Sophie Berrill

Stepping into a good vintage clothing store feels like being granted entry into a private, curated wardrobe, stocked with a discerning eye. And flitting through the hallowed racks can be a sensory delight of its own. But the real magic comes when you stumble across a piece so perfectly you that it seems like you were destined to meet. Melbourne is a goldmine of vintage clothing, with stores concentrated in Fitzroy, Brunswick and the CBD. You could be a vintage veteran or joining the second-hand clothing revolution for the first time – in which case, welcome. Either way, Melbourne’s vintage clothing stores hold treasures untold for those willing to look. They’re also part of a much bigger movement, with online retailer thredUP predicting the secondhand market will double the size of fast fashion by 2030. The future is vintage – here’s where to go and stake your claim. Looking to put together a greener wardrobe? Here are Melbourne's best fashion stores. Want pre-loved books for your shelf? Check out Melbourne's best second-hand bookshops.

The banks of the Birrarung (Yarra) where Federation Square sits has long been a gathering place for its traditional owners, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people and visiting Kulin Nations.  Affectionately coined 'The People's Square', Federation Square as we know it today was built in 2002. It remains a meeting place for cultural festivals, art installations, exhibitions, free films on the big screen, broadcasts of major sporting matches and live music. The landmark is home to ACMI, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and Koorie Heritage Trust, as well as dining options like Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters, Hero, Big Esso by Mabu Mabu and Taxi Kitchen.Love or hate its controversial geometric architecture, Fed Square has a great vantage point of other city landmarks and is an easy meeting place—except for some visitors with disabilities. Disability advocates have flagged that its gradient and cobblestones make it quite inaccessible, despite having some accessible measures in place.

Enchanted Adventure allows visitors to get up close to the treetops with a Canopy Walk or a Sky Scramble. The Grand Tree Surf climbing challenge offers an experience for those feeling a little more daring. It features more than 50 obstacles across five levels, including bridges, a rock climbing wall, a Tarzan Swing and ziplines linked to tree-based platforms up to ten metres high. For something more down to earth, there are seven different mazes to weave through, as well as tube slides, colourful themed gardens, picnic areas, hedge topiary, giant sculptures and brainteaser puzzles. Follow this up with a mellowing tipple at a nearby winery, brewery or gin distillery by purchasing one of Enchanted Adventure’s local packages.

Abbotsford Convent is hard to describe in just a few words. It’s an arts and culture precinct that brings together artist studios, writers, musicians, therapists, community organisations, local fashion labels, improv groups, a Steiner school, a community radio station and more.  Collaboration and learning are key values at the precinct, which plays host to changing workshops on topics ranging from grief to gardening. This is alongside exhibitions, talks, book launches, performances and a farmers market every Saturday. While Lentil As Anything closed up in 2022, the convent is home to the popular hospitality venues Cam’s Kiosk, Convent Bakery and Kappaya. The stable force that unites this large community is the breathtaking Abbotsford Convent grounds. Once under threat of demolition, the buildings and gardens were saved with a Heritage listing that recognised its rich history as a convent founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1863. This subsequently operated for over 100 years and thousands of girls and women were placed in care at the convent.

Designer brands abound at Martin Fella in North Melbourne. Chanel, Dior, Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Gaultier, darling. Names, names, names! 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.