Secondhand Shopping Finds

Before I came to Vanuatu, lots of previously-serving PCVs told me and my fellow trainees that we'd be able to buy clothes in Vanuatu. What kinds of clothes, though? Would they be expensive? Would they be island dresses only?

Well, after exploring the secondhand shopping options of Port Vila and Luganville, I'm happy to report there are plenty of western clothing options available at a fair price. Also, you will discover as a PCV, there is a "free bin" in our office in which other volunteers dump clothing/housewares they no longer want or need. FREE SHOPPING! Last week I got some essential oils, a packet of instant mashed potatoes, and a bikini top in there, and it was pretty awesome.

Many of my finds, with some exceptions, are site-ready, as in, they are modest and the skirts hit at/below the knee. In Vila and Luganville, you can be a little more "scandalous" with your clothing, as there are many tourists frequenting those cities.

As a tip, I would recommend that before you depart the USA, you host a "clothing swap" party. Have your friends gather and bring clothes they no longer want/need. I scored a lot of my site-ready clothes by doing this, and the best part is that it was a great way to say farewell to friends as well as shop for free.

Check out my discoveries below (click photos to enlarge)!

(And psst...Vanna also did a post on her thrift store finds, so be sure to check that out, too!)

Site-Ready Finds

This whole outfit is great for a sweaty day. My school's dress code allows me to wear tank tops, but some other volunteers may have more conservative rules. The skirt is great because it's elastic. It'll fit whether you're fatfat (fat) or punpun (skinny)!

Item: Grey sports bra
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

Item: Grey cotton tank top
Price: 300 vt
Store/City: Stret Price, downtown Port Vila

Item: Striped cotton skirt
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

At Reconnect training, Devon's counterpart whispered to him that I looked "smart" in this outfit. This skirt is by far one of my most favorite skirts of all time. I LOVE BRIGHT COLORS. Also, because the skirt isn't an absorbent material, it's great for sitting on boat benches that are soaking wet from rain! Bonus!!!

Item: Pink cotton t-shirt
Price: 300 vt
Store/City: Stanley Imports, Port Vila

Item: Orange polyester skirt
Price: 400 vt
Store/City: Stanley Imports, Port Vila

I just found this dress on my recent trip to Luganville. It makes me feel like a storybook Disney princess. I added the ribbon because I almost had an unfortunate flashing moment at the airport when a gust of wind threatened to open up the front of the dress. Ribbon=security from public nudity.

Item: Teal cotton wrap dress
Price: 300 vt
Store/City: Stret Price, Luganville

This was one of my first secondhand purchases, and I think there must have been slim pickin's at Stret Price. The fabric is opaque enough that undergarments don't show through, and it looks very professional, so while I'm not a huge fan of this dress, it works for its purpose (extra school clothes). Oh, and it has pockets!!!

Item: White striped cotton dress
Price: 300 vt
Store/City: Stret Price, downtown Port Vila

The shirt was a random free bin find that is a workout shirt, a Vila-appropriate shirt, or a sleep shirt. These leggings are great for working out, but you'll find as a volunteer that having athletic leggings of some sort to wear under shorter dresses makes the dresses village-appropriate. Good athletic leggings (in your size, no less) are hard to find in Vanuatu, so I was very lucky to come upon these in Luganville.

Item: Cropped polyester blue top
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

Item: Black nylon athletic pants
Price: 600 vt
Store/City: Stret Price, Luganville

This was another "first" thrift store find. I like that it's super thin so it's nice for a breezy day. It's part candy striper, part [insert John Hughes movie here].

Item: Pastel and white cotton striped 80s dress
Price: 300 vt
Store/City: Stret Price, downtown Port Vila

This is a fabulous find that I got in the free bin. It's hard to tell in the picture, but it has black, neon orange, and yellow spots. It has cute buttons on the back and while it is a tank top, it's professional enough for me to feel comfortable wearing it to school.

Item: Spotted polyester tank top
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

You can never have enough basic t-shirts.

Item: Orange cotton v-neck shirt
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

Me: "Is this a men's shirt?" Katie: "Maybe...but I wore it."

Item: Pink woven cotton button-down shirt
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

Again...never enough shirts.

Item: Grey cotton/poly blend t-shirt
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

While it is hot, you get used to the heat so when it drops below 78*F you want extra layers. Introducing this BRAND NEW Target brand top I scored secondhand. It even had the tags on it! And it's brightly-colored so of course I love it. It will never live up to Taylor's plaid flannel shirt, though.

Item: Hot pink button-down cotton plaid shirt
Price: 400 vt
Store/City: Stret Price near Au Bon Numbatu, Port Vila

As I mentioned above, sometimes you want a warmer layer. Enter this woven peasant top, lightweight and fashionable.

Item: Blue floral woven rayon peasant top
Price: 200vt
Store/City: Stret Price, Luganville

This dress is long enough to wear at site, but the back is more open, so I'd probably wear a tank top or camisole underneath. Also, I bring this to Vila and it's like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants...it fits/looks great on everyone so Annalisa and Colleen and I have all worn it on separate occasions on nights out.

Item: Blue rayon peasant dress with drawstring waist
Price: 400vt
Store/City: Stret Price near Au Bon Numbatu, Port Vila

City-Ready Finds (A bit more scandalous, and therefore not village-appropriate)

This sexy halter dress isn't something I would ever wear in my village, but it's a lightweight and fun dress to wear out in Port Vila. It screams "I own a yacht and was sipping really fancy champagne earlier."

Item: Polyester jungle-print dress
Price: 400vt
Store/City: Stret Price, downtown Port Vila

This cute dress is perfect for the heat, but a little too short to wear at site. The front is modest and the open back isn't too revealing.

Item: Open-back orange rayon dress
Price: Free!
Store/City: Free bin, resource room, Port Vila

This dress was priced as a shirt because it is a bit short. The back is a bit too open to wear in the village, and I always wear it with shorts or pants around Vila.

Item: Polyester floral trapeze dress
Price: 300 vt
Store/City: Stanley Imports, Port Vila