A brand new store to grace the plethora of retail stores on High Street is Angelique. Inspired by a…read moreParisian salon, the newcomer that opened in early October 2011, carries a wide range of jewellery (including weddings jewellery), accessories and home décor. Don't let the many chandeliers scare you however intimidating they can be. This decadent store carries a large collection of beautiful pieces that won't burn a hole in your pocket. Check out the jewelled dangling earrings, ornate necklaces and Victorian style stretch bracelets. If you're looking for affordable bling to dress up an outfit for a wedding, a formal event or the races, this is a must-visit. Angelique also carries a selection of hairpins to give your crowning glory that finishing touch. Whatever your fancy, the vintage detailing, hand set crystal pieces and old world glamour will serve your well, for years to come. And since all pieces are nickel free, this store will delight even the most sensitive skin.

Walk in Wardrobe on the main shopping strip of Belgrave is a really groovy store that only stocks…read moreitems that have been pre-loved. Its owner is pro-recycling and manages to find some fantastic items that don't look second hand at all. The prices in here can be a little high considering most of the products are second hand but the environment in the shop is fantastic and there are a lot of great finds in the one place...so it wont stop me going back. There are groovy vintage accessories and vintage looking accessories like button rings and hand knitted brooches. These are around $15 and up. The shop itself is decorated in vintage posters and pictures of vintage fashion. Walking in here is enough to get you hooked on vintage and the idea of recycled clothing. It is open from 10am to 5pm every day although it is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays. The shop is a really great place to go and get something that no one else will have and the staff here are really friendly and love talking vintage. Get on down and check it out!

More up the alley of "Boutique Recycled Store" than an Op-Sop, Walk In Wardrobe is one of those…read moreshops that seemingly plunder regular op-shops for the cool stuff then sell it for an inflated price. The cons of these stores are the feeling you get, knowing that if you'd found these items at the Salvos you'd pay half the price, however the Pros are that you don't have to do the hunting. The clothes are usually of the 60's & 70's period, with great shirts and pants for the guys, plus heaps of funky vintage dresses for the ladies. With the prices as they are, your usual trip here will see you grab one or two items, as whatever the price, the stuff is always good and worth trying on for size.

Hello Gorgeous is a unique women's clothing store, tehy have a great range of fashionable dresses,…read moreskirts, blouses and coats. Their range is very girly and feminine lots of soft, dusky colours, flowy material and sweetly patterned garments. The store is set up well making it very easy to browse through the entire collections, the garments are usually separated into colours and arranged accordingly. Hello Gorgeous also has a range of quirky shoes and accessories that are all very unique in appearance allowing the shop to have a real boutique and chic kind of feel. The staff here are also very friendly they don't harass you like some clothing stores, but are happy to help you out or offer suggestions.

Mouche is a more upmarket version of its distant cousins Diva, Lovisa and Collette, providing…read morereally cute pieces of jewellery at very reasonable prices. What kills me here though is the bags- they are real leather and absolutely beautifully made. The bags are generally upwards of $100 so more of an investment piece (for someone broke like myself) than the disposable offerings of its peers. The presentation at Mouche is really appealing, with everything displayed really thoughtfully. Definitely a great spot to buy a gift if you are looking for something special and unique that won't leave you sobbing over your credit card statement.

Used to be a fantastic company but since they got some traction on Instagram the business has…read morebecome more ego driven. Prices are diabolical and since they stopped doing silver I have no interest

I bought C. a birthday present of a sterling silver winged heart on necklace from Metal Couture. I…read morelike the goth/rockabilly style of their jewelery. I also like the buying something that has been locally made and not mass-produced in some factory. Some of Metal Couture's jewelery is over the top, rings like cathedrals, necklaces in the shape of bird skulls, or earrings like chandeliers, but all of it is very finely crafted and incredibly detailed. This is not cheap costume jewelery, like much of the stuff in this style. It is handmade in the studio behind the shop. I was shown studio, it is like an alchemists laboratory with animal skulls and other items. Unfortunately the jeweler, William Llewellyn Griffiths was out on that day, so I wasn't able to see the master at work. The style of their jewelery is reflected in the shop fittings, lots of red velvet drapes and the large gilt frame where the jewelery is displayed. Metal Couture has the aesthetics of the decadence. The silver heart is hallmarked and silver chain is a good weight and thickness. And most importantly C. loves it. It really fits with her style and looks so good on her.

Holdsworth Bros Jewellers in Knox City shopping centre seriously annoys me. The whole shop is super…read morepretentious and la-di-dah with polished wood and gold trimmings on just about everything. The glass is so shiny you can even use it as a mirror - be prepared for an annoyed glance for staff members if you so much as breathe on the glass however. The staff (and the pristine cleanliness and obvious wealth) are what deters me from this shop. I have never actually set more than three footsteps down inside due to pure intimidation. The day I did take those few steps I was met with a staff member dolled up to the nines behind the counter. She slowly raised her head, looked me up and down just as slowly and then looked away. The only other person in the shop was a customer who was similarly dressed to the staff member and was being shown a variety of wedding bands by a male staff member. Immediately my jeans and a t-shirt felt out of place and I backtracked hastily out. It shouldn't matter whether or not you can afford the items in a shop, you should never be made to feel so uncomfortable by staff that you actually leave before looking at anything. I have never wanted to go back since. The prices are exorbitant and it is clear they are trying to attract wealthy or upper society customers. There is nothing bad about the shop itself, I just wouldn't recommend it to the average shopper.

I visited the store on a recent trip to Melbourne...the place was immaculate! The jewellery was…read morealso stunning and there was a great selection to choose from. I was on a meter but had a quick chat with Tim who was really friendly and definitely knew his trade inside out and answered all my questions. I'll be heading back for certain!

This is a fantastic little boutique - the clothing is by a local designer and her family runs the…read moreshop. Their dresses will flatter any figure, plus they will do free alterations on your purchases (if needed) The staff is genuinely helpful without being pushy - I originally overlooked a couple dresses that wound up looking the best on me! They have many fun girlie accessories, too - jewelry, fascinators, patterned tights, etc. Prices are very reasonable - definitely go in if you need a new dress (for pretty much any occasion).

My brother and I used Antonia at Pendullum for our partners engagement rings (referral from our…read moremother). We could not have had a better experience, Antonia was perfect. Respectful, professional, very accommodating and will do her best to make everything work for what you want. Highly recommended.