The perfect store. One of the best things about shopping as a guy is that you know what you need…read moreand where to get it. You walk into a shop with a mission and within 1 to 2 minutes have already walked out with what you came for in hand. Every time I have come to Incu it has been successful and is my first port of call when I need a new t-shirt. A really funny story actually happened to me here. I came in to buy a pair of booties (shoes) and when I got home for some reason my brother tried them both on and noticed that one was larger than the other. I went back to Incu the next day and explained the situation, at that point the store clerk apologised for the mistake and let me know that they would exchange the larger shoe for the smaller one. I told him that would not be necessary, I would like to purchase the other odd pair of shoes and my brother would take the two large and I the two small. To this day we look great in our matching booties.

I've always walked past this store and wished that I had a reason to visit and browse through the…read moremen's clothing and accessories. It always looked so painfully hipster and cool and everyone knows I'm a closet wannabe hipster. Yesterday I had reason to finally venture inside, on the hunt for a man-friend gift. I loved the clothing and yes it's a bit on the spendy side, but I'll live off lentils and dried crackers for a week if it means my man-friend can walk around looking snazzy and I get to bask in the gloriousness that is his hipster-cool aura. More than the great collection of threads, what impressed me was the amazing service. Helpful and patient as I asked questions and looked at various sizes of the one sweater, the dude that served me was a delight. I really appreciated his kindness and genuine interest in me as he took the time to wrap my gift. For those interested: the man-friend loved the sweater, it fit perfectly and apparently I am "the best ever". Win huh?

To the Max, while a ridiculous name, is a fantastic destination for ladies looking for a dress to…read morethe races, something to wear to the formal or just a trendy dress for Saturday night dancing. However, they also stock leather jacket, blouses and casual skirts. Yes, it is quite expensive, but you're getting really good quality labels like Sass & Bide. However the service is fairly shocking. Expect to wait around quite a while until someone offers you help. I've never been lucky enough to find anything here, but perhaps it just isn't my style. It is very trendy-wear but a touch too expensive for my liking.

Once you get past the lame name (sorry guys) this shop is pretty good. It's the only non-chain…read morewomen's fashion store on Lygon that is pitched at the younger market, and has a well-chosen selection of casual and dressy clothes and accessories. I go in the store regularly to check out the new stock - they carry a lot of the same brands you'll find in the young fashion department at David Jones, but it's a calmer environment, with helpful staff and a lot closer to home. They carry a good range of jeans - Nobody, True Religion and Mavi, and all of the dresses, tops and trousers are arranged by colour rather than brand. I find this a really easy way of picking out pieces to try on together - it's obviously a clever attempt to get you to buy more and I admit it sometimes works on me! Don't miss the jewellery in the glass counter as it's super-cute, and they've got some brands I haven't seen elsewhere.

This place is slightly confusing, with its strange shop front (looks like a womans clothing store…read moreto me), its tight pant wearing hipsterish staff, and mish mash of baggy skatey clothing styles mixed with a bit of high street fashion. But you know what - it is a pretty good place to go looking for jeans, as they have a brilliant selection, and the staff are really helpful. In fact this is where one of the staff members managed to convince me, a short stubby kind of guy, to go the tight jeans. He told me I should go a size up and a few cuts in (by that I mean tighter), and then watched me as I painstakingly tried on about 100 pairs of jeans and fussed over each one like I was a bride to be. The service was truly amazing. And I walked out of there looking far more Ryan Gosling than Avril Levigne (or at least that skaterboy she sings about). The prices are about average and there are a lot of average looking clothes scattered throughout the shop in my view. But then again I prefer to say that there is probably a little something there for everyone.

If you're after designer jeans for high street prices, you need to visit Smith Street's Denim…read moreDeluxe. Stocking discounted jeans by Levi, Lee et al, along with women's and men's streetwear and accessories, Denim Deluxe may not be the coolest looking shop on Smith Street but it is definitely one of the area's most useful. Granted, there is some pretty tacky stuff in here. But if you're looking for basic jumpers, jeans, tees or even a pair of Havaianas; are on a bit of a budget; and have the time to rifle through a little sartorial dross, Denim Deluxe is the place to go.

Its name might fall halfway in between sounding like a put down and a Nu Metal band but Smith…read moreStreet's Toolz is a rather wonderful fashion boutique specialising in high quality fashion from South Korea and Japan. On first glance its sartorial wares might be a bit cashed up Steiner mum or eco-architect but there is actually a lot to recommend this small but perfectly formed little Collingwood boutique. All raw hide rugs and artfully distressed walls with just a few brusque rails of clothing, Toolz sells a solid range of dresses, tunics, blouses and more which are perhaps a little mature - and expensive - for the likes of me but are beautifully designed nonetheless. Particularly notable are Toolz' pretty print tunics and sumptuous cotton t shirt dresses and particularly admirable? Toolz' use of natural fibres. There's nowt shiny, cheap or flammable about this classy little label.

When I'm in a bit of a shopping mood on Chapel Street, my first stop is always Indigo. A store that…read morestarted selling panelled denim flares and jackets in 1973, which has evolved to the aesthetically pleasing boutique it is today. It's always stocked with an eclectic range of fashion that you won't find in other stores. Think the likes of summery dresses, flirty but dignified tops and fitted pants with just the right amount of give in them. Like all stores, Indigo carries a seasonal range and tries to include a good balance between well-loved basics, "now" fashion and versatile occasionals like fitted blazers and short cropped jackets. All the fashion is designed by in-house designer Catherine Murphy, who obviously puts a lot of thought into her flattering threads. Currently I've got my eye on a long flowy dress (perfect for hiding the post winter bulge which refuses to leave) and a basic high-waisted skirt that will go with anything. Did I mention, their clothes accommodate size eight to 14 - so it's great news for larger-framed people (read: foodies) like me.

Such a cool boutique! Old building that has been left quite intact inside. Is it weird that I care…read moreas much about a space as what is sold in it?! Neuw is a new obsession of mine too. Their clothes are comfy, and hit the seasonal colours with aplomb. Tons of shades of jeans, raw and destroyed. Comfy shirts that remind me a bit of Varvatos. The help here really does help, sometimes digging with me for my perfect size.

'Stockholm Syndrome' might not be the most obvious inspiration for a fashion boutique, but then…read moreNeuw is located in esoteric fashion central, Fitzroy. A relative newcomer to Smith Street, this outpost of the Neuw brand opened in 2010 and has been doing a fine line in interestingly coloured denim and sophisticated little frocks ever since. Located in an old bank - which, fittingly, was the very scene of the first reported case of Stockholm Syndrome - Neuw is an urbane little label with a classy aesthetic and some very reasonable price tags. Colours run the rather limited - but definitely to my liking - gauntlet from white to black via grey with a little bit of softly colourful denim thrown in for good measure, and the shop itself is big, classy and beautifully designed. I particularly like Neuw's cleverly interesting dresses which are made out of such beautiful quality materials and are cut so well that their $150 odd price tags seem almost criminally low. I would happily be taken hostage by Neuw if my captor would throw in a coupla dresses and perhaps some drainpipes. Just putting it out there.

I first discovered Ksubi when i strolled into a small boutique on the West Coast. This store is…read moresomewhat similar to the one i first discovered, small but full of character. Ksubi is a clash between avant garde and Jeanswest. The strange meets wearability. There's a large range of eclectic designs that's will keep you frolicking amongst the garments. I picked up a baggy white tee from here with awesome typography on it, also got a black tee with orange lightning bolts. I guess it only falters as the whole vibe of the store is well... it doesn't have one. It's a small space, white walls and a few clothing racks. Last time i was here there was no music playing so that didn't add any ambiance.

If you like the Ksubi aesthetic - think denim, think artfully distressed, think ever so slightly…read moreavant gardely skanky - then you'll love the Ksubi boutique within Melbourne Central. A teensy little store stocking a surprisingly wide range of Ksubi's cult denim, clothes and accessories, Ksubi may be too cool for school but its designs are decidedly hot. Ok, I may not sport that many pieces from this trendy little Aussie label's range but it's still worth a browse. Considering the fact that its wares are invariably tight, holey, and/or sheer, it's advisable to be pretty lean if you want to sport Ksubi's garb. It's also advisable to look like you're on smack if you want to elicit some halfway decent service from the staff at its stores. My shopping companion spotted the sales assistant at this particular branch of Ksubi hesitantly begin to approach us as we walked through the door, look us up and down and then retreat back behind the counter. I know it's cool to look apathetic but this little boutique must. Try. Harder.

Nique, as far as designer clothing goes, is pretty good…read more Where I struggle to really like this store is because it's so DAMN EXPENSIVE. Now, usually I'm cool with spending a little extra to get a few nicer pieces of clothing but the fact is, this is no better than a lot of other places on the very popular strip on Chapel St, so find it hard to buy anything there. It's nearly always empty where I get drawn in by some of the nice designs yet I turn over a price tag and my eyes widen further than they ever have before! Designer, as a word, usually does entail spending more than you expect but there is a line and I think that Nique crosses it. Sad, because I like the clothing and would definitely buy it if it was affordable.