages, financial advice and youth services,” Ramana said.

Salvos is the largest op shop chain in Australia.

“(Salvo stores) provides recognition and multiple locations that vulnerable people can gravitate towards," Ramana said.

A major incentive to choose op-shopping is altruism, as all profits from places like the Salvos support welfare programs, as well as sustainable fashion.

“Customers are saving clothing from landfill and providing someone with a meal or bed to sleep in,” Ramana said.

Mother and daughter team Julie and Renee Alogaras, have similar aims for sustainability with their designer-recycle boutique store Second Obsession.

The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10 per cent of carbon emissions, so the Malvern East consignment store aims to prevent garments ending up in landfill.

“We sell good quality items that can sustain [wearers] forever,” Ms Alogaras said.

Social media thrifting trends on Tik Tok, and vintage clothing sold across Instagram, has seen attitudes towards second-hand clothing evolve.

“Twenty-nine years ago when the store opened, there was a lot of stigma and customers questioning purchasing second-hand,” Ms Alogaras said.

Customers from all ages appreciate recycling and understand they need staple, good quality pieces rather than supporting fast fashion, she said.

The mother-daughter duo behind Second Obsession said they believe the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on second-hand shopping.

“COVID has opened people’s eyes to adapting for good, including in the fashion industry,” Ms Alogaras said.