thriftingPatrick John O'Dohertythrifting

How to thrift

thriftingPatrick John O'Dohertythrifting
How to thrift

South Africa doesn’t have the BEST second hand shops like some parts of the world but this doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be found. If you look carefully there are bargains abound.

Thrifting tips

  • Don’t be afraid to dig in deep piles or rummage on dusty shelves.

  • Try to see past the thing you like being dirty. Often something that looks siff in the shop will clean up and look stunning at home. If you’re unsure, take the chance, especially if it’s cheap.

  • Look for quality fabrics like wool, silk and cotton. These will last longer and they’re better quality so even if they’re second hand they should last a while yet.

  • Go more than once. It’s unlikely you’ll find the bargain of your dreams the first or even second time you go. Drop in more than once and don’t be disheartened if the pickings are slim. I promise you’ll be rewarded if you go a few times.

SO with that in mind here are my favourite thrft shops in Johannesburg, South Africa.

  • Toc H in Parktown North

  • REEA second hand shop in Craighall Parl

  • Wits Hospice in Orange Grove

  • Bounty Hunters in Melville (not for the faint hearted)

  • Junkie in Melville (amazing toy section right at the bacl)

  • Rags + Lace in Craighall Park (more premium designer second hand clothes but at a fraction of the price, but bargains can be found)

  • There are so many indie second hand Instagram shops popping up in Johannesburg and South Africa and they’re worth keeping an eye on too.

A note on alterations and dying clothes:

Sometimes you find the Armani jacket of your dreams for R65 but the sleeves are too long or it’s got a small hole on the back. Its worth spending R250 tailoring and fixing the jacket so it’s a perfect fit. You’ll still have a beautiful vintage designer jacket for a fraction of the price. In Johannesburg I can recommend Chunga, he’s in the Dunkeld centre. He’s in a tiny corner upstairs by the running shoes shop. His prices are clearly displayed and he’s an impeccable tailor and a lovely human too. His number is: 078 376 8079

This dress was white with blotchy yellow stains. I dyed it burgundy at Levingers and now it’s one of my most favourite dresses.

This dress was white with blotchy yellow stains. I dyed it burgundy at Levingers and now it’s one of my most favourite dresses.

Dying clothes is perfect when you’ve thrifted a beautiful cotton blouse, but it’s in powder blue. (Unless powder blue is your thing). A quick dye to a deep forest green or a navy blue can fix that. I use Levingers - they have branches all over. I dyed this dress burgundy after picking it up at a second hand shop in a sad state; it was white with blotchy yellow stains all over it. It’s one of my favourite dresses now. Bear in mind you can only dye 100% natural fabrics. Cotton and wool dye best.

What’s your biggest score you’ve picked up in a thrift shop?

My R599 thrifted wedding dress.

My R599 thrifted wedding dress.

My most treasured thrift was my wedding dress. It cost R599. I saw it hanging in a second hand furniture shop in Melville. I initially bought it just for the Chantilly lace in the long trail, I thought I’d make a veil from it. Until I took it home and tried it on, it was a perfect fit. But it was dirty and stank of cigarette smoke. I soaked it in the bath with vinegar and a little soap and kept rinsing and kept washing until finally it was clean. I altered slightly by taking the sleeves off and bringing up the full brimmed taffeta skirt into a mini skirt. I loved my dress so much and like every cheese balls mother I hope my daughter wears it one day!