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A curated guide to Melbourne’s best vintage stores

IMAGE VIA @REINAMELBOURNE/INSTAGRAM

WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL

 

The best spots in Melbourne for vintage clothing, furniture, accessories and more.

Melbourne is a city with many redeeming qualities. While we might be a little biased (Fashion Journal has been based in Naarm since 1991, after all), there’s no disputing the facts: excellent coffee, a thriving arts scene and some of the best vintage shopping in the country.


For more style inspiration, head to our Fashion section.


From vintage warehouses to archival designer boutiques, the city offers every opportunity to find the pre-loved piece of your dreams. Whether you’re into ’70s psychedelia, ’80s gaud or ’90s minimalism, Melbourne holds your vintage shop soulmate. Below, find a curated list of some of the best spots in town.

Martin Fella


Martin Fella is a vintage specialist in preloved designer bags, clothing and accessories. The shop’s collection is carefully curated by Mr Fella himself, who has a keen eye for classic men’s fashion. His store is regularly stocked with classic suits, dainty shoes and a stash of luxury designer handbags.

556 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne

@martinfella

Opera

 

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Nestled next to a laundrette on Carlton North’s Rathdowne Street, Opera is a vintage store stocking a mix of archival Junya Watanabe, Prada, Miu Miu, MFG and Vivienne Westwood (to name a few). Pieces move quickly and hero items are often posted on the Opera Instagram, so you can get an idea of what’s on offer before you head in-store.

308-310 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

@opera.opera.opera

American Rag

In its 30 years of operation, American Rag has grown to become the go-to destination for quality American vintage garments. An ode to its name, founder Eileen Carney is an American-born Australian known for her exquisite knowledge of vintage fashion. All pieces are hand-picked at its QV and Southgate stores.

15-17 QV Terrace, Melbourne

americanragmelbourne.com

Out of the Closet (OTC Vintage)

You might’ve seen OTC Vintage across the road from Flinders Street Station, with its dark staircases, walls lined with music posters from the ’70s, and music blaring from its speakers. For over 20 years, OTC has been slinging Melburnians vintage goods from every era, with a second location on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy.

238B, Flinders Street, Melbourne

otcvintage.com.au

Shag

 

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A magical treasure trove of unique costume pieces and vintage gems, you never know what to expect when you walk into Shag. Spread out over its Windsor, Melbourne CBD and Collingwood stores, Shag is a purveyor of wacky items, attracting buyers from film and television industries as well as individuals with eclectic styles.

377 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

shagmelbourne.com

Lost and Found Market

 

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Located up a flight of stairs in the heart of Fitzroy, Lost and Found is a sprawling fleamarket comprised of stalls from vintage sellers across Melbourne. You can find all kinds of clothing, accessories and bric-a-brac from decades past, like frilly ’50s swimsuits, patchwork ’60s denim and silk slipdresses from the mid-’90s. Expect to lose a few hours exploring the marker’s expansive offering.

288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

lostandfoundmarket.com.au

Vintage Sole

When you walk into one of Vintage Sole’s two locations (in the CBD and Fitzroy), you’ll be met with an onslaught of colour. Tie-dye tees, retro pop culture sweatshirts and patterned button-ups greet you upon entry. From its 2005 beginnings, Vintage Sole has consolidated its status as a vintage haven for Melburnians.

6/37 Swanston Street, Melbourne

vintagesole.com.au

Reina Melbourne

 

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Tucked away in the Nicholson building, Reina specialises in archival designer clothing, with a focus on European and Japanese designers. Browse the minimalistic, curated boutique for pieces from brands like Prada, Bottega Veneta, Celine, YSL and Miu Miu.

Level 1, 37 Swanston Street, The Nicholas Building

Retropolis

With over 40 vendors selling vintage treasures, Retropolis feels more like stepping into an eccentric aunt’s home than a secondhand store. The sprawling space is best wandered through over a couple of hours, giving you time to trawl the clothing, furniture, accessories and collectibles. Come prepared.

1 Newman Street, Preston

retropolis.com.au

Yesteryear Vintage

Yesteryear Vintage offers a premium selection of vintage clothing and accessories sourced from around the world. If you’re after high-quality Italian and French vintage clothing (including incredible swimwear) then this is the place to head.

34 Hope Street, Brunswick

yesteryearvintage.com.au

Retrostar

Retrostar is synonymous with Melbourne’s vintage scene. For almost two decades now, Retrostar has been supplying the town with its massive selection of preloved goods, with an unmatched array of womenswear, menswear, accessories, sportswear and more. Keep an eye out for its famous warehouse sales too.

Nicholas Building, First Floor, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne 

retrostar.com.au

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