Much, much more than just ok, OK OK are a boutique fashion store catering to the laid-back but…read morestyle-conscious urban dresser with a social conscience. Halfway down a gorgeous, little walkway that always makes me feel like I'm on holiday when I walk along it, OK OK stands out in all its pure whiteness. You might also be drawn in by a rack of clothes placed just outside the store, very enticing indeed. The OK OK look is relaxed, sportswear-inspired pieces teamed with a basics range, all made Melbourne, and mixed with international design-directed pieces. Strictly speaking, boys' stuff is upstairs and girls' stuff downstairs, but the styles are deliberately unisex so its worth checking out the whole shop.

OK OK is an Melbourne based fashion label founded in 2007, with the aim to create Australian-made…read morebasics. The retail space is the extension of le internets and web store. The old wives tale about the label is that the stockings and hosiery is made in Brunswick close by, from what also runs as a compression bandage factory! Absolute madness aside, every attempt is made to keep the goods' origin south of the equator. The space itself is a two floor masterpiece. found in the quaint pedestrian lane named Sparta, the shop appears rather quietly in black and white. When you open the door the first thing you notice is the shallow nature of it. You can see the back wall easily, and your eyes are drawn to the staircase off to one side. Upstairs the le mens, downstairs is le womens. Many of the fits are unisex, so don't feel precious about checking out the whole store. The quality of goods is amazing - tops and bottoms aplenty with accessories and shoes in the mix as well. Those found behind the counter are delightfully helpful in talking about the pieces and helping chose (and helping you walk away with less money than you began with), and if the conversation lasts long enough will offer some insight into the nightlife of Brunswick and Melbourne. They're so nice they helped us book accommodation with a friend of theirs in Tasmania! Best shoe shopping trip EVER!

Don't make the mistake I did by going up just one level and thinking you found the store and been…read moreshocked by every shirt is $300+, just keep heading upstairs and you can raise your jaw from the sticker shock just one level below. My style is usually minimal and this store hits all the dots and considering average prices in Oz this place is quite reasonable for quality clothing and good style. I am going to Berlin and Sweden soon, and I got inspired from some of the labels to look out for on my trip. The hidden factor makes me feel just that bit more special, since I walked by this place who knows how many times without realizing its presence.

Somewhere is a men's and women's fashion store that sells clothing by local and international…read moredesigners. It also has a gallery space that showcases the work of emerging Australian artists. The clothes at Somewhere are sleek, simple, and very on trend. The menswear section is mostly stocked with jeans, chinos, plaid shirts and pocketed t's. The prices range widely, but in general, it's quite well priced when compared to many of Melbourne's similarly styled and themed fashion stores. Somewhere also has a very decent selection of shoes and accessories, like hats, ties, sunglasses and scarves. The staff are great (helpful and attentive, but genuine with their recommendations and not pushy).

Right off the bat, I need to disclose that I know the proprietors, and attended the business'…read moreopening night many months ago. Kapd is probably Melbourne's best specialised cap and other casual head-wear shop, and is based in the heart of Bay Street, Port Melbourne. If you like sports, are looking for a present for someone who does, or you just feel like getting a trendy/out-there/flamboyant/casual or any other style of cap, this is the place. With Jade and Dave knowin all there is to know about caps and the various styles, makes, sizes, brands, piecing-together and God only knows what else, a visit is well worthwhile. They also embroider caps with logos, letters and anything else your heart desires. Keep them in mind for future team or business needs. If hats are not your thing, get down there to meet Baylee, Jade and Dave's pet dog. Baylee is ace. I happen to have purchased a beanie at Kapd. It is warm and lovely.

Clemente & Talarico was a great find. It's a higher-end boutique of men's clothing and accessories…read more The style is very old school Americana....lots of muted plaids, hentleys and fedoras with a feather. Most of the brands were their own, but you could tell nothing was cheap or mass made here and the clothing while modern had a stated vintage feel to them. It's refreshing to find items you won't find at Meyer or David Jones. I found the staff to be overly friendly and helpful. I wound up buying a Wills leather travel bag here. Wills is a leather company from Oregon in the states and is not so easy to find in Melbourne. Worth a visit to the Windsor end of Chapel street to visit.

I'm new to Melbourne from over seas and need to do a very sizable wardrobe refit after two years of…read moretraveling. Paul at Clemente & Talarico was welcoming to my wife and I from the moment we walked in, dressed, generously, not our best. He took us through their clothing, was attentive without being overbearing, was not pushy, and very honest about what he saw that worked or didn't for my body. I'll go back again and again. They design and make many of their own clothes, and they are both unique and fashionable. Thanks for a great experience Paul! Oh, and Henry, the shop dog, is as chill and adorable as can be.

Ok, I would only shop at French Connection in Australia during a sale - or after some kind of…read morewindfall - owing to their kind of ridiculous prices, but if you are a fan of the brand - and accepting of their quality to price ratio - then the French Connection store within Melbourne Central is definitely the place to go. A great selection of the brand's women's clothing and accessories? Yep. Awesomely flattering lighting and just enough changing rooms? You got it. A seemingly omnipresent sale rack which makes French Connection's sometimes outlandishly priced clothes almost good value? You betcha. For French Connection fans its Melbourne Central store is a total fashion no brainer.

The perfect store. One of the best things about shopping as a guy is that you know what you need…read moreand where to get it. You walk into a shop with a mission and within 1 to 2 minutes have already walked out with what you came for in hand. Every time I have come to Incu it has been successful and is my first port of call when I need a new t-shirt. A really funny story actually happened to me here. I came in to buy a pair of booties (shoes) and when I got home for some reason my brother tried them both on and noticed that one was larger than the other. I went back to Incu the next day and explained the situation, at that point the store clerk apologised for the mistake and let me know that they would exchange the larger shoe for the smaller one. I told him that would not be necessary, I would like to purchase the other odd pair of shoes and my brother would take the two large and I the two small. To this day we look great in our matching booties.

I've always walked past this store and wished that I had a reason to visit and browse through the…read moremen's clothing and accessories. It always looked so painfully hipster and cool and everyone knows I'm a closet wannabe hipster. Yesterday I had reason to finally venture inside, on the hunt for a man-friend gift. I loved the clothing and yes it's a bit on the spendy side, but I'll live off lentils and dried crackers for a week if it means my man-friend can walk around looking snazzy and I get to bask in the gloriousness that is his hipster-cool aura. More than the great collection of threads, what impressed me was the amazing service. Helpful and patient as I asked questions and looked at various sizes of the one sweater, the dude that served me was a delight. I really appreciated his kindness and genuine interest in me as he took the time to wrap my gift. For those interested: the man-friend loved the sweater, it fit perfectly and apparently I am "the best ever". Win huh?

Shop local, buy local then fly international in your new outfit designed for travellers…read more Obus is for women who like to get around (the world, that is) with clothes made from quality fabrics designed to travel well and for longevity. The Obus look is classic, urban and practical - it'll be the garment you pull out of your wardrobe again and again, and wear easily with comfort and ease. It ain't cheap around these parts but you'll spend your cash happy in the knowledge that everything here is designed and manufactured in Melbourne, and therefore that you're supporting your local talent and our economy. Oh, and also that you look totally fabulous.

Obus stuck really fun, bright, playful women's clothing. They only stock Obus label clothes, as…read morewell as some other labels of accessories, such as Melissa shoes. Their clothes have a really colourful pallet, and every season they take on a new range of staple colours and patterns that are always bright and often immediately identifiable as Obus. In terms of pricing, they are on the reasonable end of expensive (if that makes sense).

Comme Des Garcons Pocket is the coolest store on Rankin Lane. This particular pop-up stocks most of…read morethe CDG Play Range, as well as perfume and small leather goods. My favourite items from CDG are the knitwear which are spun from wool and made in Japan. They are so comfy! Prices start from $100+ for a Tee to $400+ for a cardigan so do bring your credit card to drop some coin. You won't regret it.

One and only CDG pocket store in Melbourne located in Rankins Lane. The sales girls are so friendly…read moreand helpful. The store is unique and full of class. If you're a fan of the brand m, be prepared to spend!