#SECONDHANDSEPTEMBER INTERVIEW - WAYNE SIU
What started your passion for shopping secondhand?
I started shopping for secondhand because of my love of vintage clothing. My aesthetic and preference has just sort of naturally ended up being vintage orientated - which obviously lends to shopping secondhand.
What do you love about heading off on a treasure hunting mission?
There are two things I'd say that I love the most about going on a treasure hunting mission. Firstly (and naturally) is when you find that something special - that piece that makes your heart skip a beat. Sadly, I have to admit this is getting rarer and rarer these days. Which leads me to the second point - the promise of the hunt itself; you never know what you may stumble across - it is the possibility itself that is exciting! Schrodinger's vintage if you will.
What are some of your favourite pieces that you love discovering when secondhand shopping?
I tend to shop equally online and in brick and mortar these days, but my favourite piece that I found in person was a 30s two piece belt-back suit in a grey light flannel. Hen's teeth and a grail piece in the vintage menswear community. Plus it fitted me perfectly!
What's your best ever secondhand score?
It would be a New Zealand made 1920s three piece suit found for 30 dollars at an op shop!
I started shopping for secondhand because of my love of vintage clothing. My aesthetic and preference has just sort of naturally ended up being vintage orientated - which obviously lends to shopping secondhand.
What do you love about heading off on a treasure hunting mission?
There are two things I'd say that I love the most about going on a treasure hunting mission. Firstly (and naturally) is when you find that something special - that piece that makes your heart skip a beat. Sadly, I have to admit this is getting rarer and rarer these days. Which leads me to the second point - the promise of the hunt itself; you never know what you may stumble across - it is the possibility itself that is exciting! Schrodinger's vintage if you will.
What are some of your favourite pieces that you love discovering when secondhand shopping?
I tend to shop equally online and in brick and mortar these days, but my favourite piece that I found in person was a 30s two piece belt-back suit in a grey light flannel. Hen's teeth and a grail piece in the vintage menswear community. Plus it fitted me perfectly!
What's your best ever secondhand score?
It would be a New Zealand made 1920s three piece suit found for 30 dollars at an op shop!
What are your top three tips for shopping secondhand?
1. Learn as much about the things you are looking out for as much as possible. I have saved so much time in the wild by knowing what details to avoid - means more time going to different shops!
2. Make a day out of it; I like to go to a few shops at once to really get in the mood for hunting for vintage. It does take time to really find those special pieces out there. Plus, it can be cheap (depending how lucky your hunt is ;) ) way to spend a day out and about.
3. Don't be afraid to walk away. I think it's easier once you have more of an established collection/become more experienced, but I think it's important to learn your bottom lines when it comes to buying secondhand. Be it condition, fit (clothes), or time period. It really helped me in managing my interest and not get pulled in every direction!
What's the one item that got away? The one you missed out on that's haunted you ever since!
Hmm, I'd don't think there really hasn't been one piece that's haunted me per se. There's a few which I think 'it would've been nice to have gotten it' but I am generally happy with the decisions I made in buying/not buying.
What changes have you seen in stores and stock over your time as a secondhand shopper and what kind of secondhand store would you love to see in the future?
I've only been buying secondhand for about 5 years or so, so don't really have the knowledge on local stores as some more experienced people do. But when it comes to my own interests in vintage menswear, I have noticed a shift that the focus is now more on 80s' and on-wards. I can understand that this is what today's trends and market focuses on, but makes it harder for me to collect more 20s'-30s' pieces.
Would you be willing to share some of your favourite secondhand spots?
I like to visit Search and Destroy (now in Ponsonby!) and Vixen Vintage. Tango in Parnell also have a lovely curated store. Otherwise, it's op shops wherever I can find them!
What appeals to you about secondhand rather than new goods?
It would have to be aesthetics and quality for me. It may be survivor bias, but I find myself more drawn to older pieces. Secondly, I prefer secondhand because it avoids the wastes inherent in modern production cycles.
1. Learn as much about the things you are looking out for as much as possible. I have saved so much time in the wild by knowing what details to avoid - means more time going to different shops!
2. Make a day out of it; I like to go to a few shops at once to really get in the mood for hunting for vintage. It does take time to really find those special pieces out there. Plus, it can be cheap (depending how lucky your hunt is ;) ) way to spend a day out and about.
3. Don't be afraid to walk away. I think it's easier once you have more of an established collection/become more experienced, but I think it's important to learn your bottom lines when it comes to buying secondhand. Be it condition, fit (clothes), or time period. It really helped me in managing my interest and not get pulled in every direction!
What's the one item that got away? The one you missed out on that's haunted you ever since!
Hmm, I'd don't think there really hasn't been one piece that's haunted me per se. There's a few which I think 'it would've been nice to have gotten it' but I am generally happy with the decisions I made in buying/not buying.
What changes have you seen in stores and stock over your time as a secondhand shopper and what kind of secondhand store would you love to see in the future?
I've only been buying secondhand for about 5 years or so, so don't really have the knowledge on local stores as some more experienced people do. But when it comes to my own interests in vintage menswear, I have noticed a shift that the focus is now more on 80s' and on-wards. I can understand that this is what today's trends and market focuses on, but makes it harder for me to collect more 20s'-30s' pieces.
Would you be willing to share some of your favourite secondhand spots?
I like to visit Search and Destroy (now in Ponsonby!) and Vixen Vintage. Tango in Parnell also have a lovely curated store. Otherwise, it's op shops wherever I can find them!
What appeals to you about secondhand rather than new goods?
It would have to be aesthetics and quality for me. It may be survivor bias, but I find myself more drawn to older pieces. Secondly, I prefer secondhand because it avoids the wastes inherent in modern production cycles.
Overconsumption and mass production of new goods is a huge global issue, resulting in overflowing landfills, environmental degradation and modern slavery. Shopping secondhand is welcome alternative to this 'buy brand new then throwaway' culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
I fully support this. When it comes to vintage clothing (which is my focus) it is especially more pronounced. Fast fashion is one of the major contributors to waste and global greenhouse gas emissions. It is heartening to see more and more people are becoming aware of this and shop secondhand or local, sustainably produced labels.
Unfortunately prices of new goods are now so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand rather than buying new?
I think secondhand/vintage can be a better investment in the long term. The quality to price ratio is hard to beat even when compared to new goods. However, I think it is important that this may not be realistic for people who aren't as financially lucky as I am.
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people during #secondhandseptember
New isn't always better!
I fully support this. When it comes to vintage clothing (which is my focus) it is especially more pronounced. Fast fashion is one of the major contributors to waste and global greenhouse gas emissions. It is heartening to see more and more people are becoming aware of this and shop secondhand or local, sustainably produced labels.
Unfortunately prices of new goods are now so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand rather than buying new?
I think secondhand/vintage can be a better investment in the long term. The quality to price ratio is hard to beat even when compared to new goods. However, I think it is important that this may not be realistic for people who aren't as financially lucky as I am.
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people during #secondhandseptember
New isn't always better!
Wayne is a city planner by day and a vintage menswear enthusiast by night... and day. Drawn to the complexity, detailing and quality found in clothing of the past, he is particularly passionate about the ‘Golden Era’ of menswear – a period spanning the 1930s and ‘40s. You can find him suitably attired on Instagram @vintage.urbanist
Keen to find your own vintage treasure? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa!
Keen to find your own vintage treasure? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa!
