Helloooo Bag Lady

Picture from: http://hurleysashimi.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/grannies.gif (initially taken from BANKSY- check out what these funky grannies are knitting!)

I get that op-shopping is hip and cool and sustainable and all that jazz, I myself enjoy the odd hunt for the moth-balled treasure, what I do not enjoy however are the shameless op-shopping creations rendered acceptable for public viewing that cause me to wonder why Nana's wardrobe decided to up and vom all over you.

One cannot simply grab any mixture of garments, put them on, check the mirror and go "Do I look like the lead character in a bad Eastern European thriller?", proudly (and disturbingly) answer yourself "Yes" and then stroll out the door with all your misplaced bargain hunting confidence.  Just because it is old, second hand, vintage, used, retro or whatever (insert euphemism for 'plain old crap' here) does not mean it will look good. 

Like most things, the bargain hunting life is a double edged sword.  Some op-shopping can be wonderful- finding old dresses in pretty prints or cool blazers from the 80's, but not everything will suit everyone and the rule of not dressing head to toe in one look is something that proves handy in such situations.  For example you can wear your vintage blazer with new jeans or a 50's dress and petticoat to a party but one should not seek to integrate every item that you have EVER bought from an op-shop into one ensemble as a public testament to your op-shopping prowess.  Generally you don't look as effortlessly dishevelled as you might think, you just look homeless.  When your friends cast a puzzled grimace at your approach or offer comments like "That's an interesting top", read: you look like a grade A freak show.

Give the treasures of the past their deserved re-introduction into hip society- wear them tastefully and uniquely with care.  Do not master some kind of multi-faceted offensive against the public's eyesight.  Remember- Nana's are cool, don't send their quaint twin sets and tweed into hideous oblivion because of some over-zealous attempt to stand out from the crowd.

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