Shop Sustainably at the Best Vintage Stores in Brisbane

Ready for a fresh look but keen to keep it unique? Shopping at vintage clothing stores is the best way to update your sartorial style with rare and unique finds that will keep your friends guessing! If you’ve already scoured your favourite markets for fashion finds, it’s time to try somewhere new. From West End to Paddington and beyond, we’ve trawled Brisbane’s best vintage clothing stores, and have wrapped up the creme de la creme for you below.

Brik Market

Why visit just one vintage store when you can hit multiple at once? Brik Market is one of Brisbane’s best new vintage stores for Y2K fashion, unique one-offs and trendy accessories.

With multiple vintage vendors hosting individual stalls within the store, you can browse an eclectic mix of styles, fits and aesthetics.

It’s like shopping Depop in real life, but way more fun (and without the drama)!

2/72 Vulture Street, West End

ELC Vintage Clothing & Accessories

West End is one of our favourite shopping destinations for some of the best vintage stores, vegan eats and much more.

Take a stroll on Russell Street on a Friday or Saturday afternoon and you’ll discover ELC Vintage Clothing & Accessories wedged into a tiny tenancy, with beats pouring out of the speakers and true vintage pieces crammed onto racks for you to sift through.

This is the perfect place to find unique pieces that will be the envy of all of your friends. 

46 Russell Street, West End

Barbarella's Vintage

If all the stars align, you might stumble across this tiny secret vintage store hidden away in Paddington. One of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets in the vintage store scene, Barbarella’s Vintage is tucked away under an old Queenslander and only operates Thursday to Sunday. Keep your eyes peeled for the sign on the footpath, then take the stairs down the side of the cottage to explore the shop. Search through the racks of vintage pieces for any gender, or hunt down classic vinyl records, games, toys or decor to discover an exceptional new item for your collection.

116 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington

SWOP Clothing Exchange

Known as the go-to spot for second-hand high-street fashion and quality vintage wares, SWOP operates as your one-stop shop for buying and selling clothing. With quite strict guidelines on items that they offer in-store (based on quality, brand name, seasonality and trends), you know that when you shop at SWOP you are getting top-notch sustainable styles.

Shop in-store at their West End location, online or via their Instagram stories where they share staff picks you can pay for instantly and collect when you’re ready.

161 Boundary Street, West End

Retro Metro

Retro Metro is a hub of women's and men's vintage clothing tucked underneath a weather-beaten old Queenslander. Whether you’re shopping for some old-world glam for a party, or looking for cute and comfy pieces to give your aesthetic some edge, Retro Metro is bound to unearth some gold for your wardrobe! You’ll also discover homewares, decor and more on your journey into the past.

297 Given Terrace, Paddington

Empire Revival

Open seven days a week in Paddington (a hotspot for vintage shopping), Empire Revival is known for rare and exciting vintage homewares, furniture and fashion. Often visited by designers and filmmakers, even the very building that houses this vintage store is rich with history. The heritage-listed Plaza Theatre was built in 1929 and operated as a cinema through the 30’s, 40s and 50s. Step back in time and visit Empire Revival for some epic vintage finds.

167 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington

Arkive Vintage

Beginning its journey two decades ago in London and Nottingham, Arkive Vintage opened its first Australian store in 2012.

Stocking vintage pieces from the 1930s to 1990s, mostly in their original state, but some brought into the modern era with clever customisation, you can expect to find top-notch jackets, tees, button-downs and dresses at Arkive.

With two Westfield locations, shopping vintage has never been so easy and accessible.

Multiple locations

Brisbane Vintage Exchange

Since leaving their tenancy in Albion, Brisbane Vintage Exchange has been mixing things up on the vintage shopping scene.

Instead of a shopfront, they now operate a monthly vintage market, and this is definitely an event to put in your calendar. Explore over forty vintage vendors, and nibble on bites from food trucks, all to the soundtrack of the DJ playing in the background.

This event is also dog-friendly, so bring your stylish pup along to make a day of it.

102 McDonald Road, Windsor

Vintage Revival

The next time you’re hankering for a vintage shopping extravaganza, head to Ipswich Road, Annerley for a string of the best vintage and thrift stores that are filled with exciting finds! A must-do on this adventure is the Vintage Revival section within the Lifeline, an emporium of clothing, homewares and objet d’arts destined to bring some old-world charm into your life. Being contained within the Lifeline means that you’ll find droves of affordable pieces to add to your retro wardrobe.

468 Ipswich Road, Annerley

Yesterday’s Thrift Shop

Have you spotted this old red worker’s cottage in Paddington? If you stop by and peep inside, you’ll find oodles of vintage clothing, books, records, games, toys and so much more!

With ranges for women, men and kids there are plenty of nooks and crannies full of treasures to be uncovered. And just in case you need any additional motivation to shop, all proceeds from sales support children with brain injuries, so you’re shopping with a cause.

39 Nash Street, Paddington

Not only is shopping at vintage clothing stores super fun and the best way to find unique stylish wardrobe pieces, but it’s a much more sustainable option for updating your style without having to turn to fast fashion. Whilst planning your trek around vintage shopping hotspots like Paddington, why not check out the Sitchu suburb guide for the complete breakdown on history, locale and things to do? You’re bound to need a refresher after shopping ‘til you drop and there’s nothing better than indulging your sweet tooth and savoury cravings all at the same time with one of Brisbane’s best high teas. Happy shopping!