In a world dominated by fast fashion, where trends and “must haves” change weekly, not seasonally, second-hand or opportunity (op) shopping has become the go-to for many. 

Cambridge is fast becoming a leader in the movement of slow fashion and second-hand shops. 

Chain charity op shops like Hospice, SPCA Op Shop and the Salvation Army Family Store are in town, as well as independent stores like Mint, a consignment store in Victoria Street, selling pre-loved clothing as well as handmade jewellery and other crafts. 

There’s also New Lives Animal Rescue Store, Jumble Around, Busy Bees, The Collective Empire, and the Lions Shed on Vogel Street, not to mention a number of antique stores in town. 

Whether you are furnishing a new house or flat, looking for great value clothing to fit your individual style, wanting to reduce waste, hunting for a vintage collectible, watching your pennies or wanting to support a circular economy, there’s something here for everyone. 

“I come from a conscious house, we repair what is broken and give it another life,” says local slow fashion fanatic, businesswoman and Cambridge resident, Aroha Croft. 

“The same principle applies for clothes.

“I received a lot of hand-me-downs as a child and now that I am older, I choose to purchase second-hand. It’s financially friendly, you can purchase outside the season and you can curate a quality wardrobe,” she says.

With the quality of the second-hand clothing stores in Cambridge, Aroha shares three rules of op-shopping that she abides to during her weekly visits to her three favourite stores, the Hospice Shop and Busy Bees in Cambridge and Jumble Around in Leamington. 

Her first tip is to shop for what you truly need instead of aimlessly browsing. This approach prevents you from grabbing items on a whim and accumulating unnecessary “stuff” just because they are a bargain. 

Secondly, ask yourself: Does this garment complement what I already own, and can I wear it in multiple ways? If the answer is “no,” then walk away. 

Finally, and most importantly, evaluate the quality of the garment. Is it well-made, or is it simply cheap, fast fashion that was never destined to stand the test of time?

For a list of stores and locations, visit Destination Cambridge at www.cambridge.co.nz