Unbeknownst to many is that Gladstone- Annerley Road, the forgettable stretch of road that connects…read moreWest End to Annerley, is in fact home to a few of Brisbane's hot spots. Its Vintage Darling is such a place. Its Vintage Darling is a particularly charming store, but because it's placed on a main road, it often gets missed by car go-ers. It's quite an unassuming place, and there's not many quick and easy parking spots if you do catch a glimpse of it. It's young owner has gone to great lengths to make the décor resemble an era long gone. She is powdered and picture perfect, not a hair out of place. Everything in the store is immaculately presented. You do not frantically rummage through her store, you peruse. While you're browsing, you can also ask for a organic free trade coffee ($3), which will be made in the 'kitschenette'. When you find something you like and you're testing out your new found dream threads, the owner jumps right in there with her own two cents worth. It's like serendipitously finding a new trusted fashionista sister to shop with. Yes, she wants you to buy her wears, but I truly believe she also wants you to walk out with something sensational. What's more is that Its Vintage Darling has become an irregular venue for live music as well. Sometimes a live music 'sale' day will happen, which will make you think all of your christmases have come at once. Bring a fair wad of cash with you. It's not an overly expensive vintage store (some op shops in the area have similar prices but the stock here is much better), but you might want to have more dosh in your pocket because there are just so many pretties in store.

Sip on a fresh, hot latte while browsing racks of dresses and reading vintage magazines (10 tips on…read morebeing a good housewife!)? Sign me up. It's Vintage Darling is one of my fave vintage shops. Not only is the name fun to say (It's vintage, dahling) but the staff are sweet, friendly and make a mean cappuccino. It's Vintage Darling has a lovely tiny retro kitchen and coffee machine, as well as a bit of lounge and outdoor seating so you can get a caffeine hit while browsing the retro-wares. There's usually a good range of 80s and 90s grunge, quite a bit of men's stock and on occasion, a lovely 50s or 60s dress. I got a divine 40s gown from there once, and for under $100, so they are well-priced. But best of all is the bargain bins - there are treasures to be found if you're willing to dig and most are under $10. Check it out!

One of my favourite op shops in the area, it's pretty small but always full of great finds…read more Clothes are the best, cute, in-style stuff and lots of it! I'm a size 8-10 and I always walk out with something I'm really excited about! They have two racks you have to check out - the "everything $2" wrack (which has some cool stuff and some of your laughable awfuls) and my personal favourite - the" fill a bag got $5!) it's always full and always has some cool stuff! I got a super cute cue skirt in there once! They are great for books too, there is a wall bookshelf that has got good quality books on it, some even brand new, and cheap as chips, only a few dollars a book for a new perfect new condition one. shoes and jewellery too, their stock is always rotating so even if you are a regular like I am there is something new for you. Not too good for furniture because of its size but there is a superstore just a few minutes drive away if you are looking for that. (lifeline superstore on sandgate Rd, also yelpable) Five stars for this little northside gem!

Extreamly happy with purchase old fashion prices and good costomer service.read more

Oh Leona, why must you tease me so! It's bad enough with all the beauty that's in your current…read morecollections, let alone your vintage wear. And now you've gone and opened a shop off James Street specifically for your vintage items? You mock me! Seriously though, Leona Edmiston's Vintage store, the newest addition to the James Street precinct, is just ridiculously beautiful. I'm not just talking her gorgeous frocks, but also shoes, handbags and scarves. It's like a dream come true! I do have a bone to pick with Leona though. Normally I am a size 8-10, yet even her extra small sizes don't fit me! So naturally when I walked in to the 50% off sale the other day, I was cheesed off for the first time in my life for being too small for something (when normally this is celebrated with a glass of champagne). The shop attendant who was assisting me was delightful, to the point where I walked out feeling as though I'd made a new friend. For any fan of pre-loved fashion or accessories, take a little wander round James Street until you find Leona Edmiston Vintage. The beautiful items on the racks are to be adored not ignored.

Leona Edmiston's Vintage boutique might be just off the main James Street fashion strip, but it's…read moreworth the 2 minute detour to explore one-off dresses, end of season wonders and pre-loved Leona garments. I popped in on a Sunday afternoon and couldn't resist the call of a sale. The sales assistant was lovely without being pushy and I felt at ease, not in any particular rush or resentful of "sold to". Be warned, there's no mirrors in the change rooms so you do have to leave the comfort of the cubicle to see the dress on you, but don't fear, the lighting in this boutique is so soft and flattering I'm convinced the dress I bought looked better on me in store than it does now in the harsh light of my humble abode.

Walking into this place, is like stepping back in time to Cuba in the 50's the decor and setup is…read moreamazing, Saturday nights they have DJ spinning vinyl records, pumping out Latino music, there's plenty of to dance if you wish. The cocktails amazing, the service was good as well, prices are what you would expect. I will be definitely coming back. If you stay long enough, you almost forget we live in Brisbane.

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.

If it weren't for the lack of repetition among the clothes here, or the rather obvious sign out the…read morefront stating the stores purpose, you wouldn't know this was a second-hand clothing shop. I'm not sure I've ever come across a preloved clothing store with modern clothes that are in such good condition. This isn't really a place to go if you're after vintage pieces, most of the stuff here doesn't seem to very old at all actually, boasting about as much vintage credibility as Miley Cyrus. Still, they do quality used clothing very well. I'm getting a bit sceptical about these places that proclaim they sell recycled designer labels. While in some of them you will certainly find a few labels that would usually have the power to make me guilty for touching them with my greasy, can't-afford-it mitts, while others are not so intimidating. It's a pretty big store with a lot of stuff - definitely worth checking out.

This place claims to be a recycled clothing store for imported and designer clothing. Imported they…read moremay be, but, although they stock some nice items and everything in good condition, I am not too sure about how many of them are actually designer brands. It's not what I would call jam-packed full of stuff, with the clothing lining only the walls of the store and some sort of dance floor (what else would that space be for?) in the middle. Even though the items may not belong on Anne Hathaway (the made-over version) in The Devil Wears Prada, there's no question they're good quality and reasonably priced. Everything is jumbled together with no apparent system, so you have to sort through everything to unearth that special piece, but that's half the fun.

The Most Amazing Shop. That's a big claim, but this shop is pretty amazing, filled with new and…read morepre-loved gear that just tumbles all over itself and invites you to keep browsing. The yard is filled with every statue and ornament you can imagine, from the garden gnomes to angels and even the grim reaper makes an appearance. Inside, there's lovely timber furniture, bags, clothes, collectable china and glassware, novelty itesm and toys... you name it, it's probably there. When I went, I bought a china doll and some glasses, but a heavy carved bed head and room divider certainly caught my eye. It's almost impossible to describe, you just have to visit and see for yourself.

The fact that the guy working in this place mistook me for a recent high school graduate, when in…read morereality I am closer to attending my ten year reunion, could have a lot to do with why I loved this store. But I don't think so. I really can't express how positive my experience here was. Everything about this shop is adorable; the design, the vintage clothes, the atmosphere and the locally made jewellery. This is no ordinary secondhand clothing store. Everything has been carefully chosen and only the best items make the cut, so the store is not cluttered, but tastefully arranged with perfect clothes to space ratio. Not only are the clothes here unique thanks to their preloved status, but they are all in excellent condition. While the clothes are lovely, it is not that alone which makes this store what it is. The design compliments the shop perfectly; giving customers the feeling they are exploring a charming boutique. Perhaps my favourite thing about this shop was the locally made jewellery. I love supporting local artists and buying pieces like this not only ensures you do so, but also guarantees that you won't end up looking exactly the same as every girl that shops at mass-produced jewellery stores. Finally, when I visited, not only was the sales assistant extremely friendly, kind and a poor judge of age (to my immense pleasure), he was also ironing. I found this an enchanting touch. How often do you see staff in a shop ironing? It added such a welcoming feel to the store, and also assured me the people here really care about and take pride in their work.

Willow & Fox work under the banner of 'Recycle, Reduce, Reuse'. Even from the outside it's…read moreendearing. They have handwritten protest articles written up on the door about stopping the palm oil industry. HANDWRITTEN! The owners are people who really do care about the state of our world. Their collection is humble, but immaculate. The threads they sell are all secondhand, in perfect condition, and I guess you would say that most of them come under the category of 'hippie clothes'. They've got all sorts of excellent bits and bobs around the place- there's some reused tetra pak bags there for sale, and some beautiful reused wine goblets. My favourite item was the lampshade made from natural fibres. This store is one of it's kind in the Cleveland area. It provides people with an avenue to have all the nice things they want without costing you or the environment too much.

I am a HUGE fan of shopping for the man friend. I'm also a huge fan of this chino, plain T-shirt…read moreand boat shoe combination which has taken over the young men of Brisbane. These two elements combined makes Angus Black a great place for me to pursue my weird interest in men's clothes. With brands such as Nudie, Bassike, Saint Augustine Academy and Vanishing Elephant, it's no wonder the sexy young men of Brisbane keep their eye on Angus Black. The store is a fantastic space. Simple and clean lined, exactly like the clothes stocked. A pre-warning though boys- you would want to save those pretty pennies before making a trip to Angus Black because the clothes are irresistible, yet a little on the expensive side. The pieces are of such high quality though, that shopping there would be more of an investment in your wardrobe than a frivolous spending spree.

Be prepared to spend some coin in a place like this. My whole wardrobe could be lined with clothes…read morefrom this store but alas. My Quik-Pix numbers haven't come through for me just yet. It's a friendly little store, expect to be greeted kindly on your way in with a hello and a smile, the sales girl was a model-esque creature floating gracefully around the store who helped us pick out a present for a friend of mine. After kindly rejecting the three $150 t shirts she suggested we decided to go elsewhere but not without promising to come back again later as soon as we had the money. This place would get 5 stars but I'm still too depressed at the look of my bank account after going back and purchasing a pair of jeans.