Second Hand Magic

My vinyl collection is a pathetic one-fiftieth of what my brother's was at its peak but it continues to evolve. Heck, a day after Michael Jackson's death I picked up a copy of Off The Wall for $5 at the Rozelle Market.

I love my iPod but you can't replicate that sort of magic in a digital world.

I also love online shopping, a little too much if you ask Kate, but for all its choice and convenience it can't match the real world fun of hunting for great second-hand children's shoes.

I should know.

Austin and I discovered a pre-loved kids clothing shop a few weeks ago on our first venture to the far side of Victoria Road. Always worth a look, I figured, and it was. A Kathmandu fleece for $10 and a pair of London-style white Puma sneakers for just $5.

To put this in perspective, last weekend we bought the lad some Saucony runners for $39, down from $50. And at this age they don't exactly get a chance to break them in.

So yesterday we were back. Nike runners to fit now, Reeboks the next size up. Both $6, both looking like they could be brand new.

The Nikes, being grey, are a particularly fantastic purchase. His other shoes are white, blue and brown, so there was nothing that ideally covered the black and grey elements of his wardrobe.

Standards, please, he is British.

The question now: how soon before we go back? Sure, you have to let the stock rotate, but I'm also worried about being seen to exploit the situation. That said, it's privately owned, not a charity store, and at these prices people must be giving them product for free.

Also, I did give the heads-up to a couple of mums at playgroup. Word really should be getting around.

And I hope it does, because this is the at-home parent version of second hand vinyl. You walk past the store, you have to go in. You idle away half an hour flicking through the bins in the hope of finding something great. And, sometimes, when you do - magic.

We had the same thing in London. Once Austin was born we spent a lot of time in the nappy valley that is Wandsworth. At the southern end of its most famous street, Northcote Road, is a charity shop that stocks only kids clothing and toys. Being Wandsworth - the same is true for Balmain and Rozelle - this is generally top notch stuff.

Kate discovered that shop and thought I'd be miffed to come home and find that she'd dressed our son in pre-loved cords. She didn't get the LP thing, nor did she anticipate my joy at picking up an unworn (i.e. sticker still on) Levis denim jacket for just £5 on my first visit.

It won't fit Austin until he's three but, like Off The Wall, it's one of those things that just had to be bought. Forget the boogie, you can blame this on the magic.