A curated list of the best consignment stores in Sydney
IMAGE VIA @_swop/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY JASMINE SHEPARD AND AUDREY DENIER
Vintage shopping and secondhand clothes with a little more bang for your buck.
‘Circular’ has evolved from fashion’s favourite unspecified buzzword to one of the industry’s leading sustainability initiatives. The selection of stores moving towards a circular model is rapidly expanding, making shopping for pre-loved goods accessible to a broader range of consumers.
While the industry jargon might sound confusing, the consignment concept is beautiful in its simplicity. The stores purchase handpicked secondhand pieces – either directly or on consignment – and resell the product in their stores.
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The consignment stores of today aren’t the uninviting, mothball-smelling underground bunkers our parents dragged us to. High-end online secondhand stores like Grailed, The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective are leaders in fashion retail, favoured for their highly curated, refined shopping experience.
And while Melbourne has long reigned supreme in the fashion department (as spoken by a true Melburnian), Sydney is also home to some of the best consignment stores in Australia. To help with your venture into the world of high-end secondhand shopping, we’ve compiled a list of the city’s best spots (never fear, interstate shoppers – online purchases are always available).
The Sleeveless Society
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The Sleeveless Society’s Waverley store features a mix of vintage pickings alongside current, pre-loved designer fashion. Its focus is on helping you express your own sense of style through a mix of modern pieces and timeless staples that will stay in your wardrobe for years to come. Find new faves in the curated collection which focuses on season, condition and relevance. You can also opt to purchase through the online store.
The Frock Exchange
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The Frock Exchange lives up to its name, with a curated collection of eye-catching dresses that can be shopped via Instagram, online and in-store. The store also offers a wide range of feminine, designer apparel and accessories, all carefully selected by sisters Wendy Murray and Bee Smith. Head in-store for pieces from brands like Acne Studios, Margiela, Isabel Marant and more.
Di Nuovo
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With a speciality in luxury womenswear, Di Nuovo delivers pre-loved designer pieces with new items arriving daily. Its collection features fun, feminine clothing shapes in both modern and classic styles. Step into the friendly boutique in Paddington, or order some pieces online at your own convenience.
Blue Spinach
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As one of Australia’s leading destinations for secondhand luxury goods, Blue Spinach has become synonymous with quality customer service. Consignors can earn up to 80 per cent of the selling price for their item (yes please) with all the trading and marketing costs covered. The Redfern-based store targets high-end international labels from Balenciaga to Versace, as well as catering to both women and men.
Swop
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Join the circular fashion economy with the Newtown-based Swop Clothing Exchange. Swop offers an expertly curated collection of pre-loved designer and vintage clothing on a consignment basis. With additional storefronts located in Brisbane and Melbourne and regular IG sale stories, you can browse freely in lockdown or interstate. Stocking labels like Bassike, Alexander Wang and Comme des Garçons, Swop is the cool-girl consignment destination.
Trading In Style
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Randwick-based designer consignment store Trading in Style is the brainchild of Bianca Picherit and Jenna Isaacman. Championing the concept of a timeless capsule wardrobe, the duo stocks a small selection of high-end and local Australian designers. Find unique pieces for your wardrobe at a fraction of the retail price.
Pelle
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According to Carrie Bradshaw, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes. Luckily for us, Sydney-based consignment store Pelle wholeheartedly agrees. Stocking a colourful range of shoes, bags and accessories, a Pelle purchase is good for the soul (and the wallet, consignors).
This story was originally published on November 6, 2023.
Read more about the future of sustainable fashion here.
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