Vixen: A retro-monster that swallows you whole and then spits you out some time later, slightly…read morelighter on the cash and a little wiser in the wonderful ways of all that is vintage clothing. This shop has everything - men's, women's, and a kick-arse haul of vintage boots. It's the best place to start any serious hunt for a specific vintage piece, whether it's a dress, a sweatshirt, or something from the amazing range of accessories - gloves, handbags, scarves, and sunnies. Unlike some other large retro clothing shops, the stock at Vixen changes all the time - a testament to it's large fan base that keeps coming in and collecting goodies!

If you're wondering how cool Vixen is - let me tell you a story. A few years ago now, a young…read moreAmerican walked into the store to have a look around, but the store assistant told him Vixen was closing and he would have to come back another time. After sending the man packing and scratching his head, the store assistant would later click that she had sent alt-country superstar Ryan Adams on his way; she was to see him in concert that night. If you're looking for a secondhand store that is packed enough with Americana to entice Ryan Adams, and too cool for him to even get a look-in, Vixen's your place.

Pocket is like the Newmarket branch of MADE in the city. Both stores are owned by the same people,…read moreso it makes sense. It's kind of off the beaten track, behind Rialto cinemas in that little area on Kent Street that seems to be growing more and more popular by the day. It's standalone and the layout of the store is quite nice. They stock similar things to MADE - notably APC. They also do Karen Walker, Standard Issue, House of Holland eyewear, etc. There's men's and women's clothes and accessories, and as well as new, they stock some vintage. The staff were nice, friendly without being overbearing. I tried on a few things, walked out with a pair of really stonewashed 90s Levi's. I'd say the store fits somewhere inbetween Area 51/Black Box and Fabric in terms of prices and brands. My fashion/shopping expert friends thought I should give the place three stars but I think it's a bit above 60%, and extra points because I bought something. Worth a visit.

Another new discovery of mine and new favourite, I left this store with my wallet a little sore me…read morethinks, but who cares I got such lovely things! This is a brand new store which is part of the new street complex in Newmarket. It's a really lovely place, laid out beautifully and stocks labels such as Status Anxiety, Louis Vuitton, APC and Karen Walker as well as boasting a pretty awesome vintage section! Their prices were really reasonable and that is what I loved so much about this place, they hadn't conformed to the Newmarket trend and overpriced everything. I purchased a lovely leather bag for only $150 which I though was a real bargain, as well as one of Karen Walker's new season key-rings for only $29! The two staff working there was so nice to talk to and I felt really comfortable with them, not looked down upon which is sadly common in upmarket boutiques. I knew instantly that I had found my new favourite shop and I'm probably going to have to go back tomorrow and get those boots....yay!

Aunty Mavis feels just like that - it's as if you've stepped into your elderly aunt's house where…read moreeverything is a jumble of treasures waiting to be discovered. Everything in the shop gives you the feeling that it's been hand-picked especially to bring a smile to your face. The shop is filled with excellent vintage crockery that's old enough to be quaint, but not yet old enough (or rare enough) to be really pricey. Think the mid-century stuff, like the less-collectable Crown Lynn. There's also a range of delectable linen and books, clothes (mostly from the 1970s), and household bits and pieces.

Buy these kind of things here:…read more 1. Vinyl travel bags with cute Air New Zealand logos and really great teal colourways. 2. Ancient dolls. 3. Plates. Lots of classy china. Also lots of Crown Lynn for people who really love to eat off of expensive plates which are sometime kind of ugly but are always genuine 'heritage pieces'. 4. Wooden stuff. Eg: old spice rack. 5. Old books and 'boys and girls annuals'. 6. Dresses for girls that have flowers or patterns or whatever. 7. Teaspoons. Awesome teaspoons with the queen on them. 8. Possibly hot water bottle covers. 9. Old toasters. 10. Well designed clocks. 11. Whimsical design pieces. 12. Those things where you store your bread. 13. Maybe gollywogs? At the very least, go there to look that the owner lady's really great hair and glasses.

This place was charming and drew me in with a great window display. And there appeared to be a…read moregreat amount of inventory. Had I had more time, I would have perused the racks. Unfortunately, I was in a rush. But if you're in the neighborhood, check out Tatty's if you have time.

Tatty's really hits the mark between a great mix a secondhand designer gear and other,…read moreless-designer but unique pieces, often from overseas. It's a lovely place to pop in and have a rummage as there always seems to be lots new in, plus they play awesome music. I reckon the best buys are to be had down the back of the store, where there are racks of things squished close together. Perhaps people can't be bothered to shove them aside, or they don't have the upper arm strength, I'm not sure. But it always ends up being where I find the best goodies!

If you want funky fashion thats affordable then this is a place to go.My friend and I walked past…read morehere a few years ago and have been going back to get bits and bobs ever since. Second hand items that are well looked after and well maintained, they have good brands and a good selection. The prices are reasonable and its easy to find some awesome buys. There is an awesome 21dollar rack where you can find some great little deals Bright and light fitting rooms, with loads of space for taking multiple items in with you. The sales staff are lovely and very helpful.

Finally, I've discovered a second-hand clothing boutique actually worthy of the title 'Boutique.'…read moreEncore is everything you want it to be: an absolute treasure trove of used designer clothes, well priced and well ordered. What separates this store from the others such as Recycle Boutique and Finders Keepers is that they actually make it feel boutiquey rather than op-shoppy in there. This means luxurious Laura Ashley-papered walls, funky lighting and spacious changing rooms and staff who can help you pick out outfits and advise you on almost anything in the store. The brands they sell can be anything from Vivienne Westwood to Kiwi favourites Karen Walker and Zambesi, all at massively discounted prices. Of course, you're still going to be paying more for the privilege of owning these items than you'd pay for lesser quality items in a chain store, but what you'll get in return are pieces that will last you a lifetime...or indeed items you'd probably be able to resell again for a tidy profit.

Worst place to sell your items, terrible communication and dodgy behaviour from staffread more

I have shopped and sold items here over many years and they have gone to the dogs. Items you have…read morefor sale are given a short time to sell, if they don't sell you need to check the expiry date on the website, go into the store, find your items and take them back. It gets worse, if your items don't sell, they become the property of Recycle Boutique at which they might donate OR resell and keep the profits. It's complete BS. Be wary and read the fine print before selling with them.

This has got to be my favourite place to shop. It's sinister. It's grubby. It's dangerous…read more (seriously you can snag your arm or leg on a dirty old metal thingy and get tetanus) but it's also enticing and exciting. The proprietor is a piece of work. I don't even know what I mean by that. Maybe I mean "a work of art" if that art is alternative, and an acquired taste. Don't go there. Leave all the treasures for me. Take cash!. Don't expect change! Don't expect small talk! Don't expect a friendly smile and warm handshake... but you just never know. PS You know how to haggle, right???

What more can you say about Super Trash, other than the following things:…read more 1. It's called Super Trash. 2. It looks like a kind of derelict world war two bunker. 3. It has the words "no eftpos" painted about the door in the kind of demented scrawl of a possessed child. It's the perfect place to go if you love masochistically trawling through dirty, dusty, rickety piles of other people's discarded crap. I am down with the cause. I once bought a ladder from Super Trash for a show I was doing. It was wooden and shitty and great. I was able to climb up and down that ladder every day for about three weeks and it didn't break. It was a friggen miracle. I love that ladder. It only cost twenty bucks.

Fast & Loose has been around for as long as I can remember, although in saying that I probably…read moredidn't venture over to what was the very scary K Rd when I was younger and without a car. But whenever i'm in the area, I do try and pay the store a visit. It's really small but full to the brim of vintage clothing and accessories. There are awesome hawaiian shirts for guys and girls, and corduroy, velvet, leather and paisely everything. There's also a lot of denim - you coudl almost drown in the denim cut offs. Just try and only leave with one, I dare you. They get new stuff in all the time, so it's worth it to pop in every now and then. The service is chill and helpful, and it's really well priced. Being in St Kevins Arcade, it's surrounded by cool shops full of second-hand, vintage and designer threads you won't see every Tom, Dick and Harry wearing. So spend a while and stroll around. It's a nice change of scene from the usual Auckland.

I love this place. It's where I take my "quality used goods" or whatever they call it on their ads…read more Invariably I am distracted by something to buy so I think it's a win-win situation. And my husband can't even really disagree because it's mere dollars of retail therapy after all and it's for a good cause! So this place is pretty well stocked; I guess it's the socio-economics of its surroundings, yup the shopping here is good. There's books, furniture (more than you usually find at Sally stores), china, bric'a'brac (such a great word/s), shoes, household goods, a lot of junk and a lot of clothes. Maybe because I know it so well I find it easy to shop here but even if you don't it's all laid out well. The staff are really nice, just beware if you reserve something from the window display - the right arm does not always know what the other limbs are doing!

I am absolutely flabbergasted at the number of good reviews for this place. How can anyone go back…read moreto this store and stomach the prices? Every single other Salvation Army store in the country (not to mention the Hospice and Red Cross shops) reasonably price their items because they were donated to them - not Dominion Road. I've never in my life seen such expensive homewares and furnishings at a shop like this. If you're willing to pay for donated goods, that's fine, but bargain hunters should avoid this place like the plague. The other Sallies stores (including one about 2kms up the road) are better stocked and the hospice and Red Cross are better charities to give your money to.