Tag Archives: op-shopping

Sew 233 – Op shop silk for theatre

My opshop habit has re-sourced garments for every occasion, including this $10 number which served me well at an earlier Governor’s Reception and last night to the Lyric Theatre.

The Last Confession starring David Suchet as Cardinal Bellini was incredible theatre about power, leadership and choices – and I had the opportunity to see it thanks to QPAC and my friend Liliana Molina.

At intermission, when a generous lady complemented me on my outfit (deeply envious were her words) I happily confessed it was op shop because its time for clothing reuse to came out of the closet and be mainstream. The dress is beautifully finished (dressmaker unknown as no label) which I found all askew in the dress-up section of an op shop and I bought it for the dupion silk fabric – only realising its full potential when I tried it on at home. Continue reading →

Sew 231 – Individual style based on shape

Whether we like it or not, we are judged by how we look and what we wear. That’s often the reason people shop for new clothes because they want to look right, wearing pieces specifically designed to be together.

But as image consultant Rita Noon says, fashion companies don’t design clothing ranges with you specifically in mind. Fashion looks great on models but we are all different – and don’t have to be slaves to what is on-trend and in-store this season.

My op-shopping hobby enables fun and affordable experimentation with colours, shapes and textures. Playing with individual style is what I’ve done for years and I’m putting it out there with Sew it Again 2014. Continue reading →

Sew 90 – Renovating your wardrobe

This casual linen suit made ages ago is refreshed by shortening the jacket and covering up the buttons. We renovate houses, why not our wardrobes? One way to do that is to sew it again.

Our clothes encapsulate our body. What we chose to wear is extremely personal – we want to look right, feel sharp, mirror trends and/or make a statement about who we are.

In the same way we may make informed food choices to nurture our health and wellbeing, we can make informed clothing choices which are good for ourselves and the planet.

Over-consumption of the wrong sorts of food is feeding obesity problems in most first-world countries – and that’s exacerbated by the many labour-saving devices we have on hand. Spending time growing a few herbs and cooking meals from scratch makes for a healthful, meaningful life.

By all accounts, the world is drowning in excess clothing and marketers are constantly pushing us to buy more new stuff through sales catalogues, inducements and prestige pedalling. Continue reading →