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Raid My Wardrobe

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How my wardrobe is 99% recycled preloved fashion

in Tips on 09/04/19

I was recently interviewed for ABC radio during National Op Shop Week (you can listen to it HERE) and was asked where did my love of buying second-hand come from. It began in op shops – as a child helping my mother and grandmother at the local Vinnies. It also could have been influenced by dumpster diving with my mum at the local tip oh those were the good old days before kerb side pick ups but that’s a story for another day!

You see before the idea of Raid My Wardrobe was ever conceived one of the best places to buy preloved fashion regardless of where you lived city or regional area was op shops! And it still is! I have so many amazing op shop finds.

100% second-hand outfit including shoes and glasses

These days I am very discerning about what I buy ’cause I could have a massive wardrobe but I choose to have less and learn how to mix and match more – something I can teach you too!

The secret to my 99% preloved wardrobe is to:

1.Make lists of what you want (or need to complete your outfits). Gather pictures of outfits or styles that you like and want to recreate.

Preloved distress denim jeans, sequence top and bike jacket

2. Clear out regularly what clothing is not serving you (not a once a year spring clean!) I’m talking every time you bring something ‘new’ home you take something out.

3. Shop op shops, markets and Raid My Wardrobe regularly not just twice a year when the date rolls around. Make second-hand shopping a habit. Find the local op shops in your area click the link for the list http://opshop.org/

Seriously this Boho dress was in the op shop throw out bin. I paid 50 cents for it.

Shopping op shops is a fun way to find what you need ’cause the shops these days are organised so beautifully and the shop keepers want to help you find what you are after!

The best part is discovering amazing local op shops in your area and meeting new people who love second-hand shopping as much as you do.

Whether you’re an avid op shopper or new to it we’d love you to join in the super fun we have each Saturday morning! Everyone helps each other find what they are looking for. Only 6 spots left on this Saturday’s tour. Nov 1 and Dec 3 tours are filling up fast. I’d love to meet you and spend a morning with you helping to get your fashion style sorted.

Rachel Prest on Email
Rachel Prest
Rachel Prest
Director & Founder at Raid My Wardrobe
Rachel Prest is founder of Raid My Wardrobe. In 2010, she founded a preloved fashion event for women to refresh, recycle and reinvent their wardrobes. She began this blog in 2016 as a way to inspire, educate and encourage her community with more sustainable ways of fashion shopping, styling and creating. When she's not doing a wardrobe makeover or planning the next event you'll find her down at the beach, hiking or mountain biking in the bush or hanging out with her friends and her kids. Rachel is based in Newcastle, Australia.

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It was our birthday yesterday! 12!!! Founded in 2 It was our birthday yesterday!  12!!! Founded in 2010 we have been around for a long time and will continue to bring our events and slow fashion styling to you. Winter - time to bring our the boots and fluffy warm clothes 😊
HAPPY 2022! Wishing you all a new year full of e HAPPY 2022! 

Wishing you all a new year full of everything you're wishing for and more. May your 2022 be bright, may you move through any challenges with ease and grace and may you be open to all the opportunities, fun and adventures that come your way. We look forward to you being a part of the Raid My Wardrobe community this year. 

Thank you for continuing to support us and hang in there 🙏 the past two years. 

We don't know what 2022 holds but will keep you all in the loop. There is one thing for sure I'm so hanging to get some 'new'  loved clothes in my wardrobe that's for sure. 

Hang in there we'll be raiding wardrobes sometime soon. 

Rachel
2021 EVENT UPDATE - Thank you for your patience an 2021 EVENT UPDATE - Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time as we negated lockdown for the past few months and all the challenges (and opportunities) it has brought.

It's not easy being a small business owner at the moment during these difficult economic times especially in the events/entertainment industry where we have barely got off the ground in like 18 months. And then to try and get our head around the ever constant changes with regulations, rules, restrictions :/ 

Which brings me to our next event scheduled for October 24. With the current vibe of great uncertainty coming up in the months ahead as business begins to re-open and being so close to Christmas, I've made the difficult decision to move all Raid My Wardrobe events to 2022.

Raid My Wardrobe has always been an inclusive event and as such we wish to host an event at a time that is inclusive of everyone attending and participating without discrimination or segregation. 

All October 24 Stallholders please see separate email with regards to your refunds. 

Thank you to each and everyone one of you for your continued support, patience and understanding.

Until next year, take care of yourself and your loved ones, check in with each other and get out and enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and salt water. 

Much love to you all 

Rachel x
NEW DATE & NEW VENUE SOON TO BE ANNOUCED! Thank yo NEW DATE & NEW VENUE SOON TO BE ANNOUCED! Thank you to everyone for your patience as we have navigated Covid, restrictions  on large in person events and now our venue of 10 years no longer able to accommodate us. It has been a very trying 14 months and locating another suitable and affordable venue has been extremely challenging. We believe that we are very close to securing a new venue for Raid My Wardrobe and just have to confirm a few more things. Rest assured we are coming back in some capacity one way or another and you our beautiful community will be the first to know. To get the announcement of new date and stallholder bookings straight to your inbox make sure that you are subscribed to www.raidmywardrobe.com.au/subscribe 
I look forward to seeing you all again soon and raiding your wardrobes cause my wardrobe is so in need of some beautiful new clothes. 
Much love 
Rachel Prest xo
Refashion tip #101When there's a heatwave and you' Refashion tip #101When there's a heatwave and you're off to a party and you want to wear a light comfortable loose fitting top that you don't own....you create one out of one of your scarves. 
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WHY I HAVE BEEN SO QUIET LATELY... I wanted to jum WHY I HAVE BEEN SO QUIET LATELY...
I wanted to jump in and check in with you! Firstly, apologies for not being in touch for a while. I've been very quiet lately for a number of reasons -  all of them good :) 
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I'm a very sensitive and reflective person and these past few months with all that has been unfolding in the world have been particular interesting for me and all of us really. 
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While Raid My Wardrobe has been on pause due to circumstances out of our control :( ......other doors magically opened up for me. It started slowly at first a few hours here and there, a contract to help set-up a new business, some on-going support and now after 2 months I'm totally in it - Business Manager of an brick and mortar and online indoor plant store - @lovemyplants101 with my partner. 
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If you'd told me back in February that I'd be working in the indoor plant industry I would have laughed in your face and said, 'You must have me mistaken with another'. Now as I communicate this with you I pinch myself at how truly amazing and exciting things have been for me over the past few months. 
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So, I've been quiet for good reason.....I've been sooo busy!! To go from idea to fully fledged operating shop in the space of about 4 weeks has been one exciting ride. To use all my 10 years experience from creating and operating Raid My Wardrobe in helping another with their vision and dream has been inspiring and completely fulfilling for me. I love trouble shooting and problem solving, learning new things, stretching my brain, being challenged and finding more efficient ways to do things. I also love being of service to people and surrounded by nature. Pronouncing the plant botanical names though I'm still nailing that one ;)
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Some of you I have already run into and you have recognised me in your part of the woods - East Maitland. And I have a special offer for you when you scroll down, as I'd love you to come in and say 'hi' and add some cleansing, greenery to your home.
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You might be asking - What does this mean for Raid My Wardrobe?? Continued in the comments.
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