Blue Velvet is one of my favourite dress shops. They have the most beautiful range of cocktail…read moredresses for all occasions, from a casual weekend barbeque to a night out in clubbing on a day on the race track. Think sparkles, frills and lots of colours. Everything you need to make you feel like a princess for a special occasion. There is certainly plenty of sparkle, the store even has a chandelier! There are a few full length gowns that are quite pretty but my favourites are the cocktail dresses. They have plenty of small sizes too which can be surprisingly hard to find at small boutique shops. Great to browse through even if you don't have an event coming up. The service is also fantastic. Last time I was there, there was a 'Back in 5 mins' sign on the door however a very nice gentleman advised me that the owner would be back shortly and proceeded to explain the current specials.

There are a few places like this I've come across in Sunnybank. Little boutiques I discovered…read moreaccidentally, hidden among a crowd of less inviting shops, full of less interesting merchandise. Julia has done a great job with her collection; the store is a decent size and it's packed with loads of adorable dresses. Looking at the labels most of them are imported. The prices are average and while the quality of some of the garments strikes me as a little questionable (it's the vibe of the thing), it's a great store and one that I will certainly be returning to.

Etre is a women's fashion store in the Metro area off Creek Road. I have been here a couple of…read moretimes, just window shopping really. I like the vibe of the store, sort of breezy and a bit of a holiday feel to it. This is probably due to the fact that a lot of the clothing would be suitable for a holiday. Smart casual I think you would call it. I am yet to buy anything simply because most of the clothing is aimed at women a bit older than myself. I would estimate their main buyers would be 35-50 or so and women with some class because they do have some classy tops, dresses and pants, just not for my personal style.

I swear this boutique was transplanted directly from Noosa; it reminds me so strongly of many of…read morethe shops up there, and, less flatteringly, many women's clothing stores you find in shopping centres. It's definitely better quality than the shopping centre chain stores, but the styles are quite similar. A lot of horrendously bright colours and not especially nice patterns, with many of the items made of that semi-satin like material that so many resort holidaying mothers seem to wear. The shop itself is nice, unfortunately it's just not for me.

The clothes in Bobbi Belle make me think of bridesmaids dresses and beach weddings…read more The dresses are sophisticated in that beach photo shoot kind of way. Bare shoulders and exposed collarbones, materials that drape over you like silk, colours that make you look more tanned and vibrant than usual- it's these kinds of clothes that Bobbi Belle stocks. Bobbi Belle is a stylist. Her clothes will look the way she wants them to look on you. You can go in there simply to peruse the racks, or you can go in for the more luxurious treatment of being dressed. The clothes are a little pricey, but nothing too unreasonable. If you're ever in the mood to swoon over clothes, be called 'Darling' and talk fashion with other women, you will definitely be able to do it at Bobbi Belle.

Oh hello 75% off sale! I always appreciate a sale when the items for sale are nice and you would…read moreactually like to be seen [by many] wearing them. Bobbi Belle has achieved this. In fact, I don't think you'd ever find an article of clothing in here you'd be too embarrassed to be seen in. This ladies' boutique retailer on the corner of Cavendish and Old Cleveland Roads, is filled with bright designs - from formal dresses to casual tees. Stocking brands such as Staggers and Wyse. The staff are friendly and approachable, and are more than willing to provide styling advice and tips.

This brand is beautiful! I actually ended up getting married in a Maiocchi dress!…read more I love the fabrics - lots of Asian inspired prints, and fun patterns like babushka dolls. The cut of these dresses is usually very flattering - they are made for women, even with curves and all. There is always a range of 50s style dresses - lots of A-line skirts, full cut skirts and cinched waists. Very feminine and womanly. It's a local Brisbane brand, made in Red Hill. It's not the cheapest brand of clothes, but they are really well-made and the fabric is good quality. The city store also has a range of cute jewellery, bags and shoes.

For me Maiocchi is one of those places where you love to shop,…read morebut have a hard time PRONOUNCING the name to friends. ("It started with May? errm myoki? maykekekoke? I'LL GOOGLE IT OK") Aside from my dyslexia, this is probably one of my favourite stores to take a gander in. I love the friendly staff and serene atmosphere, the products are clearly high quality and the cuts and fabric hark back to a more traditional Japanese aesthetic. The store also displays a lot of local artists ware's as well, from bags and brooches to intricate jewellery. This would make an ideal place for unique and lovely gift's (In particular lookout for the teaset in the shape of a spaceman!)

For an awful minute, I thought I wasn't going to be allowed inside this shop. I tried the door but…read moreit wouldn't open, then realised that I had to actually ring a bell to gain entry. I am not sure if this is so they can scrutinise your attire before they deem you acceptable to enter ((thank God I was wearing a lovely vintage leather midi-skirt), but I did find it very off-putting. And, to be honest, totally unnecessary. C'mon folks, it's a suburban Brisbane boutique, not Karl Lagerfeld's headquarters! Once inside the luxe environs (and yes, it is beautiful - and you can tell that they did base the opulent decore on the old-style French couture salons) I was told by the slightly superior shop assistant that you can find everything to dress you from the inside out. There's lingerie, high end hosiery, jewellery (I spied pieces by Ericson Beamon - I'm not sure anywhere else in Brisbane stocks that), bags, and of course an achingly expensive range of Little Black Dresses. When I was there they'd just received some newbies by Valentino). They only stock European designers - although one Aussie label did make the cut (Aurelio Costarella). Needless to say, the prices are not for the faint hearted. Nor for the really young and funky. Whilst the collections are carefully chosen and there are some beautiful pieces, I can imagine it would mainly appeal to the ladies-who-lunch set and the older members of Paddington's "society" crowd. I've given it 3 stars purely because of the quality of the clothes - if you're after a little slice of European chic, you'll get it here. But if I were you, I wouldn't turn up in flip flops and denim shorts...

For a taste of imported designer fashion in Brisbane this is the place to go. I visited to purchase…read moresome lingerie as they are one of the few retailers in Brisbane stocking french brands. If I had endless time and funds I would have found many special pieces to buy that I would not get anywhere else in Brisbane. The staff we're knowledgeable and I felt like they really wanted to help me find the perfect fit for me. A wonderful shopping experience.

Dissh in Mt Ommaney Centre is possibly the only place to get trendy, moderately priced items…read moresuitable for young or fashion forward women. If you have outgrown certain shops or If you are no longer are a fan of Dotti, Temt, Valley Girl, Forever New or Ally, then Dissh is the next best option. They stock some of the most fashionable young labels which are often found in the likes of Universal or General Pants, which include; Ladakh, Mink Pink, Bardot, One Teaspoon, Wish and Adorne. The store is exclusively just for women and practically every item in store is up to date with the latest trends. If you love your fashion and need something to bring you up date in Aussie trends, then Dissh is the must visit store in Mt Ommaney.

Manly is a great place to wander. There are so many great little shops and cafes right on the water…read morefront. Butterfly on the Bay caught my eye last weekend. I found it to be a stylish little boutique with a great range of chic women's clothing in lots of sizes. Bright, colourful fabrics jump out at you when you walk in. The clothing style is largely feminine and floaty. Lots of delicate, colourful dresses with belts at the waist and gorgeous chunky necklaces to accessorise. I could have easily bought a whole outfit just off the window dummies.

I really like this little shop. It's been there for absolutely years, so it must be doing something…read moreright. There's not a lot of boutique-y opposition in Manly but what there is have their own niches. Butterfly on the Bay has its points of difference too - it doesn't concentrate so much on the shimmery evening dresses or over the top designer brands, like a couple of other stores in the are do,. Although there are some nice labels here the clothes are a nice mix of pretty day wear, some evening frocks and even some gear I'd wear to work.

The Leaf Boutique is a nice ladies fashion store, filled with pretty dresses, blouses, skirts and…read moretrousers. Their clothes are not quite my style, however, there are still plenty of great outfits in here. They cater towards a market of women who are perhaps professionals or mature-aged, as you won't find slinky mini dresses in here. The outfits have a lot of colour and suit all body shapes. You will find plenty of easy-to-wear wrap dresses and most of them supporting Australian designers. It's a lovely boutique and worth a visit if you are shopping for your mother, aunty or grandmother. I'm sure you'll find something suitable for them here.