Its stores like Chitra's Closet that make you really appreciate clothing. Billing its wares as…read more"Beautifully handcrafted, whimsical and romantic" on its website, the store caters to women from sizes 8-14, although the sizes are made to be more generous than in most retail outlets. Local Melbourne designer Chitra Mangma has a declared love of classic styles and flattering waistlines to suit the traditional female shape, with the requisite modern twists thrown in. However, it is a little ambiguous sometimes as to whether all the clothes would flatter all kinds of curvaceous women. There're always a lot of bright colours and prints featured each season, and most of the clothing is interesting and distinctive. It's all in the details: good fabrics, the odd bit of hand stitching. However, since it's locally made and designed the prices are in the couple to several hundred dollar bracket, which has thus far prevented me from acquiring anything for myself. But given the timeless nature of the designs and the love with which the clothes are made, there'd be a lot of women willing to save up for an item or two each season or year. There's a good range of accessories on hand. The shop itself has a quaint 1920s-30s feel that's almost like an older-style perfume shop mixed in with a Beatrix Potter novel. The service is low key and unobtrusive, so you don't feel pressured. Chitra's Closet is a shop for people who truly appreciate their clothes and want to invest in feeling good in what they wear.

Phoebe Angel is a glorious, affordable women's fashion store, following all the latest fashion…read moretrends coming in from Asia. Long socks, mini skirts, long fur coats and feminine trenches and military style coats in blacks, whites and pinks. Lace dresses, crochet tops, mini dresses and maxis. It truly is a haven for any girl (or twenty something woman) who loves the latest, pretty lacey trends at prices you can afford.

Very very new and very very nice. The group behind the place…read moremanufacture small to large scale garments for others. even to the extent of design mentorship to help others navigate the complexities of the fashion industry. NMBQ is their own label with an African twist. The selection of mens is a little non-existent outside printed tees, but the fabric here and the women's clothing is amazing. The colours of the repeat patterns are all reds and greens and earthy ones in the mix. And what makes it even better is it's all printed and put together in Brunswick. You can see the sewing machines out the back! The fabric used for the NMBQ range is 100 % recycled as fabrics are acquired from non traditional sources. The people here are very adamant that they will not be contributing "to the continuing production of new fabrics as the world is a wash with fabrics from previous seasons." Well worth a look in.

The clothes I have seen here are the most exciting I have seen outside a fashion exhibition. I wish…read morethe business every success and wide publicity, original, fun, funky, fashionable, colourful designs.

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!

I enjoyed my time here. Got to shop here and got some good deals. Wish they had trendier clothes…read morethough for the curvier women. Was so happy to see my first Starbucks in Australia and just had to try a new drink I had never seen in California. People are so friendly there. I think I may just move to Australia... ;)

A great shopping mall! This place has really picked up over the years! Lots of amazing shops! A…read moreplace to get some great buys! I go here often for my lunch break and head back to work with bags of shopping. I just can't help it. There is always new shops and new items to buy! Omg I love sales racks! :-)

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.

This shop was great, but it is now gone, from Brunswick Street that is. It is just a Dangerfield…read moreoutlet now. You're welcome. (Would love to have known before I drove there today, ahhh...)

first impressions are Birch trees and power lines. The set up of this store drags me in before I…read morerealise that no, most of these bits and bobs, while Australian made and designed, are in fact women's fashion and accessories. But that doesn't stop me admiring the quality of the work. From woven wonders to colour fabrics and cloths to the most amazing leather bags and more, Pussycat Black is one of those fabulous retailers that have a real sense of taste and understand what just works together. You could pick yourself up a whole outfit here. The racks have the powerlines atop them - the ceramic covers and wires looking amazing. And the birth in the front - collections of logs held together with twine - simply make me think of Sweden.

I really like what these guys are trying to do. They stock independent Australian designer fashion…read moreand everything is made in Australia. That is so right-on, you got to love it. Yes, it's a bit exy to shop here, but it's also sexy to shop responsibly, and what could make one a more socially-conscious fashionista than to support a retailer who wants to give independent Aussie designers a go? It's a tough enough biz as it is, the fashion industry, and whilst we're all busy being influenced by Anna Wintour and god knows who else that dictates what women wear all over the world, our very own designers and artists are struggling to keep Australia on the fashion map. We need to give them a hand by buying Australian fashion, and as a bonus, we'll also be giving our own economy a boost. Feel good and look good. It's a win-win situation.