Thrifter’s Paradise: The Best Vintage Clothing Stores in Melbourne

While there is a lot to love about a fresh new fit, its detrimental effect on the environment isn't one of them (fast fashion we see you). If your routine trip along the high street isn’t cutting it anymore, venture out and explore the best vintage clothing stores in Melbourne.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a perfectly worn in band t-shirt to achieve a retro vibe or you're after a designer steal, this city is brimming with second hand goodies that have a lot of love left to give. It’s Melbourne after all; vintage comes with the territory.

Retro Star

Australia’s largest vintage store and Melbourne’s undisputed pre-loved mecca, RetroStar has been the first point of call for trendy Melburnians for two decades. Nestled within the city’s bustling laneways, expect a worldly collection of vintage clothing, shoes, bags and accessories from around the globe. Alongside the endless racks of denim and leather jackets, Retro Star is also sitting on a mighty collection of over 5000 vintage rock and band tees. 

37 Swanston Street, Melbourne

American Vintage

Proving that no wardrobe is complete without a killer pair of cowboy boots and a 90s leather racing jacket is American Vintage. A streetwear sanctum with over 500 boots on display, this Fitzroy favourite houses the largest collection of American streetwear brands from the 80s and 90s in Melbourne – think custom cowboy boots, Harley Davidson, and a whole lot of denim.

133 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Hunter Gatherer

Further along Brunswick Street, Hunter Gatherer has been a staple in Fitzroy’s second hand fashion scene for over a decade. A charity shop with a boutique feel, HG as it’s referred to boasts an eclectic mix of bric-a-brac, local artisan crafts, books, records, clothes, and accessories. Paying homage to pop culture from then and now, their hand-picked collection of vintage and retro-inspired treasures is a thrifter’s paradise.

274 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Secondo Boutique

Melbourne’s leading consignment store of luxury vintage goods, Secondo is for the bougie babe on a budget. Giving a second life to timeless pieces that deserve to be enjoyed, their curated collection of local and international labels is guaranteed to elevate your wardrobe. While the luxury designers reign supreme, frugal fashionistas can find a bunch of affordable pre-loved goodies along the racks as well.

286 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Vintage Garage

Big, bold and unapologetically chaotic, Vintage Garage is everything you’d expect from a Fitzroy vintage store. A vibrant melting pot of classic vintage, one-off streetwear & outlandish festival gear, this specialty marketplace houses more than 40 of the city’s best vintage dealers. Stocking everything from clothing and jewellery to homewares and memorabilia, be sure to leave yourself ample time to explore.

323 Smith Street, Fitzroy

Vintage Sole

Celebrating a time in fashion when clothes were made to last, Vintage Sole has been kitting out sustainably minded Melburnians since 2005. Stocking the OG styles that have inspired today’s trends, you can easily score yourself a Levi's jacket, Nike Windbreaker or CARHARTT button up for just over $50. And, with stores in both Fitzroy and CBD, shopping sustainably is easier than ever.   

258 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

6/37 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Bruce

Looking for that je ne sais quoi that makes Europeans look ever so chic? Known for its unparalleled collection of bespoke Japanese and European designer clothing (and bags), Bruce is the high-end consignment boutique that every style maven should know about. With two northside locations in Clifton Hill and Fitzroy, you’ll find a treasure trove of covetable international designer labels including Comme des Garçons, Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens and Paul Harnden.

165 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill 

157 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Shag

Equal parts weird and wonderful, Shag marches to the beat of its own drum. A place where animal print and sequins peacefully coexist, Shag’s quirky brand of old-world glamour is nothing short of a masterpiece. At first glance, the stores may seem overwhelming, but as you work your way through you’ll quickly see there’s a method to the madness. Merchandised in sections, both stores offer a world of treasures that you won’t find anywhere else.  

130 Chapel St, Windsor

84 Smith Street, Collingwood

Goodbyes

A favourite of trendy twentysomethings and lovers of high-end local labels, Goodbyes’ selective assortment of pre-loved garments and accessories gives you little reason to look elsewhere. Championing unique pieces, quality fabric and construction, their wildly popular consignment-based system not only extends the lifespan of garments but will also save you a pretty penny. Scanlan Theodore, Chanel, Lucy Folk, Prada and Issey Miyake are among the hundreds of labels you’ll find across their three Melbourne stores.

127 Sydney Road, Brunswick

2 Johnston Street, Collingwood

142 Commercial Road, Prahran

Worked your way through the best vintage clothing stores in Melbourne and looking for something new? Discover more fashion inspo with these Australian female-owned apparel, jewellery and activewear brands you’ll love. Feeling like a lazy day at home? Kick your heels up in style with our fave local loungewear labels.

Still Good Recycled

Brunswick is unofficially the suburb for secondhand goods. It has some of the best vintage stores in Melbourne, and plenty of them are quite close to each other - perfect for a vintage shop crawl. There's a mix of vintage and contemporary clothing here at Still Good Recycled, but it isn't the usual rummage-mission that you have to go through at a regular op shop. Instead, it is carefully sorted through and curated by shop owner, Maddie Berrill, so onyl the nicest garments in terms of quality and style are sold. That's half the work done before you even step inside!

513 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Swop Clothing Exchange

If you're a shopaholic whose wardrobe is bursting at the seams (yes, we're looking at you), listen up. Swop is the answer to all your problems! You can bring in your current-season or quality vintage clothing (no fast fashion here!) and swap it out for either cash or store credit, and in exchange, they get to keep the clothing you bring and resell it. Unlike other consignment stores, you don't need to wait for your items to sell before you get paid. Instead, they give cash (or store credit) upfront! The only problem you'll face? Trying not to take home the store's entire stock with you.

266 Smith Street, Collingwood

Martin Fella

If you have a sharp eye (and bougie taste), Martin Fella is the vintage store for you. While they do sell non-designer vintage items, they stock designers galore - and all in great vintage condition. From Chanel to Prada, Dior to Vivienne Westwood, they may have a smaller range of items than other vintage clothing stores in Melbourne, but what they lack in volume, they make up for in quality and brand availability.

556 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne

Lost and Found Market

Lost and Found Market is not exactly a vintage store...but trust us when we say you'll find plenty of great pieces here. People can actually rent a stall here on a monthly basis and sell anything from vintage fashion to homewares. There are some permanent sellers, and others who like to come and go, so whatever's available is always changing. Not to mention, the Lost and Found Market is huge, so you'll be rummaging through all the unique pieces for a while! It's a vintage-lover's dream.

288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Lune Selects

They say some of the best things in Melbourne are hidden, and it certainly rings true with Lune Selects. This vintage store is hidden above a café and is definitely worth the hunt. Inside is a cosy and welcome atmosphere, with a bags hanging on walla and racks littering the space. Here, you'll find hand-picked and curated vintage pieces, including gorgeous lacy, feminine pieces.

Upstairs - enter through Sonido café, 69 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

American Rag

American Rag has been providing Melburnians with American vintage pieces for over 22 years. Located inside the QV Building, here you'll find a wide range of men's, women's and children's clothing. The team that run American Rag regularly travel to the U.S., wherein they hand-pick garments that they want to bring back and sell at the store. It's the best vintage store in Melbourne for authentic American clothing, and since they make the hefty commute often, there's always something new to shop!

15-17 QV Terrace, Melbourne

Have you uncovered thrifting treasure with our guide to the best vintage stores in Melbourne? Yes? Excellent! You'll also love our list of best homeware stores and jewellery shops in Melbourne. Get ready to shop 'til you drop!