Stepping into Liebe Fashion Gallery in Hindmarsh, you can understand why there is so much hype around vintage fashion.

Garments with sequins, lace and puffy sleeves hang from overfilled racks and walls. Beautiful suede lounges and old wooden chests and tables are placed around the store, and if you’re lucky enough, you might be greeted by a bounding labradoodle – call him Jack – who will become your new best friend.

Liebe is owned by vintage expert and stylist Cassandra Liebeknecht, director of the Adelaide Vintage Expo. She is also hosting the Op Shop Stylist Tours during the Adelaide Fashion Festival, which runs from October 18-26.

Some of the range at Liebe Fashion Gallery in Hindmarsh. Photo: Nat Rogers / InDaily

Liebeknecht says the key to being a savvy vintage and op shopper is to always have a plan.

“There’s no point in going without knowing what you’re wanting.

“I always, within my wardrobe, do my dressing on a Sunday; I sort of plan my week. If there’s something that I’m missing, like if I want a navy sweater or I don’t have a navy blazer and really want one of those, I have a little list so then when I do go to the op shop I’m constantly looking at what’s on my list.”

She says one of the advantages of vintage shopping is that most items will be a one-off.

“Usually it’s a really unique piece, so you don’t look like everyone else. And I like that; I like having something that’s different.”

However, Liebeknecht stresses the importance of avoiding impulse buying and not purchasing something just because it’s vintage. It also needs to look good and be the right fit and colour.

Photo: Nat Rogers / InDaily

Her love for vintage came from her grandmother.

“My Nan used to work at Goodwill, so I’ve been around op shops since I was four years old and have learnt that op shopping is great for picking up key items that are on-trend for a fraction of the price.”

She hopes that hosting the op shop tours – the first one is this Saturday (October 19) in Norwood, with the second on October 26 – will give her the opportunity to share her tips and tricks for op-shopping success.

Liebeknecht will act as a personal stylist for the tour groups, teaching people how to perfectly accessorise an outfit and offering information about fashion from different eras.

After meeting at Norwood’s Town Hall, guests will be taken to four of Adelaide’s best op shops in four hours. The tour ends with a high tea at My Friend Louis, a new boutique café on Magill Road.

Liebeknecht recommends wearing flats “because we will literally be shopping till we’ve dropped – bliss”.

The Adelaide Fashion Festival is running a number of other events throughout the Fashion Festival, including Variety on King William (a runway show and lunch), parades in Rundle Mall and Norwood, the TAFE SA Fashion Graduate Parade and the SA Fashion Designers Showcase.

More information on the Op Shop Stylist Tours and other events can be found on the Adelaide Fashion Festival’s official website.