How to thrift like an expert
We ask our very stylish friend - and local thrifting extraordinaire - Paula Joyce to share her tips and outfit ideas from her very enviable wardrobe.
Sophie here to tell you all that I wanna be Paula Joyce when I grow up!!! There’s an issue here because we’re the same age, but you get me. I am so excited to share her with you all. Here I am, having spent the entire holidays wearing men’s Uniqlo pyjama shorts while Paula is over here serving. I often feel guilty about it - not making the effort with my wardrobe over the summer - but when the holidays hit, all my effs and jeffs swiftly fly out the window. You’d be lucky to catch me wearing shoes, let alone a bra. Add in the pregnancy factor, and this holiday season didn’t stand a chance against me and my old man briefs. Although I did wear my divine Friends With Frank Heath dress on Christmas Eve because I knew it wouldn’t fit me for long, however I was hoping ‘long’ would be more than the 1.5 hours it lasted till I could no longer breath (if you have an event coming up and you’re an 8-10, you’re welcome to loan!). All of this is a long-winded way of saying, you really don’t want to see what i’ve been wearing this summer. Hence, the outsourcing of inspiration.
Enter Paula Joyce. A Melbourne-based counsellor and psychosocial support worker with a background in fashion PR and journalism, so naturally her interest in fashion sits at the intersection of creativity and psychology — exploring how our clothing choices relate to self-perception and self-worth. Paula is a very good friend of a very good friend of ours. Annie and I have both been sort of parasocial friends with Paula via our good friend, via Instagram. I regularly harass Paula for outfit credits and, to my dismay, the answer usually involves something of the thrifting / vintage / international market ilk, making her style even more enviable. Her ability to pick treasure amongst trash is an unbelievable skill which she has honed over decades of thrift shopping. I’m tempted to use the word innate in here somewhere but I really do believe this skill can be cultivated with a bit of patience and practice — a lost art form in the current world of shopping. So, we’ve asked Paula to share her top tips for shopping vintage clothing online, further into the article.
My advice? Go in with a very clear idea of what you’re looking for, write these items down in your notes as they come to mind and revisit them. If you’re still thinking about this piece after a while, start your hunt. Online shopping is overwhelming so having a very clear idea of what item you’re looking for will keep the search results tailored and targeted. It takes patience but the results are rewarding, its likely far fewer people are going to have the item you’ve found. There’s a rush to finding something you really love after putting in the effort to find it. And these pieces are REAL. There’s something I’ve been feeling about my outfits and clothing recently.. Like they’re not real, or they’re too perfect? Or clean? I query this could be a result of being gifted pieces semi-regularly and while it is a lovely perk of what we do, it can remove some of the grit of personal style. That grit, Paula has oodles of.
Over to Paula ♥️ Thanks for being here with us.
Sophie. X
Paula Joyce
As the mum of a toddler, I don’t have much time to thoughtfully put outfits together or really feel out what I want to wear. There’s an interesting duality to how I dress day to day. Often, I’m dressed purely for functionality, in martial arts pants, an oversized men’s shirt and trench coat, zero makeup, with wet hair tucked under a cap. Other days, when I have a bit more time up my sleeve, my approach is far more considered: carefully selected pieces—usually pre-loved designer, vintage or thrifted finds. There’s something liberating in that versatility. I don’t feel pressure to be performative with what I wear, and when I’m time-poor, I find comfort in uniforms that are tried, tested and already chosen.
My partner and I have free rein over each other’s wardrobes. I’ll borrow his Dries suit, trench coats and graphic tees, and he’ll take my caps, tees and shirts. It adds another layer of versatility and playful experimentation that keeps things fun, even on the most low-key days.
When shopping, I focus on selecting pieces that work with my existing wardrobe (usually pre-loved) and pairing them with my staples: a good vintage graphic tee, my white Margiela Tabis, Fendi Oyster bag and oversized wraparound Miu Miu sunglasses.
I run a store on Depop (@thekillingmoon777) and treat my wardrobe as something that’s always evolving. If something isn’t being worn, I’ll sell it before bringing anything new in. It keeps everything curated and intentional, while creating space for pieces I’ll actually use.
I’m deeply interested in the psychology of fashion and how clothing impacts our moods, confidence and self-esteem. As a mum, I’m conscious of practicing positive body image and try to place the emphasis on fit and how clothes feel, rather than the size on the label. I know my daughter is absorbing all of this, so modelling a healthy, creative relationship with clothing feels like something meaningful I can pass on.
Last year, I spent four months in Europe with my family, taking style notes in every city we visited. I sourced vintage bridal and one-of-a-kind pieces from Italy, Paris and Spain—pieces that are now being restored in Australia ahead of an online store launch in 2026. This collection was my opportunity to curate for others the way I curate for myself, with care and intention.
My Pointers for Shopping Vintage & Pre-Loved Online
1. Choose your platform - Authenticated luxury consignment platforms like Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal are ideal for preloved investment pieces. Depop, a peer-to-peer resale app, works well for contemporary brands, vintage and some designer pieces (not vetted but buyer-protected). eBay and Facebook groups can also uncover hidden gems.
2. Be specific with your searches - Search by brand, fabric, cut, colour, era, location—even aesthetic or trend. The more targeted, the better your results.
3. Learn a few construction terms - Descriptors like bias-cut, spread collar, or flounced hem can help you uncover listings others miss. You don’t need to know everything—a basic familiarity will do.
4. Always measure, never trust size - Vintage sizing is unreliable. Compare listing measurements to your own, or a piece you love that fits. If measurements aren’t listed, ask. Sellers are usually happy to help.
5. Pay attention to fabric - Natural fibres generally wear and age better. Wool alone varies hugely—merino, cashmere, lambswool, mohair—each wear differently, require different care, and come at different price points.
6. Know your labels - Start with familiar labels, then expand. Some of my vintage go-tos are Prue Acton, Finlaw, Merivale (dresses); YSL and Jones New York (suits); London Fog and Baracuta (trench coats).
7. Read listings properly - Examine photos. Read descriptions carefully. Look for condition notes, signs of wear, or defects. If something’s unclear, ask.
8. Make reasonable offers - Test the waters if something’s been listed for a while. Offering slightly below asking price often works—worst case, they say no.
9. Know your gaps and make a list - Knowing what you’re looking for keeps you focused. This is equally valuable when thrifting in person and sorting through endless racks. Focus on what’s missing from your wardrobe, not what’s already covered.
10. Accept that it takes time - Some pieces take months or years to find. You’ll get faster with experience and better at trusting your instincts.
Here’s a week of outfits that show how this plays out in real life—the uniforms, the pre-loved finds, the borrowed pieces, all curated with whatever time I had that day.
Sunday
I'm meeting a friend for a wine (which will likely turn into many). I've borrowed my partner's Dries suit, clipping the fastener onto the belt loop to make it fit. I've toned it down with a vintage tee and flip flops from Sydney label Maria Farro, which keep the look grounded so it doesn't feel too formal.
SUIT: Dries Van Noten — an aussie iteration here
TEE: Vintage — try Depop or if you’re in Melbourne, American Rag and Lost & Found are great for vintage graphic tees. This one is too cute.
FLIP FLOPS: Maria Farro / Mera — $209
SUNGLASSES: Lexxola / Lulu — $400 (currently on Depop)
BAG: Miu Miu from Reina
RING: LIÉ STUDIO / The Victoria Ring — $165
Monday
I'm working in my support work role today, so I'm dressed for comfort but also keeping things versatile with layers as we're heading into the CBD and, well, Melbourne weather. I found these camo pants and this antique chemise slip at a flea market in Turin, and wearing them always takes me back to that trip. These are the kinds of pieces I gravitate towards when I have time to be more considered—pieces that carry memories and meaning.
TEE: Thrifted
CHEMISE: Turin flea market — why not try Etsy, or Posse
TROUSERS: Levi’s, from Turin flea market — Bassike option or an actual army pant for a similar slim leg look
FLIP FLOPS: Maria Farro / Mera — $209
BAG: Fendi (Vestiaire)
SUNGLASSES: Miu Miu (Depop)
Tuesday
I have the day off work today and I finally get to join my partner and daughter who are on holidays. My hair's a little sweaty from yoga, and we're rushing to squeeze in a pram nap, so I'm keeping it relaxed. There's something playful about the contrasting patterns and fabrics, and these obnoxious sunnies from Loewe cover everything and tie it all together. Even when I'm rushing, there's room for a little experimentation.
TOP: Junya Watanabe (Depop)
SKIRT: Prada (Depop)
FLATS: Margiela
BAG: Miu Miu from Reina
SUNGLASSES: Loewe
Wednesday
Back at work today, so I'm in my beloved martial arts pants and trench uniform. I started wearing these pants (in both black and white) years ago. I love the cut and how comfortable they are. Time for some new ones soon. Hoping I get lucky at Savers but they're easily available to purchase online too.
