Holly Edwards

Listen up, thrifty folk – if you’re on the hunt for the best op shops in Sydney, look no further.  If you're feeling overwhelmed by the rising cost of living and growing climate anxiety, shopping second-hand is an excellent solution. Affordable, fresh and always surprising, op shopping is better for your wallet, better for the Earth, and (often) better for your style.  That said, it can be tough to decipher which op shops in Sydney are worth the trip and which are best to skip. Between just Salvos and Vinnies alone, there are more than a thousand stores across the country, and with one or the other on most high streets, it can be hard to know where to start.  Whether you're coming from the north, south, east or west, we have you covered with our comprehensive guide to the best op shops in Sydney city that you may (or may not) have heard of. Picked by an expert shopper for their low prices and quality offerings, all of these second-hand stores are stacked with treasures. Whether you’re after vintage furniture, retro threads, or a whole wardrobe overhaul, peruse our pick of the ten best op shops that Sydney has to offer.  After all, as Peter Allen once sang, everything old is new again. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Stay thrifty with our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney right now, then celebrate with one of the best happy hours in the city.

Let's face it, love in this economy can be tricky. Generally, living in Sydney means that (unless you’re among the city's one per cent), taking your squeeze out on the town can lead you to consider auctioning off a kidney to cover the costs. To all you lovers out there whose weekly budget doesn't stretch to chartering a seaplane (or getting tipsy at one of the city's sexy underground bars), we hear you. That’s why we've put together an ultimate list of the best cheap and free dates available to boot-strapped lovers in the Emerald City – a list we compiled with love and care, testing out each option with romance in mind. Each of these options is guaranteed to set you back either nothing or next to nothing – save the cash and stock up on memories. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.These are the best camping sites near Sydney for a low-cost romantic escape, and these are our readers' top tips for saving money in the Harbour City. 

Attention: sartorial Sydneysiders. When it comes to shopping for clothes in this city, knowing where to start can be daunting. Malls aren’t for the faint-hearted, and browsing online is hit-or-miss, so to make life easier we’ve made you a list of the coolest shops on Sydney’s streets.  For gender, budget, and style inclusivity, these ten stores serve the best looks across diverse aesthetics, price points and suburbs around Sydney, with every shop hand-selected for its emphasis on sustainability, showcasing small designers and high quality products. You won’t find any shiny shopping malls here, but rather an emphasis on slow fashion, local makers and all-round ethical excellence, with each of these stores guaranteed to make you dress to impress.  So, whether you’re in the market for something cute to wear to a wedding, fresh work threads (we're talkin' smart and casual workplaces here) – or just simply want to elevate your wardrobe to new heights, we have you covered.  Want to keep treasure hunting? Head to one of Sydney's best markets.

A trip to UTURN Punchbowl is unlike any other op shopping experience. You’re welcomed by rows of racks as far as the eye can see, laden with denim, vintage sportswear, and high-street finds. Aside from the racks of second-hand, first-rate clothing, you’ll also find miscellaneous homewares, rugs, and ‘pay $10 per kilo’ bins.  The ideal op-shop stop for gender-neutral and menswear styles, UTURN has a huge variety of options for all folk. We have managed to find Uniqlo Flared Jeans for $10, a chic pink vase for $6, and a beaded bag for $5.  Their ‘pay per kilo’ bins are the perfect option for thrifty op shoppers who have an eye for potential, love to revamp, repair and get creative with their looks.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do in Sydney, travel inspo, food and more, straight to your inbox.  Keep shopping in a thrifty kinda way with our guide to the best op shops in Sydney.

When you’re done perusing the Markets at Glebe, and have grabbed a coffee from The Wedge, mosey on over to Vinnies Glebe.  Small in size, but big in star factor, this store has exceptional visual merchandising, and is packed with quality gems from vintage Ralph Lauren and Chanel Denim, to nostalgic Alannah Hill pieces.  With price points to suit all budgets, this Vinnies has stylish workwear options, chic ‘going-out’ pieces and quality knitwear. Our top finds have been a thick cotton vintage tee for 8 bucks, and a wool Ralph Lauren maxi skirt for just $50.  If you’re in need of a wedding guest outfit or formal frock, you can regularly find designer dresses, brand new with tags here – but all for a fraction of the cost.  Want more? Check out our big-time guide to the best Sydney op shops. 

The Wayside Chapel is a Sydney institution, providing services and support to Sydney’s homeless population for more than 50 years. On average, the charity provides over 320 meals and 45 changes of clothes to those in need (among other services). So, when you shop at the Wayside Op Shop you know you’re helping them create a better experience for those in need.  Exceptionally priced, Wayside has a $5 rack for shoppers on a budget. We’ve picked up a Uniqlo merino wool knit from this rack, while other items on offer include denim jackets and pre-loved tees.  With donations from the Uber-chic residents of Potts Point and Kings Cross, we’ve spotted new Ugg Slippers for just $20 and a silk Sandro Dress for the wild sum of $120. Plus, an abundance of knee-high leather boots and other glam pieces that will ensure you’re the sartorial showstopper of the Inner East. If you’re a merch collector, or need a caffeine hit after traipsing through the store, you can head next door to the Wayside Chapel Low Cost Cafe where you can grab a coffee and some cute tees and totes for a good cause.  Want more? Here's our guide to the best op shops in Sydney.

Off the Great Western Freeway, this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Salvos is the place to go if you’re moving house. A true Mecca for thrifty Sydneysiders, Salvos Minchinbury is a one-stop-shop for all your home decor, furniture, clothing and accessory needs. The huge, warehouse-style store has dedicated the majority of their floor space to pre-loved furniture. You name it, they have it: couches, dining settings, bed frames, dressers, desks and even a family-size refrigerator are up for grabs. Plus, the clothing section is not to be overshadowed. Fashionistas can peruse vintage from all decades, however, for all Y2K fans, there were a whole lot of 2000s-esque factory seconds (including navy corsets and tie-dyed hotpants) up for grabs on our visit.  Whether your decor design style is funky or formal, Salvos Minchinbury has you covered – and all for a fraction of the original cost. What are you waiting for? Keep thrifty with our guide to the best cheap op shops in Sydney.  

It’s generally thought that op shops in affluent suburbs will provide the best designer goods, and Vinnies Mosman is no exception.  One of Sydney’s most well-heeled suburbs, it’s not surprising that the donations regularly include luxury finds, or quality fabrics. In our expeditions, we’ve stumbled across fur coats (both real and faux), 100 percent wool jumpers, a Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto dress, and brand new Elk Sandals for a ridiculous $15. Other items on offer include coloured glassware, accessories and men’s workwear.  However, what sets Vinnies Mosman aside from the rest, is the hub of op shops that surround it. Along the strip from Mosman to Neutral Bay, you’ll find three Lifelines (Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay) as well as a Red Cross and second Vinnies, so grab a coffee from Roastville, a baked good from Berkelo and make a day of it. Want more? Check out our list of the best op shops in Sydney. 

Truly a hidden gem, the PM Store is the best charity shop you’ve never heard of. The store sits at the very end of the suburb, where Dulwich Hill borders Ashfield and Hurlstone Park. On a strip with mostly vacant shop fronts and a McDonalds, you’d be forgiven for driving past without noticing PM.  However, once inside you’ll be met by trinkets galore; ornaments, textiles, furnishings and retro men’s and womenswear alike. Our top scores have included a Caroma stool for $8 and two kitsch beach towels for $10.  While you’re in the suburb, head to nearby cafe Outfield for an alfresco coffee or mosey over to Dulwich Hill’s main drag where you’ll be greeted by a row of the cutest cafes, and a quaint Vinnies that didn’t quite make the list, but is still worth a peek.

Whether you’re looking for kitchenware, vintage sewing patterns or an Oroton Dress that still has its tags attached, Vinnies Brookvale has you covered. Located behind Warringah Mall, the cavernous store has something for everyone.  A roomy, split-level space, you can easily spend an afternoon here perusing their pre-loved goods. A firm favourite among the budget-savvy, Vinnies Brookvale has the ideal mix of vintage, high-street and luxury. With donations from the folks of the Northern Beaches, you can expect to find a healthy dose of surf-shop goods, sundresses and denim.  Our top finds have included current season Zara pants and skirt for less than 20 bucks, a solid timber mirror for $30, and (last, but not least) a butter yellow Oroton dress for $60. Winning.  Want more? Check out our guide to the best op shops in Sydney.

Confirming that size isn’t everything, St Luke’s Church Shop is small but mighty.  Located just before the bustle of Enmore Road, St Luke’s is open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday, and is a quiet reprieve from the hectic main drag.  Full of glorious knick-knacks, we’ve come across some pretty special treasures here. Our top scores have included novelty ‘Aussie Dunny’ themed coasters for $6, a Jigsaw Tartan mini skirt for $8, a 90s-esque Vicky Vale velvet cami for $10 and a space-age ice bucket.  While you’re here, meander down to Reunion (once known as SWOP),  and then into Newtown for a whole lot of delights.  Want more? Check out our guide to the best op shops in Sydney. 

Vinnies Newtown is back and better than ever after receiving a much-needed facelift in late 2022. Perfectly curated, exceptionally clean and with a great array of men’s and womenswear alike, you’re unlikely to leave here empty-handed. The ideal spot for a Mardi Gras outfit, fun Christmas sweater or Halloween look, Vinnies Newtown has an epic window display for every occasion, and more options to pique your costume curiosity once you step foot inside. Our most recent visit provided an Acne-inspired drawstring poplin mini skirt for $25, while or all the shoppers on a slightly bigger budget, we spied Marithé & François Girbaud boots for $200. For reference, these beauties generally retail around the $1000 mark. Bargain. Keen to keep exploring? Check out our area guide to Newtown and then keep thrifting at one of the best op shops in Sydney