The West End Vintage and Designer Markets are on the first Saturday of each month. You'll need to…read moremark into your calendar that you're busy then because trust me, you're not going to want to be anywhere else. This is a place where fashion dreams come true- I should know. I'll never forget the day the caramel brown, knee length, suede, belted jacket of my dreams manifested itself onto a hanger at these markets. Price tag $40. Believe me now? If you like all things vintage, this is THE place to shop- here's why. Some of us get disheartened and feel downtrodden when we walk into an op shop and find that the closest we can get to vintage or retro is a 1990's Target A-line skirt that just might look cute it enough if you pair it with your stripey boat neck tee and cons and put yourself on a bike and ride around the streets (you ride fast enough so people don't notice that you're committing vintage fraud). The good folk who run the stalls at these markets hear your cries for genuine vintage, and travel far and wide to retrieve antique threads for you to peruse and buy. They bring them to one location and create a huge treasure trove that, for those real vintage lovers out there, may bring a tear to the eye. They've got all needs covered. Girls, you'll have a good chance of finding whatever your heart desires. Whether it's a 1960's green, polka dotted wiggle dress, or a 1970's halter sunsuit with heliconia print, or a 1980's metallic black tafetta and satin prom dress- you'd best look here. These markets are quite good for catering for the guys too, which is something other fashion markets sometimes have trouble with. You may be wondering why 'Designer' is included in the market name. Well, it's because outside of selling vintage wares, some people have stalls where they sell their second hand designer threads. They're usually in perfect nick and sold at a reasonable price. By reasonable, I mean cheap. Cheap as chips. The best thing is that the previous owners are selling their goodies direct to you before they're off handed to someone else who'll put the price up to something unbearable. In love yet? Arguably, the best part about these markets is that they're held at the Rumpus Room. It's an irresistible setting. While you're rifling through goods, justifying random purchases (yes, my mum would love that tablecloth with embroidered budgerigars on it) and envisioning yourself in yesteryear's impossibly exquisite clothes, you'll find yourself busting out some of your own vintage dance moves, because the DJs are there all day spinning vinyl- and you can't help but get swept up in it. When you find yourself thinking you could do with a cool beverage, you won't have to go far- you only have to shuffle/ hustle/ do see do/moonwalk a few steps towards a fully stocked bar. Then, when you get tired, you can go toy with your new threads and crockery in the beer garden and watch other market goers and flaneurs enter the chaotic and decadent maze of vintage goods that is the West End Vintage and Designer markets. Go on. Pencil it in. First saturday of every month. Invite your friends, make a day of it.

The Vintage and Designer Markets at Rumpus Room are on the first Saturday of every month. This is a…read moregreat market which I enjoy shopping at. It is not AS vintage as the name makes it out to be. There is only one true authentic vintage stall with another one which sells modern remakes with the occasional authentic piece. But don't get me wrong, these two stalls definitely bring back the vintage! They have great wares at reasonable prices. The designer stalls are fantastic, so many different goodies at great prices. Almost everyone will also have a $2 case where you can pick up a whole new wardrobe if you look hard enough. The drinks from Rumpus Room are a bit pricey and the cocktails can be deadly if they're not prepared by an experienced bartender. But they never object to outside food and drink being brought in. I really love this market, rain or shine it makes for a great day out wether you're alone or with friends.

Hobohemia is a collection of vintage charm, retro kitsch and a truck load of effort from the two…read moremasterminds behind this operation who source the store's wonderments. The items given space on the shelves, floor and outdoor area of this converted cottage are exceptional and have earned their stripes with a story from yesteryear. The range might be smaller than other locales but you know they've been hand selected and vetted. I've admired Hobohemia for a while but what really stamped them in my heart as a great antique, vintage and more store was recently talking to one of the owners Mike about wanting to hunt down old Queenslander doors for a bit of a DIY project. They didn't have any at the time but a few weeks later I got a wonderful message from Mike saying they'd had a few doors come in and was I still on the hunt. It's this commitment to the cause that makes Hobohemia a wonderful delight to visit.

As you're walking up the garden path towards the front door of this eccentric little antique store,…read moreyou feel a little like you're in some kind of gypsy camp thanks to the quirky range of odds and ends littering the yard. It was with great trepidation that I stepped over the threshold, but I was thrilled to find a delightful store packed with treasures. Not only do they have great stuff like vintage rocking horses and rustic old tricycles, but the prices are a lot more reasonable than I expected. It's a must for anyone that likes something a little different in their home.

This seems to me to be the only semi-decent jewellery store in West End. Of course a lot of other…read moreshops in the area have nice jewellery, but in terms of specialist jewellery shops, most of them are small enough that you might mistake them to be stolen from the set of The Hobbit. This one is bigger and better than the rest. The size obviously results in a larger selection, but it's still not a place I would highly recommend or drag my unsuspecting boyfriend past while dropping hints. There's some lovely stuff but I just wasn't mouth agape, struggling to decide which of their items I could justify buying.

The selection of jewellary and watches in Hall's are all OK, but I must admit I was a little…read moreunderwhelmed by the range. I was on a hunt for a new pair of earrings but didn't find anything that really tickled my fancy. The shop attendant was busy talking to a friend so I didn't really get any assistance in that respect. In terms of repairs though, Hall's does a good job for a reasonable price. I've had a watch fixed there before as well as a necklace which had broken as a result of the debauchery of a night out. It's an OK little jewellary store, but not the kind of place I would rave about to friends.

This may be a beautiful store in which to shop for antique jewellery, but a recent unpleasant…read moreexperience there has turned me off. To start with, I was ignored as the shopkeeper was busy with another customer in the adjacent room. When the shopkeeper finally came out to see if I needed help, I was treated condescendingly and as if I were a bother. I simply went in to ask if they could look at some jewellery and tell me whether the stones were precious or not. She told me she doesn't have the expertise to tell whether a stone is precious or not, which is fine, but that I would have to see a valuer who would charge around $80 a piece. When I said that I wasn't after a valuation, simply someone who could tell me whether the stones are real or not, she said, "Well, no service is free, sweetheart." I left, seething, and went into another jeweller in the arcade who was very helpful, looked at my jewellery and was able to tell me what was what. I will be very reluctant to return to Kellie's Antiques.

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 have been eyeing off Lannah Dunn for a little while now, so in an attempt not to get attacked by…read moretypical jewellery retail assistants over the busy Christmas period, I told a little fib when I went into their store in Tattersall's Arcade. They asked if I was browsing for anything in particular, and I told them I was looking for a 21st birthday present for my sister, which isn't for another 6 months so I was simply gaging what they had. Lie. Complete lie. But I wanted to avoid the hard-sell. The assistant was lovely and left me to potter around in the store unattended. The jewellery in Lannah Dunn is stunning. Simple, elegant and stunning. It's a mixture of antique and new pieces with something for everyone. I am a huge fan of their monogram rings and was secretly (and selfishly) shopping for one for myself. They are super reasonable in price starting at $89 for a small silver ring, and upgrades in price according to the size of the face and whether you go for silver, gold or white gold. These would make for an affordable and memorable gift for any young woman. Whether you're shopping for an engagement ring, a present or something special to spoil yourself, Lannah Dunn have a gorgeous range worthy of a swoon. The staff are lovely, and not at all as forward as some other unmentionable jewellery stores. I needn't have told that little lie after all!