First impressions - hey this is great ! A thorough look through and sadly nothing for me on this…read moreauspicious Saturday in Spring . But hey that's not to mean someone won't be dropping of that wish dress or unwanted Marc Jacobs bag ? Will they ? I love the idea of clothes recycling at the end of day everybody wins , Stores get money , people dropping off clothing maybe get a small percentage and if the store has a heart they take leftovers to the city mission so a homeless soul can get kitted out in a Versace jacket ! #winning

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.

There's this bright pink sign catching your attention on Cascades Road, which immediately signals…read morethis is no mechanic shop along a busy industrial district. What a Girl Wants is a second hand store, but packed with top quality bits and pieces. There are bags, clothes, shoes, books, furniture and ornaments, all geared towards the classy women of East Auckland. I thoroughly enjoyed having a browse, and picked up a nice singlet for a whopping $2! It's next to a coffee place and also an antique store, so your vintage tastes can be quenched, along with a nice spot of coffee afterwards. You can just park on the gravel outside, which is really handy. The shop assistant was friendly enough, and the way things are set out is really eye catching. It's awesome to see some creative thought going into the layout of a thrift store, considering most of the time, you have to rummage to find anything particularly useful. Here, it's all on display, in order of size and product. Good stuff.

What a Girl Wants would be a solid four star shop if it weren't for the staff…read more The two times I've been in I've wanted to stay longer, they have some amazing bargains and a very well organised shop, and overall the quality of their stock is excellent. The problem is, the two ladies who work there were very, very loudly talking politics both times I went in. As there's a dance school directly above them, it's fair enough that they need to raise their voices a little to be heard. But maybe don't stand on opposite sides of the shop? Or don't go on loudly about how much you dislike beneficiary bludgers who just sit around all day doing nothing. I mean, you're running a second hand shop, people...perhaps put two and two together and come up with four?

I love this Tattys for all the reason why I hate it's older sister on Ponsonby Road:…read more- really great selection of clothes without the tag being the reason why it's in there. However, still got great labels coming through all the time. I've bought cheap Karen Walker and Comme De Gacon here as we'll as, - vintage: I have a vintage store, so see vintage go by all the time, but found the dress of my dreams at this Tatty's - good music that gets me groovin' Staff are still sullen and unfriendly though. But nothin' ain't gonna touch my 5 stars as every time I find something that I love!

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.

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.

Second Debut has long been a great preloved clothing shop, and happily it was recently taken over…read moreby the very lovely Mary and Harriet, who have given it a new boost of energy. You have to come here next time you're in this part of town. I'd say it's even worth a special trip if you're serious about your preloved clothes shopping, or if you want to have some clothes sold on commission for you. Second Debut focuses on the mid to upper end of preloved clothes - its not all very high end, but you won't find cheap clothes in here. It's more like quality over quantity here. The new owners alos seem to have brought more of a fashion focus to the shop, which is great. Aside from women's clothing, they have a well-edited range of handbags, jewellery, and shoes. I never walk out empty handed!

Whoa what a cool store- this store is what I would like my future apartment to look like with it's…read morecool vintage mix and match-ness of random objects and no rhyme or reason organisation that somehow just works. So many cool things to browse- it's like a garage sale combined with an op shop with a high end vintage store housed in a big warehouse. Has kitchen things, furniture, clothing, handy-man DIY knobs and pretty much anything under the sun as well as commercial products. Well worth a look!

We went here today in search of a desk, and sadly, didn't find one. Well, we did, but it kind of…read morehad a SOLD sticker hanging off it, and when we enquired as to whether it was actually sold (since the sticker looked old and was hanging on by a corner), no one seemed to know, or wanted to find out. We had a look around anyway, and this place is a hipster's paradise. Most of it is genuinely old, and slightly overpriced. I got two sewing patterns for $2 apiece (and they weren't even that great), and other op shops are selling them for around 50 cents each. We also grabbed a couple of spanners for $2 each, and I got some zips and piping for another $2. There is a large section of stuff that isn't secondhand and is brand new, and is extremely expensive. I saw a set of double bed sheets with foxes on them for $214. I know foxes are "in" right now, but seriously. Obviously very much taking advantage of the whole "vintage vibe" that people are loving right now, and good on them I guess, but I was looking for genuinely old, unfashionable secondhand stuff, and of that there just wasn't that much, sadly.

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.

Aunty Mavis is the home of antiques, retro and curios in St Kevin's Arcade. If you're a total…read moresucker for Crown Lynn crockery like me, Aunty Mavis is the place to go. Alongside Mavis' collection of crockery is a wide array of furniture, furnishings, collectables and the odd creepy doll staring at you, willing you to simultaneously wander in and stay the hell away. Ardent bargain bin diggers will probably hate the prices, but if you're in the market for something cute, retro and often New Zealand made, Mavis will have it... you just might have to pay a bit for it.

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!

I love this store!! I went here on a whim because I was desperate to get stylish clothing on a…read morestudent budget. I finally found the place. I felt as though the Red Cross and other op shops were too basic. Then there were some that had nice clothes but were too expensive. This store has a great selection. The cheapest item I purchased was $4.99. There may have been things that were less expensive. Don't take my word for it. Judge for yourself.

Savemart has just committed the last slap in the face to its customers by removing the essential…read moretrolleys. There is nothing to put your purchases into! And this is a store with thousands of items and acres of store space. Customers are not important to them, just look at the lack of change room mirrors and hooks. Three items! This used to be an all day fun and serious shopping day for me, now I am boycotting it.

This place is cool! On many levels. It is a shop made up of a collective of textile artists,…read moreworking to create clothing, jewellery, gift ideas, woodwork, wall art and much more. The small group all live on Waiheke Island and exhibit their wares for sale in the shop, and I am told, they all help out in different ways running the business. Many take turns shopkeeping, some work behind the scenes on a more business level, basically everyone supports in some way or another. It is a great example of a community working together. It is cool because of what and how they produce this art. As the name suggests, the art is all created from recycled materials and the quality is high. My friend, a visitor from overseas, bought a wonderful wall hanging of a Tiki, carefully stitched and created with care. This is a great place to buy a unique gift if you are looking for something outside the square. Don't go to Waiheke without checking this place out.

Upcycle Waiheke is gorgeous. Bursting with community spirit, creativity, and ingenuity, it's a…read moremust-see if you're on the island. Not only is it packed with inspired, locally-made goodies, the prices are incredible. I would have gone completely overboard on my last visit, if not for the thought of hauling it all back home on the ferry! Artsy presents and decorative items for the home abound, but my absolute favourites were the recycled-fabric hobby horses and the beautifully made three-tier cake stands, made with none other than vintage plates, of course! The quality of the upcycled goods is ever so slightly uneven, but on the whole most things are very professionally finished.