At last! Clothes that fit real bodies, don't make you look like you are trying to out do your…read moredaughters and are a reasonable price. Thank you Sketa!

I love Chicci! This shop allows me to feel part of the style savvy Melbourne crowd without breaking…read moremy bank. And they've just made my day today with a trench purchase from the Winter discount rack. I've gone all freaking winter without a classic black trench coat, my old one was frustratingly fluffy and sadly unwearable no matter how many times it was washed or dry cleaned. And getting suckered into buying other treats for myself if I went looking for a trench coat but couldn't find one didn't help my situation. So, halfway through winter and after a long tweed and soft cashmere splurge, I put a restriction on purchasing an essential black jacket until the 2012 winter season. And then today, walking in to grab some things quickly from Coles, I doubled back when I thought I saw a 2011 season, long, black cotton jacket with military buttons for $35. I wasn't seeing things so I've snaffled it up and it now has pride of place in my wardrobe. How lucky was I that the last one in stock was a size 6! I've also bought other bargains from here before, like a pair of dark denim jeans with bright stitching for $20. They've got a large collection of very tiny cocktail dresses for the short and skinny of us. Some of them are Pretty Woman style but if you're going along to one of the Spring Racing Carnival events you might be able to pick up a cheap treat here, which if dressed up with some dazzling accessories could be a winner in the fashion stakes!

Essentially Woman is a great shop that I have only just discovered even though it has been in…read moreCroydon for eight years. I love it for the quirky accessories although the clothing is targeted at older women around their thirties to fifties. The store is packed quite tight full of clothing racks but the owner Yvonne knows where everything is and is a fabulous help. The first time I went there I got a fabulous bright orange bag. It is small and great for carrying a phone and a few coins when I go out. The best part was that it was just $20! A massive bargain considering the quality of the bag itself. Yvonne is also really great when it comes to styling and you will be amazed at how easy it is to spend an hour in here just having a chat. The atmosphere is really warm and friendly, definitely a nice place to visit.

Santai is a little store tucked away behind Pie in the Sky on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in…read moreOlinda. It is rustically decorated with wooden floors, tables, wall and roof. They sell mainly clothes although they have a decent amount of little accessories like bags, jewellery and gloves. My favourite items were the knitted mittens and some colourful hippie-style pants they had hanging on a rack in the corner. The store is well laid out with a round table in the middle and shelves and tables lining the walls of the square building. When I went in, the only staff member was busy with a whole family who had wondered in and was showing them some products they appeared interested in. The staff member didn't acknowledge me, I assume out of her respect for the customers she was currently serving. This wasn't a problem as the store was quite small and it was easy to see if something you were looking for might have been there. The store is open from Friday to Sunday. On Fridays it is open 11-5 and on the weekend it is open from 10-5.

Jolee Boutique stock clothes for women who like a little flair in their closet…read more In fact, the 2 ladies I know with the quirkiest wardrobes (one being my mum) both shop here regularly. Now, I'm not saying they sell gear that would be at home on Lady Gaga, but the stuff isn't your run of the mill "Mother Wear". You wont find beige. If you think your own mum could do with a wardrobe update, cleverly hint at Jolee and who knows, maybe she'll get it.

Sylvia's Fashions is the kind of shop my Mum would love. It is for older women and has a large…read morevariety of styles. There are clothing sizes ranging from size 8- 24 so literally anyone can fit into something from here. As well as the variety of size they also have clothing to suit every occasion with dress, casual and formal options. The staff here are very helpful although they tend to focus their attention on one customer and anyone else will have to wait for quite a while. This can be a little annoying, particularly if you only have a quick question or if you are waiting to pay. If you're the one who is being helped though, it is pretty fantastic. The shop itself is clean and well set out. There is enough lighting and it had a fresh feel. Why only three stars? Well it isn't my kind of shop, but it would be great for people like my Mum who dress differently to me. Also I didn't get served for about ten minutes and there was another lady waiting with me who was getting quite irritated. Otherwise the store is fantastic.

Mannen adds to the "new" Daylesford, which has trendy stores selling things you actually want to…read morebuy (as opposed to the things you think you'll want to buy when you've retired). It means that young(ish) city dwellers can genuinly put Daylesford on the map for a weekend getaway. Mannen has gorgeous clothes made by some slightly obscure but good brands like Scotch & Soda. The fabrics are high quality and luxurious, with terrific textures that you just can't stop touching. I had to restrain myself but walked out with a beautiful grey marle sweater that I've worn dozens of times in the first month since purchase. I love that the items here are things you don't see everywhere (even in the big smoke of Melbourne!) so you can be assured of a purchase that is unique and special.

No longer is Daylesford the home of country-living styled furniture, pot-purri and daggy "shabby…read morechic" nic nacs. With the likes of Maneau Noir coming to the main street, there's some seriously great stores that would look right at home even in the big smoke of Melbourne. This store is dark, moody and sensual. Everything about it feels luxurious and there's plenty on the shelves that I've not seen elsewhere and can image taking home. Unusual clothing items, natural bristle hair brushes and wooden combs, ceramic statues and the most glorious selection of candles that would make a terrific gift.

La Petit Armoire & Quirky Best Bits would perhaps be the classiest of clothing boutiques in the…read morehills. It has two rooms filled elegantly with the latest fashions, designer clothing and cute accessories. The prices cater for everyone - from people like me who think they are rich if they have $20 in their wallet, up to people who can afford the $269 bright orange beach bag that I fell in love with, (and left behind...hint hint). Despite the orange bag being out of my budget I found plenty of other delights to tempt myself with including gorgeous heart outline silver necklaces and a funky pair of red velvet pants that were a steal at just $20. The girl who served me was friendly and welcoming and it was nice to see someone in a fairly up market shop doing work - hanging up clothes, styling the mannequins and generally making sure everything looked good - rather than eyeing me off from behind the counter. It would be right to say I felt very comfortable browsing with no fear that if I touched something alarm bells would go off - quite a pleasant experience. There are two 'rooms' to the shop and in the back one there is a tall gold-framed mirror resting against the wall. I wanted to try something on just to be able to use it - yup, that's how impressive it was. It seems like the place used to be two separate shops - one called La Petite Armoire and the other Quirky Best Bits. I didn't get the feeling that I was leaving one shop and walking into another as I passed under the doorway that links the two, so the owners have done a good job of combining them. The winter trading hours are 10-5 Monday to Friday and 10-5.30 Saturday and Sunday.