Such a brilliant shop for all your underwear, socks and essential items. They might not always have…read moreevery item in your size but they have a great range of top brands on sale all the time. The new layout is also much better with plenty more space and a easier shopping experience.

Handmade High Street throws together some really great local crafters and creators of all things…read morepretty and fun. The first things that caught my eye was a crocheted rose-shaped brooch with quite a few other similar ones to keep it company. I found delight in the handmade jewellery and recycled accessories including hairpins made out of old buttons and old teacups being transformed into candle holders, which is something I would never have thought to do. They also had one of the very lovely dresses that is so identifiable as one of Rachel Burke's I Make My Day projects, which is surrounded by a mountain of handmade things to choose from like tin earrings and very flamboyant floral hairbands that are just gorgeous. I was most impressed with earrings that were fashioned out of origami designs. Some of the things in here are so original and it's so nice to see support for local crafters. One of the back shelves advertises renting a space in the store so other artists can sell their wares. As I was walking out I laughed out loud at the cute new spin on bottle top jewellery when I saw bottle tops printed with vintage pictures and resold as necklaces. I think that's a really cute and unique idea. Another item Handmade High Street currently sells is a product by Reclaimed Records, who make old records into new products like notepads and use only recycled paper. A recycled record notepad will set you back $45 but hey, you are paying for an old record. I like what this place has going on. They've got some really great pieces and I see a lot of potential for the artists who showcase their wares here.

Kath Chownston, one of three brains behind Handmade High Street, said that she wanted to provide a…read morespace for artists and craftspeople to easily sell their wares. Markets are often exhausting, subject to the elements, and aren't a very reliable way to get the money coming in if you're selling your goods in this fashion. The internet is a great way to get your stuff out there, but still, she went one further and opened a store- for the good of everyone! For her, for the people who rent space in her store, for the person who happens to pop in for a look and take away something local and unique. For the interested artist or craftsperson- the way the rent system works at Handmade High Street works is that there are small 'cubes' (shelving space) that are $20 per month. If you do larger scale work, clothing for example, and you have a rack that you'd like to have in store, it might cost you around $200 per month. The rental price is subject to how big and how much of the work there is, and whereabouts you want it placed in the store. There's some great stuff there too. The beads by Patti Pennisi made me want for the ocean, the glass work of Cairo Made That was gorgeous, and I couldn't help but want to take home some scented soy wax melts by Lisa Macnab. There's not the tired repeat of like works in there either; there's great diversity. Go in and support a new local business that supports it's locals. Handmade High Street. Remember that name.

This menswear shop manages to pull off a bit of 'discount outlet' vibe while still managing to feel…read morehigh end (well, at least to me). They stock all the conventional standbys in business wear as well as some cool variations on the traditional which will appeal to the fashion forward corporate types. I went there to buy a couple of new shirts before a job interview a few years ago and came away with two shiny new additions to my wardrobe and surprisingly, change from $100. One of the finds, a fine white cotton number with a small collar and buttons down to the navel, has become one of my favourites for its casual yet stylish look and comfortable feel. Oh and yes, I got the job.

We walked in not needing a Thing. But what we Found was the…read moremost beautiful, quality menswear. My son fell in love with suit pants and the were tailored to him on the spot. The women (yes, three women) who waited on us, were so warm and lovely! We will definitely be back! Thank you for a terrific shopping experience!

Barcode's a funky, modern little boutique in the Valley selling clothes, homewares, and…read moreaccessories. You can get some pretty awesome sunglasses, hectically cool phone covers, and some great vintage-style clocks. I'm loving how old-school alarm clocks are making a massive resurgence, and Barcode has these and more funky home furnishings to really jazz up any place. There's kind of a bit of everything in this place, so it's hard to pinpoint just one awesome feature. The way it's furnished just reeks of cool with dark floors and a ridiculously appealing chandelier that just casually hangs around the middle of the store. This is a great place for giftware with just the right amount of Valley arrogance, but not so much as to detract from its appeal. The clothes are edgy and fresh, and this store seems like it has a lot of potential. Monday and Tuesday they are only open by appointment. Find them on Facebook for a look into their stock and the Valley store setup. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barcode-Space-Australia/151544388194557?sk=wall.

It really is quite a random store, this Barcode Space. At first I thought it was a cool place to…read moreget rare imported toy figurines... But upon entering the store, I find that is has clothes, shoes as well as accessories for men and home. Now, that I think of it, it's an eclectic mixture of mans cool items. Home decor suitable for man. Clothes, shoes and accessories suited for man and everything in between suited for... Man oh man. I felt jipped. It looks like a really hip place inside and out. What I don't get, is why they only allow appointments for Monday and Tuesday? Perhaps they hardly get customers on that day, therefore it works out cheaper to not have staff working a full day unless needed? How boutique of them. If you're looking for a gift for a brother, male cousin, male friend or boyfriend/hubby, then check this place out. If they're not into the clothes, I'm sure they'll like the cool accessories or funky home decor.

Swop fills a gap sorely needed in Brisbane. Where Sydney is peppered with boutique vintage clothing…read morestores, Brisbane tends to have clothing collections mothballed in the dark corners of antique furniture and collectibles warehouses. While Swop advertises that they will take high end or trendy fashion, when you get up the stairs you will definitely feel you stepped back in time. A sweep of the hand over any track will give you sensations of old: Terry toweling dresses, velour pants and jackets, fur collars, stiff gloweave, lame by the kilometre, rustic polyesters (you know what i mean! Polyesters just don't feel that way now!!!) and linen linen linen. Swop is perfection. There will be no mothballed or mustiness here. Every thing is laid out logically and aesthetically. It's uncluttered but well stocked. The men's section is at least a third of the store (speak to any man who frequents op shops... A 1:2 ratio is extraordinary). Don't expect op shop prices, and good on em too. The better run Swop is the longer we get to shop there. I spotted two fantastic condition retro wool coats at $40 and $60, and a classic symmetrical equestrian theme scarf for $20. So again, realistic prices to run their business, but of course they only stock good quality and interesting items. You will find: clothes, hats, shoes, bags, belts, denim, leather. Probably more but I'll have to find out another day.

Really nice VINTAGE clothing just a bit more pricey than I thought. Plays really good music and…read moregreat overall vibe. I recommend going if you're looking for shirts, dresses or hats :)

I didn't know what was going on in this shop. The design and layout reminded me strongly of a skate…read moreor surf shop featuring predominantly men's clothing, but what they actually sell is pretty much every item of Bonds clothing your family could need; men's, women's, kids and baby clothes can all be found here. It's a fairly odd store, with the mismatching produce and look of the shop, as well as the fact that the carpet reminded me strongly of my school clothing store, not to mention the name confusion - the store actually seems to be called Manna but the website states that it is in fact Coolshirts. Regardless of all this, the service is super friendly, you won't get better anywhere else.

If you haven't been to Apartment before, it can be a little task to find. On the first level of a…read morebuilding that looks like it would be filled with, well, apartments, is this men's clothing store. It was recommended to me by a friend when I said I was in a pickle finding something for my partner for Christmas. Although I didn't find anything this time I will definitely be taking him to Apartment to check it out for himself. The long thin store stock designs mostly from Japan, as well as men's shoes, magazines, hair products and cologne. The clothing is functional and funky. Don't be fooled though, they put all the small sizes on the racks but there are more at the back of the store. There's usually only one or two of the same item hung up at the same time. Despite the high prices, these are the kinds of clothes you can't really find anywhere else in Brisbane. If you are a fashion forward young man, or you have one in your life, I definitely suggest giving Apartment a look. Don't be overwhelmed with the prices, because these kinds of clothes are investment pieces that will last a life time if looked after.

Apartment is one of the only decent men's clothing stores left in Brisbane, this store is hidden…read moreaway on Charlotte street (hiding from the fast fashion peasants perhaps), and sells brands that are hard to find outside of Melbourne/in Australia. A lot of their products are imported directly from Japan; Neighborhood, W Taps, Comme des Garcons and Head Porter to name a few brands. Prices reflect the quality and exchange rates of the garments so save up your pennies and buy yourself some premium threads from Apartment.

This is a mega Cotton On store which has Kids, Free, Body and Rubi sections! The store is modern…read moreand spaced out so you're not squeezing past people or displays, there are great sales racks, and the customer service is excellent :)