Op shops in Melbourne are as common as sleeve tatts on baristas. But Swop is a little different to your standard Salvos or Vinnies. The store styles itself as a clothing exchange, a place where you can buy great-quality, fashionable second-hand clothes as well as drop off clothes for cash or Swop store credit.
So far it sounds basically the same as an op shop, right? The difference is that the stock in Swop is curated – you can’t drop off any old clothing (take that to your regular op shop). Swop only accepts vintage and current season items that are in good condition and (most importantly) not fast fashion. Unlike some second-hand boutiques where you have to wait for the clothes to sell to get paid, Swop will reimburse you on the spot (keep in mind the store will only buy items between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday).
All clothes and accessories in Swop come from community donations, and the store strives to stock an inclusive range of sizes. Even better, Melbourne’s Swop store in Collingwood (find it on Smith Street) is a bright, breezy timber-floored space with a gentle 1970s aesthetic. Stylish and sustainable.
