The best vintage shops in Melbourne

Size and age-inclusive consignment store Mutual Muse has gone from strength to strength, now with three locations in Brunswick, Thornbury and Castlemaine. The boutique brings bold colour, textures and silhouettes to each suburb, in fun and inviting spaces that are a joy to shop in. Bring along the unworn gems in your wardrobe each season for cash or store credit and update your style, getting a case of the warm fuzzies in the process knowing you’re contributing to the circular fashion economy.

Price: $$$
Best for: bright colours, quirky prints and high-quality second hand garments.

An icon and mainstay of Melbourne’s vintage shopping scene, Retrostar is a must-visit. There’s the HQ store in Melbourne’s CBD and north side warehouse to choose from, depending on whether you’d prefer to peruse a more pared-back selection or get lost in a veritable vintage wonderland. Looking for a leather jacket that’ll go the distance, 70s cord flares in good nick, or a band tee none of your friends will have? Retrostar is the one, and the prices here are reasonable to boot.

Price: $$

Best for: '70s chic, band tees and retro-kitsch seasonal pieces.

For quality, cool vintage in spadeloads, darken the doors of OTC Vintage in Fitzroy or Melbourne CBD. Known for decking out locals in retro tees and Levi’s for the past couple of decades, the experts here know their stuff and are prepared to help you find pieces that feel like you – but better. Far from daggy, the clothes at OTC will give your wardrobe a new lease on life courtesy of the best the '70s, '80s, '90s and noughties have to offer. And the city store has an extensive vinyl collection to check out while you’re there.

Price: $$
Best for: '90s dresses, chunky knits, second-hand sportswear and lived-in denim.

Just off St George’s Road in Preston is a rainbow-coloured warehouse of vintage delights. Retropolis is an indoor marketplace offering clothes, accessories, art and homewares from different stallholders. If you’re after something specific, you’ll probably find it here. From party shirts to mini skirts, '70s platforms, vintage Levi’s in great condition or psychedelic-patterned flares – Retropolis has them, and probably in your size. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s another room of stuff. It’s worth the journey if you’re not a local.

Price: $$$

Best for: more choice and variety than you could dream up.

A project from The National Trust, Vault sees the not-for-profit dipping into their archive and picking out unique pre-loved garments spanning decades. Tucked into a cute little boutique in Block Arcade, Vault’s proceeds go towards The National Trust’s mission to protect natural, cultural and built heritage – so you can feel good about your eco-friendly purchase in more ways than one. Prices range from the high-end to the affordable, but all items are carefully selected and reflect a true love of vintage. Come for fashion inspiration, luxury brands and rare collectables.

Price: $$$
Best for: Luxe pre-loved garments at a mix of price ranges.

American Rag is said to be the first vintage store of its kind to be established in Melbourne’s CBD back in 1991. As the name suggests, the team here regularly travels to the USA to source clothes for the QV store. Travel costs may be built into prices, as items are a little more on the expensive side. You can find dresses from the '50s and '60s, cowboy boots, American ringer tees, a rack of Polo, sherpa jackets, corduroy pants and mum jeans galore. Basically, anything to make you look like you’re headed for a winter in the Rockies. 

Price: $$$$

Best for: dreamy Americana pieces that no one else will have.

Among the bridal stores of Sydney Road is a vintage clothing joint that injects a bit of cool into the shopping strip. Still Good offers affordable vintage from the '70s right up to the noughties. It’s not the kind of vintage store that’s full of wholesale filler stock. Each item is thoughtfully curated with style, personality and, sometimes, a bit of humour. One-off hand-knits hang next to grunge-era corduroy jackets, a great range of suit pants, shirts and a decent sale rack. The relaxed space is decorated with indoor plants and a collage of vintage magazine cutouts in the change room.

Price: $$

Best for: local boutique-feel vintage shopping, and your new favourite jacket or knit.

Also on the affordable train is Vintage Sole. There are two locations in Fitzroy and the CBD with a stash of more lowkey secondhand items. There’s plenty of polar fleece, cord pinafores, overalls, sweatshirts and retro favourites like Doc Martens, Dickies and RM Williams. The branded items can reach prices in the hundreds, while some great vintage staples float in the $20 to $50 price range.

Price: $

Best for: the golden combination of sustainable and affordable.

If your taste is a bit bolder and more camp, head to Vintage Garage. The pink flamingos and giant disco ball in the centre of the room set the scene. This is the go-to place for a festival or party outfit. The two-level marketplace houses merchants selling genuine vintage, as well as new garments with a retro style. Delight your eyeballs with sequined shimmy shorts, chain bras, studded jackets, colourful faux fur, go-go boots and leopard print everything. Streetwear and flannel fiends, don’t be shy, there are a few stalls for you too.

Price: $$$

Best for: combing through a next-level collection of festival and partywear.

Very similar to Retropolis, but over in Fitzroy, is Lost and Found Market. Many of the stores we know now had their start as stallholders here, including Still Good and Lune Selects. There’s something from every era, and funky old tunes get you in the right mindset while you browse for at least a good half hour. Prices vary across the different stalls, but you can usually find a rare gem for a fair price, whether that’s brown '70s earthenware, a pair of boots or some rose-coloured sunnies.

Price: $$$

Best for: Warehouse-style, expansive vintage shopping. 

Designer brands abound at Martin Fella in North Melbourne. Chanel, Dior, Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Gaultier, darling. This shop is small but offers something for those with a discerning eye and expensive taste. Their specialties are vintage designer bags and glass bead purses. Martin Fella also stocks classy pencil skirts, blazers, and gold jewellery, alongside a smattering of jeans, quirky Hawaiian shirts and cheaper non-brand vintage.

Price: $$$$

Best for: big name second-hand designer items, vintage designer bags.

Formerly known as Recycle Boutique from New Zealand, Goodbyes put consignment on the map in Melbourne. The store resells your old garments and gives you back 50 per cent of the price. With locations in Brunswick, Collingwood and Prahran, Goodbyes nabs some quality stock from fashionable locals. As a result, it's always got the Melbourne look. There’s a mix of brand and non-brand items, with largely modern recycled. Goodbyes has pre-loved Gorman to Acne Studios, sneakers and everyday wear.

Price: $$$

Best for: adding some serious cool-cred to your wardrobe.

Swop Clothing Exchange is another great spot to hit up for second-hand or vintage finds. Located in the heart of Collingwood, these guys offer 30 per cent cash or 50 per cent store credit in exchange for customer clothes. The bright white store highlights the colourful racks of retro and recent trends. If you missed a dress or pair of pants from a boutique brand last season, chances are someone will drop theirs off at Swop when they’re done. Alongside brands like Sister Studios, Suku and Missoni are other rarer thrifted finds.

Price: $$$

Best for: curated consignment shopping with a stylish blend of old and new.