Where to shop in Sydney: Our favourite brick-and-mortar boutiques
IMAGE VIA @a_home_for_niamh_galea/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MAEVE KERR-CROWLEY AND FASHION JOURNAL
Your guide to Sydney shopping, IRL.
Sure, placing online orders at 1am with a glass of wine in your hand is some of the best fun the 21st century has to offer, but sometimes you just want to return to your roots. Hitting the shops IRL – when you know where to go – is a tactile and rewarding process. Endlessly scrolling 2D images on a screen, not so much.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
For the more discerning shopper, there are plenty of beautifully curated boutiques throughout Sydney. We’ve gathered some of our favourites below to guide for your next post-payday outing.
Chinatown Country Club
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Setting out to do what it says on the box, Chinatown Country Club combines the exclusive feeling of country clubs with the warm community vibe of Chinatown. The concept store heroes brands like Kijun, J. Kim, LCDC and others that celebrate a merging of cultures, and contribute a portion of its proceeds to a number of community-focused organisations, businesses and initiatives.
222 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD
Parlour X
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Inside a 200 year old church in Paddington lies Parlour X, one of Australia’s leading luxury and contemporary fashion boutiques. With an exceptionally curated offering from brands including Vivienne Westwood, Balenciaga, Mugler and Jacquemus, Parlour X is the multi-brand destination for unique pieces that’ll make you feel exquisite.
261 Oxford Street, Paddington
Incu
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Gathering all the best designer and cult-favourite brands in one place, Sydney’s Incu store offers a down-to-earth luxury shopping experience that makes every trip feel like a treat. Browse the racks at your leisure and try on the newest styles from Paloma Wool, Acne Studios, Ganni, Jacquemus and more.
Shop 19, 20/500 George Street, Sydney
Sorry Thanks I Love You
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First founded in 2013, Sorry Thanks I Love You is a concept space in Sydney, blending fashion, design, coffee, sound, art and in-person events. Find designer labels, including Acne Studios, Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, Comme Des Garçons and more.
The Olympia, 1 Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney
P.A.M. Store
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Alongside its Melbourne store, luxury Australian lifestyle brand P.A.M. has a multi-brand retail space in Darlinghurst. Stocking brands like Ashley Williams, Marc Jacobs Heaven, Eckhaus Latta, Stray Rats and more, the store offers a curated selection of locally-made and international designer pieces.
304 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst
Song for the Mute
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Founded in 2010, Song for the Mute is an Australian fashion label merging contemporary streetwear with elevated tailoring. Alongside flagships in Melbourne and China, its Sydney store houses the brand’s full collection.
350 George Street, Sydney
So Familia
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Marrying the old and the new in an aesthetic little mixing pot, So Familia stocks a curated range of vintage clothing, independent Australian labels and everything Y2K. That includes upcycled tracksuits from Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp, glittery gems from Dyspnea, the best bits and pieces from Flex Factory and more.
428 King Street, Newtown
Alix Higgins
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Alix Higgins fans rejoice, because you can now visit the Sydney-based designers studio. Open from Thursday to Saturday, the apartment-style space features an assortment of pieces available to try IRL.
Level 5, 647-649 George Street, Chinatown, Sydney
Above The Clouds
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Above The Clouds is a streetwear haven, featuring walls lined with sneakers and racks full of exciting everyday fashion. You’ll find classics like Converse, Nike, Vans and Levi’s, as well as sought-after brands like By Parra, Lazy Oaf and Butter Goods.
Shop 8, 285a Crown Street, Surry Hills
Big Trouble Store
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With a focus on vintage pieces, Japanese denim and American streetwear, Big Trouble is all about high-quality garments and rare finds. Big Trouble sells androgynous clothing and accessories from brands like Needles, Westhill, Battenwear, Karhu and more.
Shop 3/133, Goulburn Street
Tuchuzy
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Located in the heart of Bondi Beach, Tuchuzy is a hub for the best of the best. International heavy hitters like Helmut Lang and Missoni sit alongside local favourites including Bassike, Sir and the store’s in-house brand Chosen the Label, creating a convenient mecca of fashion and accessories.
Shop 11, 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
NOLM
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NOLM stands for ‘no one like me’, which is what the store is all about. It’s easy to build an individual sense of style with contemporary brands like Rokh, Helmut Lang, Prototypes and Namacheko at your fingertips. As well as fashion, NOLM is packed with weird and whacky accessories to take your looks to the next level.
26 Abercrombie St, Chippendale
Niamh Galea
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Formerly RTTS.land, this space is now dedicated to Niamh Galea’s eponymous label. Find the full collection available to try on in-store, as well as select pop ups.
Irreplaceable Store
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Visited by Zendaya last year, Irreplaceable Store sells an extensive range of vintage clothing, streetwear, sneakers and accessories. Stocking brands including Carhartt, Dickies, Levi’s and Nike, Irreplaceable Store offers staple pieces to help build your new capsule wardrobe.
475 King Street, Newtown
The Standard Store
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For a taste of international fashion, hit up The Standard Store. Travelling the world to source labels and styles you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, the store offers aesthetically pleasing pieces that range from holy grail basics to head-turning statement makers.
431 Crown Street, Surry Hills
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