There's nothing like that stale smell of vintage clothing or rustling through the bargain bin to find the perfect pair of Jackie O sunglasses for $1! Or going bargain crazy and getting not just one pair but 4! How could I resist?

The Vintage bug bit me when I was about 7, I was down at the local shops with mum and doll "Wanda" in hand, when we walked past a second hand shop with dolls clothes hanging in the window, I dragged poor Wanda everywhere with me, and she desperately needed a new look, so I asked mum if I could go in and spend my pocket money on a new outfit for Wanda and so it goes my doll was up with the whole vintage look before I even knew what fashion really meant!

Then as I got a tad older and swapped my dolls for lip-gloss, I realized there was more to second hand clothes shopping than doll's clothes, I could get things for me. who knew? And second hand clothes shopping when you have a budget of $5 a week to spend, comes in handy! I have been rummaging ever since.

Second Hand stores and Op-shops are not as 'exclusive' as they used to be, because ever since it became "Fashionable" to dress in second hand threads, it's harder to get the bargains that you used to. Some stores have raised there prices dramatically, were not just talking specialty vintage stores, were talking local op-shops, and not mentioning any names Salvation Army on Keilor Rd.

Where I was looking at a cane basket that looked like one I owned pre-lip gloss days, and they wanted $17 for it! I could buy a new one for that price! It's not that I'm a tightarse, but the fun of second hand shopping was to grab something original that you had to work hard at finding for a bargain!

The question becomes "are we being ripped off by op-shops?" I know prices will always rise, but what about the needy people who shop there not to be "Cool" but because they can't afford anything else. Are all of us so called fashionistas to blame for the price rise?

I am willing to pay an arm and a leg, for the right piece, that is if the quality is amazing, if there’s a pair of Italian leather boots in great knick, or a 50’s tea dress with no stains or buttons missing, or it's something I can't live without, if you look hard enough and at the right places you may even find a great investment piece.

How do you find the right vintage piece for you? Here are some vintage shopping tips I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Know what your looking for
It's easy to get bamboozled looking in a store with clothes and knick knacks wall to wall, layer upon layer. So before you leave check out your wardrobe, what do you need? What do you want? Sure, you will most likely find something you love that's not on the list, but if you have an outline it will save a lot of sweat.

2. Be open minded
If you find something that you have to have but it has a stain, or rip or is too big or to small, realize that there are things that can be done about it!! Dry cleaning will get a lot of stains out, asses the situation, yes some things are beyond repair, but something may only take 20mins at the alterations store, and Whoa-lah.... New improved second hand outfit!

3. Study time
If you’re really serious about finding a perfect piece, study up on fabrics and shapes, even timelines. See which materials wash up well, are comfortable, what silhouettes belong to what era's to determine how old the garment is. These things all come in handy and your friends will love you for it!

These tips will also help you tell the real from the fake, get to know what designer trade marks are and don't fall for a phony! Can we add in some online Vintage stores – they have them on eBay

After all that no doubt you'll be ready to hit the shops & grab a bargain. Below I've listed a few local and international shops to help you get started.

Australia
*Retrostar: Lvl 1 Cathedral arcade,37 Swanston St, Melbourne PH: 61 3 9663 1223
*Savers: 762-772 Sydney Rd Brunswick, Melbourne PH: 61 3 9384 2068
*Episode: 175 Sydney Rd Brunswick, Melbourne PH: 61 3 9380 1777
*Divas Closet: 32 William St Paddington, NSW 2021 App only

Overseas
*Uncliamed Baggage: 509 West Willow St, Scottsboro, Alabama, USA
*Wasteland: 7428 Melrose Ave, Los Angleles USA
*Decades: 8214 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles USA
*Decades London: 17-18 Dover St, London
*Portobello Markets: Portobelllo, London

Online
*www.ballyhoovintage.com
*www.unique-vintage.com
*www.vintagevixen.com
*www.ebay.com

If your patient enough the right piece will come along! Just the other day, after a month of nothing, (which is huge for me) I found a 1980’s Satin Scanlan & Theodore little black dress for 20 dollars!! I couldn’t take my eyes off it, I just had to get it. Wanda would be proud! 

Happy vintage shopping!