There is nothing I like better than knowing what product you are looking for and getting it for a…read morebargain. If you are looking for Converse products such as sneakers, clothing, tracksuits and windcheaters, then this is the place to go. Authentic Factory Outlets is located furthest from the city end of Smith Street amongst all the factory outlets offering products with labels at cheaper prices than you find in regular stores. I managed to get a pair of Converse One Stars and even got some free Converse socks to sweeten the deal. It's not only Converse in this Authentic Factory Outlet, you can also get a number of other cheap shoes and other street wear at discounted products such as Tommy Hilfiger. This part of Smith Street is great for the bargain hunter and this Authentic Factory Outlets is a must.

Woah. I don't think I have ever seen so many clothes in the one place before. Dresses, cardi's,…read moresinglets and jackets - Clear It has it all. But to be honest, I have been inside a million and one times and never walked out with anything. You know how when you drop in to your favourite shop and they have a sale rack and although everything looked pretty a week ago, when it's on that rack it looks a little sad? That's what this whole store is... Everything looks just a little bit sad. I get that it is a clearance centre, but high-price label designers in a bargain store? It just doesn't sit well... Plus, nothing is really that cheap? Unless you consider $85 for a satin singlet cheap. My favourite section of the entire store is the 'damaged' section, where you can usually find the really good, new stuff, but perhaps a button is missing. If you are in this store, head to that rack, everything else might make you cry.

When ever I have friends in town who love a good bargain, I bring them to Clear It on Brunswick…read moreStreet. Although I have to admit that, often I end up buying more stuff than my friends. Once you've been here, you'll wonder why you ever shopped full price! Check out the massive range of samples and out of season fashion from leading brands such as Alannah Hill, Friends of Couture, Gorman, Princess Highway, Dangerfield and Black Friday. Depending on what you're looking for, you can pick up super cheap t-shirts, glamorous dresses ($50 and up) and a truck full of blouses, day dresses, jackets, scarves and hats. It's the bargain hunters dream come true - but remember it's a warehouse store, not a boutique - so you really have to look carefully and dig deep. I'd give yourself at least an hour depending how much you want to spend. The best thing about this place is, you're free to roam about without pesky sales staff following you around.

This shop is cuuuute. What with its sweet wallpaper, art deco ceiling lights, counter top vintage…read morebirdcage, and all the other gorgeous little things dotted about the store, you know the owners have a good eye for design. And most importantly, their eye for design shows in the labels they stock and the garments hanging on their racks. The other day there was the most adorable white peter pan collared navy blue dress in the window beckoning me into the store. I resisted knowing that my dollar count was low, but the dress has emblazoned itself on my mind and I reckon I'll be back on pay day. You'll find mostly independent antipodean designer goods on the racks with a smattering of international stuff.

I think I'm a bit weird, or perhaps I'm just a lot more 'clucky' then I originally thought but when…read moreI first dropped in to Somebuddy Loves You I passed the stylish Karen Walker sunglasses and the uber trendy dresses and made a beeline straight for the kids clothes. I am a newly-made Auntie and I love spoiling the little brat, particularly with funky kids clothes and Somebuddy Loves You stocks the absolute best. I bought my nephew a very funky onesie with a picture of Jack Nicholson on the back and 'Easy Rider' written on the front, and a very spunky tee with some rock stars on the front. Since that first purchase I am now a regular. I look just as cool as the kid now!

This is a fantastic little boutique - the clothing is by a local designer and her family runs the…read moreshop. Their dresses will flatter any figure, plus they will do free alterations on your purchases (if needed) The staff is genuinely helpful without being pushy - I originally overlooked a couple dresses that wound up looking the best on me! They have many fun girlie accessories, too - jewelry, fascinators, patterned tights, etc. Prices are very reasonable - definitely go in if you need a new dress (for pretty much any occasion).

Wasn't Lolitta a tempting seductress, who's charm nobody could escape? If so, the shop is identical…read moreto its namesake. I can rarely afford to shop the top labels and when I can the older I get, the less I can justify it. Lolitta can be defined as a store that offers the same, stylish, quality designs you'll find at Myer for about half the price. I haven't seen a piece I've loved for over $90, which for quality fashion is very hard to find. Fabrics and colours are just beautiful, and as I'm a bit of a hippy I love the spring collection of bohemian yet pretty and feminine looks. I just wish I had of stumbled across it prior to the Cox Plate. Tip: Check out the Yanni dress in store now, I love it and have it sitting prime position in my wardrobe :)

Very unique styles, patterns of clothing. I looked all over melbourne for something to wear to a…read morewedding, walked in here and found something on sale within 5 minutes. The sales consultant, Annie was extremely helpful and polite.

So fun. My girlfriend and bought two hats. The man who helped us really knew and loved hats. Asked…read morehim for a suggestion and he got it right in the first try. Love my new hat

Sometimes a man needs a hat - not a baseball cap, a proper hat - and when that happens Smart, Alec…read morehas you covered. (No pun intended.) They stock a broad variety of hats, from flat caps to berets, fedoras, porkpies, bowlers, top hats and even a fez or two. Prices tend to be very reasonable as well.

Allow me to be very specific here. Unless you have some cash to spend, leave all credit cards,…read morewallets and anything you can hock at home. If you venture into Christine (which in itself may be a little difficult, it is quite literally underground and notoriously hard to find) you will struggle to leave empty handed. Christine is the boutique embodiment of the idea that is Aladdin's Cave, for once you have decended those stairs and witness the delights within, you'll have a hard time leaving. Christine stocks all manner of shoes, jewels, handbags, scarves, scents, hats and anything else in the accessory category. Most of all, the owner (I'll let you guess what her name may be) really knows her stuff. She can recognise the label and season of almost any bag with just a glance and has an impressively detailed inventory of the store swimming around in her head. Bottom line: visit at your own peril. You may never leave and if you do, it certainly won't be empty handed.

We had so much fun at Christine's shop! We met Christine herself, and what a treasure! We tried on…read morehats and jewelry and clothes and shoes and handbags and... and... From the moment you walk in the red door onto the red plaid carpet until the moment you leave with a red bag in tow, the staff treats you like gold. Very enjoyable, decadent shopping experience.

This is vintage with a difference. Don't come here expecting floaty hipster dresses and quirky…read moreflannel shirts, but instead stereotypical American clothing that you can imagine the head cheerleader and quarterback would be wearing on any given day. There are a lot of American football-sytle tees for both girls and boys, classic Daisy Duke cutoff denims and a LOT of cowboy boots (like, seriously, a lot.) There also seems to be an inordinate amount of Disney characters on shirts and cutie-pie overalls. The staff are helpful but generally leave you alone most of the time. So be sure to give them a shout-out if you need a hand. This is not a style for everyone and the items can be quite pricey (especially the shoes) but it's a great destination if you are looking for something different that no one else will have.

I was walking down towards this area to go buy a used bike for the rest of my time in Melbourne and…read morejust had to stop in this store. After trying on a good 15 pairs of high waisted levi's cutoff's, I gave up and rummaged through the rest of their goods. I was happy to find a bunch of Wrangler clothing price marked down to only 15- 35 dollars (more than 50% off) I bought a set of bathers and a halter top for all under 50 dollars.. SCORE! Definitely keen to go back soon with some mates to find the right pair of cutoffs and explore the store a bit more. Of course the American is a fan of AMERICAN VINTAGE ;)

I love nothing more than being able to say the piece of jewellery I'm wearing is a one-off - which…read moreis why I get a thrill out of scouring the aisles of The Bead Centre on Smith Street, Collingwood for an array of charms and beads to create my very own unique treasure. The best bit is, more often than not you come across charms that are identical to those used on current accessories in stores such as Sportsgirl. Being able to create an 'of the moment' piece for a quarter of the price you'd pay for it in store is exceptional. And I love that you can customise it to your own taste. The Bead Centre carries an extensive range of chains, leather straps, clasps, charms, beads, baubles, crystals, stones and more - as well as a huge range of ready-made costume jewellery with the lowest prices in Australia.

I have yet to find a quality bead shop that stocks the particular items I am looking for such as…read morequality leather cord, clasps and metal accessories. Keep searching for better quality, unless you are just looking for something to get you by.