Fashion Journal’s guide to the best secondhand stores in Sydney
IMAGE VIA @_SWOP/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY HANNAH COHEN
Vintage, designer, well-loved? We’ve got it covered.
It’s a frosty morning, an oat latte is clutched between your hands. A scarf is tossed effortlessly around your neck, an empty tote bag swings off your arm; it’s op shop day.
You’ve never been more ready to hunt through racks upon racks of pre-loved pieces just waiting to be tried on in not-so-roomy changerooms, where you’ll dream of all the ways you could style your new finds. But there’s only one problem – you don’t know where to begin.
For more on the circular economy, head to our Pre-Loved section.
Well, consider your thrifting prayers answered. Below, we’ve put together a guide to some of our favourite secondhand spots in Sydney that are helping to extend the life of many a pre-loved garment.
U-turn Vintage
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Grounded in the belief that everyone deserves access to incredible pieces of clothing, U-turn Vintage is a treasure trove of affordable pre-loved items. From carefully selected vintage and secondhand clothes to accessories you couldn’t find anywhere else, U-turn has been the number one spot for a sustainable fashion fix since 2005. The franchises’ chain of stores can be found in some of Sydney’s most frequented metro areas.
686 Darling Street, Rozelle and multiple other locations
Salvos in Westleigh
You just can’t go past a really good Salvos. With a great range of clothing, brick-a-brack, trinkets, books and so much more, this Salvos is recommended by those who reside nearby, making it a must-visit if you’re in the area.
Shop 21 Westleigh Shopping Town, 4 Eucalyptus Dr, Westleigh
C’s Flash Back
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Originally getting its start at Glebe Markets (see below), C’s FlashBack is a haven for all things denim and vintage. Think overalls straight from the ’90s, a plethora of vintage graphic tees, bunches of retro button-downs and leather bomber jackets for you to sift through, archived merchandise from cult brands, plus so much more.
314 Crown St, Surry Hills
Glebe Markets
Known for its world-class range of clothes, shoes, home goods and accessories, Glebe Markets is a must-do Sydney staple for any secondhand lover. Set to the vibrant backdrop of live music, the hum of avid shoppers and the smell of delicious food, this market truly has something for everyone.
Corner of Derby Place and Glebe Pt. Rd, Glebe
Venla
Finland natives Minna and Satu missed the re-use and re-love culture of Helsinki, so they brought it to Sydney. With four rent-a-rack stores across the city (Mosman is the flagship), Venla offers a curated, quality second-hand shopping experience for the time-poor, with plenty of bargain designer garments.
658 Military Rd, Mosman
Swop Clothing Exchange
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Swop is a nationwide clothing exchange store that has a beautiful shopfront in Newtown, Sydney. The store is grounded in the sustainable values of a circular fashion economy and sources high-quality, pre-loved clothes from the local community to provide a great selection for all genders and bodies.
112 Enmore Rd, Newtown
Irreplaceable Store
Home to vintage sneakers and a selection of enviable secondhand streetwear pieces, Irreplaceable Store’s shopfront in the heart of Newtown is hard to miss – and for good reason. If you’re not intrigued by the consignment store’s great taste in pre-loved garments alone, it also has a friendly dog that greets you at the door. Heaven, if you ask me.
475 King Street, Newtown
Zoo Emporium
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Curators of bespoke designer staples and handpicked vintage pieces, Zoo Emporium has been supplying Sydney with a fabulous range of kooky, pre-loved outfits for over 30 years. Famous for its retro vibes and one-of-a-kind accessories, entering its store feels like a step back in time, in the best way possible.
180 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
The Restore
An unassuming treasure trove of much-loved high street brands sold at a fraction of the price, The Restore in Sydney’s Seven Hills has an incredible range of secondhand pieces that are just waiting to be snapped up. The op shop’s industrial-cool vibe, reasonable price tags and its huge selection of clothes arranged in order of size set the stage for a successful and fuss-free shopping trip.
154 Best Road, Seven Hills
Storeroom Vintage
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Offering a selection of authentic vintage pieces and upcycled garments, Storeroom Vintage is committed to giving ’90s and noughties fashion a second life. The store boasts a massive range of handpicked items from around the globe.
47 Enmore Road, Newtown
Potts Point Vintage
Specialising in eclectic vintage occasion wear, Potts Point Vintage oozes old-school, retro vibes. Stocking a wide selection of period pieces and accessories to boot, the vintage store caters to a range of styles.
2/8a Hughes St, Potts Point
The Frock Exchange
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Clovelly-based consignment store The Frock Exchange has been providing locals with secondhand gems for years. Working on a consignment basis, shoppers can find vintage Chanel, Chloe, Vivienne Westwood and Margiela among the racks. Each handpicked piece is available for purchase via Instagram or in-store. There’s also the option to shop by appointment, giving you free rein over new stock.
221 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly
Vinnies Paddington
An old faithful for locals in the know, Vinnies Paddington attracts many a designer donation from the homes of surrounding wealthy Eastern suburbs. Expect bargains but also expect it to get busy – it’s best to pop in early in the day, and frequently, to catch the new arrivals before someone else does.
292 Oxford St, Paddington
Revivre
Revivre provides sustainable alternatives to fast fashion with its selection of second-hand gems. With over 29 years worth of experience in authenticating recycled designer goods, each piece comes with a quality guarantee. Whether you’re looking to shop or consign, Revivre looks to give pre-owned luxury a deserving home.
Shop 4/49 Bay St, Double Bay
Trading in Style
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Randwick-based consignment store Trading in Style offers a curated selection of pieces from brands like Chanel, Prada, Bottega and Louis Vuitton. Each designer item has been hand-selected by store owners Jenna Isaacman and Bianca Picherit, who are committed to preserving the beauty of timeless pieces. Shop the duo’s daily edit via Instagram and find coveted items for a fraction of the original price.
207 Clovelly Rd, Randwick
Route 66
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Inspired by the North American highway it’s named after, Route 66 is home to Americana vintage pieces spanning cowboy boots and quality denim to western shirts and bolo ties. Established in 1983, the family business has become somewhat of a cultural institution over the decades, serving as one of Sydney’s best vintage stores for shopping Western wears.
Shop 2, 82-84 Enmore Rd, Newtown
Fabrique Vintage
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Be sure to set aside some time when you visit Fabrique Vintage, you won’t want to rush your way through these racks. Stocking a range of vintage pieces from Europe and the US, they’ve got a huge selection of fur coats, denim, leather, footwear, silk scarves, t-shirts and just about anything else you can think of.
127 Oxford St, Darlinghurst and 1 Wilson St, Newtown
The Wilde Merchant
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The Wilde Merchant is your go-to op shop for vintage band tees, workwear, denim and sweatshirts, including well-known brands like Carhartt, Levi’s, Dickies and Lee as well as rare decades-old pieces from across the globe. You can expect to find a good selection of American and Japanese pieces amongst the racks, too.
500 King St, Newtown
To learn more about the importance of the circular fashion economy, head here.
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