This place claims to be a recycled clothing store for imported and designer clothing. Imported they…read moremay be, but, although they stock some nice items and everything in good condition, I am not too sure about how many of them are actually designer brands. It's not what I would call jam-packed full of stuff, with the clothing lining only the walls of the store and some sort of dance floor (what else would that space be for?) in the middle. Even though the items may not belong on Anne Hathaway (the made-over version) in The Devil Wears Prada, there's no question they're good quality and reasonably priced. Everything is jumbled together with no apparent system, so you have to sort through everything to unearth that special piece, but that's half the fun.

10 years in retail is no mean feat and this year Green Tangerine, the delightful homewares and gift…read morestore on Latrobe Terrace celebrates their 10th birthday. If you're local to Paddington or have spent any length of time in Brisbane, Green Tangerine has most likely come across your radar as a place to buy gifts for a multitude of occasions, perhaps a top for yourself purchased on a whim after having coffee or a weekend breakfast at one of the nearby cafes, or for a a sticky beak and inspiration. The store is always elegantly presented with enough of a collection to appeal to a wide audience. Most recently there's been an increase in Australian pieces including the ceramics of Angus & Celeste. Even if you're only in the market for a quirky card to send to a friend in far away places, Green Tangerine will come up trumps.

As my circle of friends have become increasingly fond of matrimony, Green Tangerine has fast become…read moremy go to place for wedding/engagement gifts. It's got an impressive range of homewares including some cool ceramics, framed art wall hangings and other curios which make a great gift for someone setting up a new home. It's also full of purely aesthetic pieces for the person who has everything. The service is great too. It's always good to get a friendly greeting followed by a respectful wait before the offer of help. Prices are wide-ranging but you can usually find something suitable for under $100, and often the pieces will look like they could cost a lot more.

This place is perfect for stylish mums and kids. Everything you could ever want for babies, kids…read moreand maternity can be found here. I emphasise the want, they don't really sell essentials such as nappies. There's so much stuff here; kids clothes and shoes, luggage tags, super cool lunchboxes, toys and plenty more. It's pretty expensive with some nappy bags costing upwards of $400, but hey, if that's what you're into.

Oh Bobble Art, Bobble Art, wherefore art thou Bobble Art?…read more At Cocoon Petite Living! Any mum whose gone into a fancy kids shop knows the brand Bobble Art. They do great lunchboxes, bags, bottles and various kids accessories. They have it. They also stock brands like Brio, Baby Bjorn, Anna and Sally, Cheeky Little Soles and Cocoon Couture. If you're a mother who knows these brands, you're a mother who knows the cost of buying awesome stuff for your kids. In dollars anyway. The prices at this place are slightly more than in the Early Childhood Development Centres, and your other kid shop, but they do stock far plenty. If you have the dough to burn and want some quality and nice looking maternity wear, this is the place to get it. This shop is definetely for those mums with the finer appreciation of all things kids, moreso with their wallets. But like anything, you do pay for quality. These things last a long time if you do.

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.

Suna Shoes and Accessories have a wide collection of beautiful shoes that are very reasonably…read morepriced. Having shopped around everywhere and not having any luck finding that perfect pair, one stop at Suna and i instantly fell in love with a lot gorgeous shoes. I was very happy with the service the staff provided, they were very pleasant and are very willing to help. I left the store with many beautiful pairs of shoes that fitted comfortably and am contemplating going back for more!

I do cherish a few stores but I'm afraid this isn't one of them. Don't go into this store expecting…read moreto find a fantastic sale. Ignore the discount rack out the front, too - this is always filled with one-off items the staff can't get to move. Cherish has been around for a very long time in terms of Paddington clothing stores. A decade ago, as a young pup, I walked past the store and it even had the same name and storefront design. A lack of make-over tends to indicate that Cherish has stood the test of time well whilst other Paddington boutiques barely make it (in their original carnation) to two years. I attribute this to the fact that Cherish has a specific clientele it caters to: namely, richer middle-aged women seeking out respectable, expensive dining wear or formal wear. None of the designs seem tailored to the early-20s Paddington cool crowd; this is high-end, "I have money and can't wait to get rid of it!" shopping only. If someone threw $1,000 at me and told me to spend it at Cherish, it wouldn't be a complete waste. Certainly I'd be able to buy some expensive but well-fitted business skirts, corporate tops and power jackets. And they'd probably last a long time. However, you don't generally walk into a Paddington boutique seeking out clothes for work. The staff here seem to have a very low rotation, and I can only assume the main staff at the front counter are owners. They never bother me with "can I help you?" questions, which is great, but on the other hand if a Soccer Mum-type rocks up in an SUV with a full purse I can expect to be ignored. Even if I walk up and ask for help. Others seem to enjoy this store more than I do, so it's possible I've visited on a few "off" days. However, over the last decade this has accounted to around 30-40 "off" days, since I used to live almost next-door and fruitlessly hoped that things would get better.

I popped in to Designs to Cherish with my Mum when she was looking for a 'Mother of the Bride'…read moredress. My Mum is very non traditional (the epithet Hippy may have been applied to her in the past) so I knew it could be a bit of a chore finding something. Designs to Cherish feels like a little sanctuary with its door providing space between busy Latrobe Terrace and your shopping experience. I love boutiques that create a seperation between real world and their world, and Designs to Cherish certainly does just that. The stock was beautiful, and there were quite a few floaty kaftan style dresses that I thought were perfect. Unfortunately I didn't factor in my Mother's aversion to synthetic materials plus her aversion to kaftans (apparently her ex mother in law wore one to her wedding so that made it a no no) so we didn't buy from them. I, however, mentally picked out a few pieces I will be back in for when I'm a little more fiscally solvent.

This Paddington op-shop is, as its name suggests, full of second-hand designer clothes as well as…read morebric-a-brac, old vinyl records, books, and a huge collection of vintage clothes from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Upstairs is full of shoes, bags, jewellery, hats and men's, women's and kid's clothing from big and small designers. Downstairs is a veritable treasure trove of high-waisted 50's skirts, pleated dresses like the ones grandma wears, evening gowns from all decades, leather coats from James Dean's glory years and my favourite, a rack of enormous faux fur coats from a time when people were a little bit classier. The clothes in here might not be as funky as what you will find in a dedicated vintage store but the prices are much easier on the eyes and if you dig deep you can often find something a bit special.

Ah Endo's, the place where clothes go to be reincarnated. Endo's is kind of like a bit fancier, bit…read morefunkier Vinnie's where the clothes have been sorted to ensure that only things with the potential to be reborn are allowed through the doors. This is great for op-shoppers in a hurry who would rather skip trawling through pilled Kmart dresses that aren't quite vintage and more early 2000s. The convenience and funky factors do mean that the prices are a little higher than in your average secondhand charity store, but usually you'll find something in Endo's that makes that worth it. Especially since you can find it in half the time thanks to their excellent stock selection. Whether you're a novice op-shopper or just a lazy one like me, Endo's has done half the work for you and all you need to do is pick what you want and pay for it! And then when someone compliments you on your new dress or jacket and asks you where you got it, you can feel very suave and hip when you reply with a wave of your hand 'oh, this old thing? It's vintage'.

This ridiculously cute shop filled with wondrously dressy evening attire (or daytime racing…read morecarnival outfits) also doubles as a lash bar. Making your way through the racks of silky, colourful clubbing dresses and floor-length shimmering dresses, you'll make your way to the Lash Bar courtesy of Darin Rose. Get your falsies applied, make up perfected and bat those lids with pride as compliments will surely rain down upon you.

From the owner: Brisbane's only exclusive 'by Appointment' Formal wear boutique. Specialising in Formal Dresses,…read moreBridal gowns, Bridesmaids Dresses, Mother of the Bride, Black Tie and Red Carpet glamour. Miss Savage is the exclusive stockist in Brisbane for designer formal wear labels: Bariano, Bariano Black, Bariano Custom collection and Lumier. As a leader in women's formal wear in Brisbane since 2006, this stunning boutique has one of a kind dresses that will turn heads at your special occasion. The owner is an expert at fitting and styling and making all women feel comfortable & absolutely fabulous.

This is a much more student-friendly version of Retro Metro, offering vintage items at way cheaper…read moreprices. Extending a fair way back from where it tumbles out onto the footpath, the racks are packed with all sorts of men's and women's clothing. Lots of well known brands can be found here; I unearthed a Cooper St dress for only $10. Not all of the items are such bargains and the quality is not quite up to the same standard as the main store, but there's so much here that you're bound to find some sort of hidden treasure. The service is also very friendly; the guy working at the time was helpful without being pushy, something I think most people prefer. I think there aren't many things worse than an overly inquisitive shop assistant clearly intent on forcing you to make a purchase. If you're in the market for some vintage clothes, I suggest you check this place out before venturing to its more expensive counterpart. Because a lot of the store is outside, the opening hours are weather dependent. There is no phone number for this store, so if in doubt call the number listed above (for the main Retro Metro) and they'll be able to help you.

I used to walk past this place for years before I eventually went in. Whether I finally did was…read moreowing to a warming to second-hand clothing or an improvement in Retro Metro's stock, I'm not sure. But the stock is good. And cheap. Actually, thank God for Retro Metro. It is the one second-hand clothing store in Paddington that is not ridiculously overpriced. The clothing ranges from the horrible 1980s, the faded and almost-unidentifiable 90s and - most importantly - to the decent 70s-style clothing that's hip again. And, unlike many of its peers, the clothing is all of good quality and there's none of that musty-mothball smell. The store also boasts new stock - a few pieces from local designers with a slightly more expensive price tag (around $25 as compared to $10 for a second-hand maxi-style dress). A lot of this new stuff is excellent, and would be a big draw-card for fans of long, flowing dresses in modern prints. Inside the store are a few more zany, non-clothing items - gun holsters, books and intriguing little trinkets - and the respectful owner. He's a nice guy and once sold me a pile of books I liked the look of for $1. If you're at all open to the idea of second-hand clothing and/or cheap local designs, go here. I apologize in advance for the inevitable 2km walk from where you eventually find a car spot.

Wow. This is a vintage-lover's PARADISE. I couldn't get over how many beautiful treasures call this…read moreplace their home (well, until they get purchased). Unfortunately, time was not on my side so I couldn't spend the hour I needed in here (at a minimum) to truly examine all the loveliness up close. Next visit, I'll definitely spend quality time bonding with the jewellery. There's so many cabinets of it, it's like someone raided the jewellery boxes of all the glam grandmas and great grannies in Australia and it ended up here. Fabulous diamante brooches, clip on earrings, bracelets, rings...all unique, stunning, one-of-a-kind. Walking through the house-come-store, I wandered into a room to the left which was full of beautiful vintage clothes (pricey, but well chosen); then at the end, there was a kitchenette full of...yep, you guessed it, vintage crockery etc. Out on the back patio, it was all about gardening with pots and statues (like a giant buddha). There's definitely no tat in here - it's a wonderland of pre-loved treasures that deserve a nice home.

Adornments is a gorgeous store featuring a wide arrangement of funky, unique, and…read moreI-didn't-even-know-these-things-existed vintage items. As with most of Paddington's boutiques, not all of the items are second-hand antiques. There is a range of brand new clothes, hats and other items for sale. What I particularly loved here was the dresses. The ankle-length, shoulder-strap summer dress gets a beautiful revamp here with unique fabrics. Some of the dresses are floral (there's a gorgeous black dress with roses) and I loved a lilac number with a tiny black bird print. Some of the more unique items include a vintage door-knock of a horse carved out of wood where the ring ("knocker") hangs from his muzzle.