Op-shop stylist: I MAKE WOMEN FEEL A MILLION DOLLARS
New Zealand Woman's Weekly|June 14, 2021
RIDICULED FOR WEARING CAST-OFFS AS A KID, IT’S PAYING OFF NOW FOR THE SECOND-HAND ROSE
Leena Tailor
Op-shop stylist: I MAKE WOMEN FEEL A MILLION DOLLARS

Crafting Barbie outfits from chocolate wrappers or transforming stockings into dresses might sound like child’s play, but for Bree Thompson such creativity has weaved its way through her entire life. Yet it took an identity crisis, struggles fitting in at boarding school and many daunting mufti days before she fully realised how her love for repurposing items could help her grow confidence and embrace her body.

It then took a pandemic, life coach and journaling for the 28-year-old Kiwi to turn that passion into a dream career.

Bree’s now found her calling, helping women overcome style, wardrobe or body-image challenges through her knack for op-shop styling and reimagining clothing.

It’s a skillset she developed as a child, rummaging around her Warkworth home or art classes for fabrics to tie or staple into outfits she’d later model for her parents and three older brothers.

“I created dolls’ clothes from lolly wrappers and dressed up wooden pegs in outfits made from chocolate wrappers,” she recalls. “And I was always in my mum and nana’s closets, trying on clothes.”

By her teens, savvy Bree was an avid op shopper. She slit armholes into one oversized skirt to wear as a frock. But her confidence was rattled while adjusting to an all-female boarding school, where she self-consciously turned up to mufti days feeling out of place for not wearing designer labels.

This story is from the June 14, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 14, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND WOMAN'S WEEKLYView All
The perfect GETAWAY
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

The perfect GETAWAY

From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Message in a BOTTLE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Message in a BOTTLE

Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Empowered & thriving!  PERFECT AT ANY AGE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE

Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE

From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT

The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD

After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART

After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро

It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART

The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB

The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024