It’s funny how thrifting has come full circle in my life. Growing up in England, my mother and grandmother were big fans of trawling through op shops. Many of my clothes were secondhand and I hated it. Especially when I hit my early teens and felt the scrutiny of my peers.
As an adult, I started learning more about the fashion industry’s impact on the environment and knew there were changes
I could — and should — be making. I know I’m not alone in this mindset.
According to the online retailer Jewellerybox’s 2022 Sustainable Fashion Report, Australians were named the fifth most sustainable fashion-conscious shoppers in the world. The report states that Australians have Googled the terms “sustainable fashion” and “second-hand clothing” at an increase of 50 per cent each year.
I’ll admit, my own sustainable clothing efforts were a little half-hearted until I moved to Tasmania and was introduced to an entirely new sustainable clothing world: The Finders.
Meet The Finders
The Finders is a collective of vintage and secondhand sellers based in Hobart, Tasmania. Bec Taylor, aka Vintage Stallion, and Freya Flavell, aka Moonsign Taurus Vintage, came together with two other well-known Tassie vintage slingers, Hayleigh Sanderson and Linda Coy, in 2019 to found the store. Hayleigh and Linda have since moved to new pastures, and Bec and Freya have opened applications, inviting other sellers to join on a rotating basis. In June this year, Lottie Philips of Shallot Vintage, and Ginny Milne, founder of Honey Jumbles, joined the store.
We’re all familiar with thrift shops and vintage markets, but The Finders has created a new genre of secondhand store with its concept store meets brand pop-up format. The store itself is beautifully arranged; contemporary secondhand pieces sit alongside vintage clothing and carefully curated local artisan goods. It’s something of a mini department store
for pre-loved lovers.
“I’ve been passionate about sustainability for as long as I can remember and loved thrifting even as a young child,” says Bec. “I’ve been selling vintage since 2001 through markets, eBay and Etsy. It wasn’t until 2019 I decided to quit my local government job and open a bricks-and-mortar location.”
Unfortunately, just as Bec’s store was gaining momentum, COVID-19 hit, and she had to close the business. She managed to make it through the lockdown periods on her savings, but was contemplating handing back the keys to the store when she had an idea.
“I had the idea to hire out rack space. I approached some local vintage sellers, and the first person I met was Linda from Heaven Vintage,” remembers Bec. “Initially, she said no, but then she suggested that rather than rent racks, we set up a co-op arrangement where we split overheads and have equal decision-making powers. At that point, we asked Hayleigh from Hiatus Store and the owner of the Reloved Market to join us. We decided to find a fourth just before opening, and Freya from Moonsign Taurus came onboard — the rest is history!”
A new style of sustainability
It’s refreshing to hear a bricks-and-mortar success story emerge from the world of lockdowns and online shopping. Ginny attributes the store’s triumph to the fact that when it comes to vintage clothing,
a physical store is often more meaningful.
“I find people are more in touch with the special parts of vintage and secondhand when they can see it right in front of them and touch it with their hands,” she says. “There’s indescribable energy from something that has been loved before. I think people feel an item’s ‘one-off’ rarity more directly when it’s in a store rather than a website.”
“I think our timing was right in terms of people shifting to sustainable fashion choices,” adds Bec. “Our local following is huge and humbling, and we are so grateful. We have also become a go-to stop for visitors to nipaluna/Hobart. Our customers are all genders, as young as 12 and as old as 90 — and they’re the best people.”
I mention the recent Sustainable Fashion Report to Bec and ask what this means to her as a long-time vintage slinger. She’s pretty enthused about how we’re collectively switching our mindset towards sustainable clothing options. “It’s about time! The growth of fast fashion and the departure of most manufacturing from Australia has been heartbreaking. We are literally suffocating the planet with discarded clothing,” she says. “The fact more folks are getting on board with sustainable fashion choices makes me so happy. It means we have more customers and a growing community of secondhand and vintage lovers.”
“I think Australians, particularly Tasmanians, are aware of the incredible natural landscape and resources we have. We are so lucky and we need to do what we can to conserve our natural environments,” shares Ginny.
The Finders thrifting top tips
Look at the labels
“Look for clothing made in Australia, the USA or Europe,” says Bec. “Some 90s and Y2K gems are made in China, India and South America, but a lot of the best stuff was once made locally (before fast fashion became a thing). Supre, Chain Reaction, Sportsgirl and Country Road, for example, all began manufacturing in Australia.”
It’s also worth checking the materials. Natural fibres such as cotton and wool are often higher quality and will stand the test of time.
Make it a team effort
Local thrift shops aren’t the only place you can find secondhand gems. Let your friends and family know you’re open to checking out any clothes they might be donating. Clothing swaps are an easy and fun way to get a group of friends together and keep things social.
Anywhere goes
Don’t dismiss any opportunity, says Bec, no matter how unusual it might seem.
“Op shops, markets, garage and garden sales in small towns and rural areas tend to hold some of the best finds around,” she says. Even if they aren’t necessarily top of your list when you think “sustainable fashion”, they’re well worth checking out.
“And of course, check out The Finders whenever you’re in the area! We bring out at least 20 fresh pieces daily, so our stock is constantly changing.”
You can follow The Finders on Instagram @thefinders_.
Elaine is a freelance writer and psychologist-in-training, currently residing in Nipaluna (Hobart), Tasmania. She is fascinated by the ways we learn from our experiences to become more authentic versions of ourselves and the power of storytelling. You can find more of her words online at wordswithelaine.com
