Not my usual style of store, but I was dragged in here by a friend…read more First thing I notice was how uncomfortable I feel being in here being a bigger girl, but I expected that going into a lingerie store in Armadale. As a bigger girl, I do not recommend. The staff weren't rude to me, but I felt a bit of that 'what are you doing in here' vibe. I will say the lingerie they have is very very nice. And it would want to be for the price. Some of the garments cost more than I would spend on my groceries for a month! Basically, if you are smaller than a size 12 with lots of money to throw around, this might just be heaven for you. If your not, well, avoid.

Puf 'n' Stuff is easily one of Melbourne's cutest vintage stores! Unlike a lot of second hand…read morestores where you have to trawl through racks and racks of nasty 90's dresses with worn out fabrics, Puf 'n' Stuff is so well curated you get nothing but the good stuff! As Arabella has already mentioned, the clothes here are well organised, so if you've got a particular style you're after then bingo - you just head to the appropriate rack. It's kinda like a time-saving set up, while you're also engaging in a bit of money-saving and of course planet-saving! Awesome. The printed frocks at Puf 'n' Stuff are a real highlight - if you're after a new dress for a picnic or even a day wedding but need to save a few pennies, it's the place to find something fun and unique without ripping out the credit card. I love it!

Gertrude Street boutique Puf 'n' Stuff may sound like a fine purveyor of some pretty illicit…read moresmoking substances, but it's actually a very welcome import from Sydney and hands down one of Fitzroy's best vintage shops. Although Puf 'n' Stuff is good across the board, its range of accessories is particularly noteworthy. After an Art Deco glomesh clutch bag for a ridiculously cheap $65? Go to Puf 'n' Stuff. Fancy a vintage Givenchy LBD for about the quarter of the price of elsewhere? Ditto. One of the most interesting - and individual - things about Puf 'n' Stuff is the way the stock is displayed. Not for Puf 'n' Stuff the hodge podge of stock in a variety of disparate styles and drawn from a maelstrom of eras as per Melbourne's other vintage shops. No, no. Puf 'n' Stuff's stock is displayed almost thematically so you'll find a clutch of polka dot tea frocks next to one another, a small rack devoted entirely to vintage denim shirts, one to crochet and guipure lace and another to fringing. Sure, I may like rifling through the odd mixed rail but Puf 'n' Stuff's clever approach to displaying its stock takes a lot of the guesswork and elbow grease out of vintage shopping, and that, I welcome. Prices are very competitive for what is some pretty premium vintage fashion and staff are a little cursorily friendly but friendly all the same. An incredible vintage shop.

This fashion boutique is at odds with the fast food options and local shopping strip staples…read more However it somehow fits in perfectly. This is the place to head if your after a South Yarra flavoured shopping experience but more down to earth and local. The Four Wicked Women clearly represent a range of sizes as sizes 8 to 18 are stocked here. This spacious and colourful shop entices you in for 'just a look' and then you happily leave arms adorned with bags! The staff are friendly and take the time to find exactly what your looking for. Four Wicked Women is no chain store and naturally the prices reflect this. This is the ideal place to visit if your after a beautiful dress for a wedding or the races, a unique clutch, well made bag or a stylish casual ensemble. Four Wicked Women has women's fashion in Macleod all sewn up!

Woah. I don't think I have ever seen so many clothes in the one place before. Dresses, cardi's,…read moresinglets and jackets - Clear It has it all. But to be honest, I have been inside a million and one times and never walked out with anything. You know how when you drop in to your favourite shop and they have a sale rack and although everything looked pretty a week ago, when it's on that rack it looks a little sad? That's what this whole store is... Everything looks just a little bit sad. I get that it is a clearance centre, but high-price label designers in a bargain store? It just doesn't sit well... Plus, nothing is really that cheap? Unless you consider $85 for a satin singlet cheap. My favourite section of the entire store is the 'damaged' section, where you can usually find the really good, new stuff, but perhaps a button is missing. If you are in this store, head to that rack, everything else might make you cry.

When ever I have friends in town who love a good bargain, I bring them to Clear It on Brunswick…read moreStreet. Although I have to admit that, often I end up buying more stuff than my friends. Once you've been here, you'll wonder why you ever shopped full price! Check out the massive range of samples and out of season fashion from leading brands such as Alannah Hill, Friends of Couture, Gorman, Princess Highway, Dangerfield and Black Friday. Depending on what you're looking for, you can pick up super cheap t-shirts, glamorous dresses ($50 and up) and a truck full of blouses, day dresses, jackets, scarves and hats. It's the bargain hunters dream come true - but remember it's a warehouse store, not a boutique - so you really have to look carefully and dig deep. I'd give yourself at least an hour depending how much you want to spend. The best thing about this place is, you're free to roam about without pesky sales staff following you around.

Most vintage shops seem to stick to the fashion and accessory end of the businesses, leaving the…read moremore ornamental or functional to genuine antique stores. However, the recently opened Gleaners Inc. on Ballarat St in Brunswick is an eclectic mix of clothes, art and crafts and household items. Among the more impressive items I spotted on its' shelves was a genuine Holly Hobbie children's sewing machine, and were I more flushed I would have snatched it up in a heartbeat. It's not just vintage and retro mind, there's also a host of arts and crafts wares made by locals from largely recycled materials. You can get wooden animal magnets, domino brooches, textile placemats and even a Carmen Miranda collage clock to help spruce up your living space. There's also a lot of cute little plastic buttons (some shaped like animals!), necklaces, clutch bags, wall hangings and of course, second hand clothing. The prices are surprisingly low for this kind of establishment, so it's more like a slightly costly but very clean oppie than your snooty, high end vintage chain stores. Definitely worth a browse if you're looking for a gift, into crafts or just happen to be in the area.

There are two things that I know about Glassons: a) that this popular high street retailer is New…read moreZealand's answer to Sportsgirl just as Sportsgirl is Australia's answer to Topshop; and b) that Glassons is largely yucky, with synthetic fabrics and questionable faux fur gilets abounding in a store aimed squarely at wannabe WAGS whose budgets are sadly more Target than Prada and op shop than Topshop. That said, Glassons holds a special place in the hearts of us kiwi girls and has more than the occasional nice piece along with great bikinis year in year out and a weirdly great range of fine merino knitwear. The Spencer Street branch is particularly good for great sale stock alongside a good cross section of current season pieces and although the Glassons website offers free shipping New Zealand and Australia wide, it's always a good idea to try before you guy as Glassons' sizing can be unpredictable.

I am so happy with Brotherhood of St Laurence books, I ordered some books but was watching my…read morespending as I am on a pension, but I wanted books for my Grandkids, so I ordered some and B of St L went above and beyond and added books so I had whole sets, I am absolutely thrilled and I can't thank you enough

Spacious store with a lot of variety and quality items.read more

A little store with a big heart is how I would describe Jolie & Deen on Chapel Street. It's not…read morehigh fashion or designer chic -just a store full of gorgeous fashion and accessories. I love the wide collection of necklaces- from chunky to sweet to sassy and cute. Check out the animal inspired pieces with cheeky birds in birdcages, owls in trees and other furry friends - in sleek silver and other metals. Fashion wise, Jolie & Deen offer a wide range of feminine dresses, short cropped jackets, versatile neutrals and mix this up with cheeky prints so it's never boring. Edgy and a little bit quirky, the feminine pieces encourage you to mix and match and not fall into just one style of fashion. Perfect for the experimental fashion lover. The only thing I don't like is that some pieces are made a little smaller than the average Australian store so I sometimes find something I love but can't wear!

Its all about the Jewellery here! They have the most elegant small gold and silver necklaces and…read morebrackets that are just perfect for everyday wear. A great place to go for a cute thoughtful present. None of the pieces are over the top statement jewellery but they still make everyone say OMG where did you get that? Im a big fan!