I first fell in love with Tree of Life stores in Sydney and then Brisbane, and ever since have been…read morehanging out for one to hit Adelaide. My desires were satisfied last year when this treasure trove of trinkets and colourful fashions and accessories sunk its roots into Adelaide's Rundle Mall. Whilst the window suggests it makes a largely hippy clientele happy, most who step beneath the boughs of the Tree of Life leave just as contented as any wood nymph. One of the sections you really can't appreciate until you're in the store is the fine jewellery located on the western side of the store. There are beautiful pieces of jewellery here, designed to give as gifts for those special occasions or a delightful self-treat. The reduced section is to the back left of the store, and always has unbelievable bargains. I got a Jimmy Hendrix-like orange velvet jacket from this section for $20. The staff are also really nice, helpful and vibrant. When friends had bought gifts from here that didn't really suit, returning the items with receipt was easy, and I snaffled home a beautiful marcasite set of earrings and ring instead.

25/12/2011 5 photos Now, I walked around the whole shop…read moretwice with no attention paid to me whatsoever. I was the one that had to approach someone. When I asked the first shop assistant for help, she told me, "I'm busy. Go ask one of the girls at the counter. One of 'em will help you." How rude! I immediately got a bad first impression of this store. The second shop assistant lady was much more helpful but when she told me, "All the clothes here are made in India because of fair trade," I didn't know how to respond. What the heck do you mean? What are you trying to say here? Was she on some "Third World makes these-First World wears these" power trip? I dunno. ...If only I could work out the meaning behind her words. In actual fact, when she starts our conversation by saying "All the clothes here are made in India because of fair trade," in my head, I was thinking: "....is the fair trade bit of your sentence really relevant to what I need right now? I'm not here to learn about International Politics. Damn it, I just need a nice blue dress with matching blue jewellery for my female friend for Xmas!" Worst, she pulled out several dresses and jewellery pieces that weren't even blue. I specifically asked for blue, young lady. Thus any women's clothing store where I am not being listened to, and pieces are pulled out in such a haphazard manner and not really matching what I want, I knew it's gonna be a looooong day inside this shop. From the outside, this store is so unnoticeable because of it's black sign, but once you walk around inside, there are plenty of Indian "Bollywood-like" clothing and jewellery designs. Most of the customers here are....(yep, you guessed it) Australian women. Nevertheless, the second shop assistant did not abandon me and although she took a long time, she did not lead me astray! We finally found a nice blue dress for $40 and matching blue necklace = a very affordable winner. If you want to feel like a Bollywood Actress in Adelaide, this is the store to go to for conversion.

Walking into a sex shop can be daunting for most people, but this place has a somewhat welcoming…read morevibe about it, and If you do happen to be too scared to walk through the door, there still is plenty of sexy costumes out the front to window shop. There was a huge selection of shoes and sex toys in this super store. My girlfriend went home with a pair of white knee high boots, and matching nurses outfit, and lets just say I give them both 3 thumbs up. A wide selection of DVD's are available categorised for every fetish (I'll let you use your imagination here). The quality is great, but the prices are steep. $50 per DVD or $25 if you trade in. That's a lot for a second hand movie, especially since you don't know where It's been. I give it 4 up the bums!

Huge store with an excellent range, especially clothing, shoes and dvds. The staff were really…read morehelpful too.

I have always loved Sportgirl's accessories. In fact I probably think more of their accessories…read morethan I do of their clothes. Now that we have an exclusive accessory shop in Rundle Mall, I'm in my element. Sportsgirl accessory stores are called Sportsgirl SG. Where do I start? What do I love accessory wise at Sportsgirl? Number one would have to be their makeup. Its really well priced and lasts and lasts. I would definitely give both their mascara and their nail polishes a try. The nail polish comes in a great range of colours and the mascara does not run - unless of course you cry it away. If you haven't tried their self tanning lotion - you simply must. It's a gradual tanner and is called 'Here Today Tanned Tomorrow'. Great colour and great price. Jewellery. What girl can't go past a bit of costume jewellery. Of course we would all love to have oodles of the real stuff but not being cashed up like Elizabeth Taylor, for most of us costume is the next best thing. Sportsgirl have bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings and the great thing is because they're not so pricey, you can update regularly to keep on trend. Bags, wallets and clutches. Show me a girl with enough handbags and I'll show you a girl who's just not taking proper care of herself. From tiny purses to giant totes, Sportsgirl have a bag for everyone. For winter, check out their hosiery and scarves and in summer, remember to slip, slop and slap a hat on your noggin to avoid getting burnt. They have a good selection of hats. Something for everyone really.

The only reason I every used to venture into Sportsgirl was to take a squiz at the accessories. Now…read morethat they have an outlet containing only accessories I don't have to go into regular Sportsgirl at all and this makes me feel pretty chuffed, thanks for saving me the agony of looking at your strange overpriced clothing. I'm a fan of strange, kooky jewelery though, and you can often find this at SG, like knuckle duster rings and necklaces sporting tea cups and butter knives. Also a fan of the big oversized dangly earrings which I only wear one of - I'm that cool. Some of the stuff is so preppy though it makes me shudder, there was never this problem before with Sportsgirl accessories, it's almost like they needed to fill in some wall space. So these days, I can take it or leave it, SG is more of a time killer when you're waiting for the bus, except I wouldn't risk missing the buss for this store.

Definitely stop off here for winter supplies! So many fluffy socks and dressing gowns and hoodies…read moreand fluffy PJ pants - this really is the perfect place to come and prepare for hibernation. (Plus it's right next to Cheap as Chips so you can stock up on junk food and tinned soup too) You will also find some regular "going out in public" kinds of clothes here too. All of it tends to be on the cheaper end of the scale and there are plenty of wardrobe basics such as leggings, track pants, plain socks and T-shirts. But you can also find some really cool stuff that you just wouldn't see anywhere else. As the name suggests, this is not high fashion, and the store reflects that. The venue is underground and very little has been done in the way of decorating. It is not a place for the claustrophobic shopper. However, prices are cheap, there is a lot to choose from and the owners have never judged me for buying 16 pairs of bed socks at once.

This store was recommended by the team at the original R M Williams store in Prospect to deal with…read moremy Stockman boots that they themselves could no longer repair. What a great recommendation it turned out to be! The cobblers did an outstanding job replacing the sole and heel, effectively adding another good few years of comfortable work wear out of a very reliable pair of legendary boots. In closing, I'd certainly encourage anyone with footwear needing repair to seek out the Ideal Shoe Store team. They will not disappoint. Moreover, their rates are very reasonable

I bought my Milleni leather messenger bag from here I'd say about seven years ago and I still wear…read moreit everyday. It was the best price I could find at the time and having worked down the road it was a eureka moment when I found it was there in store. Ideal Shoe Repair performs a great service to the local residents, workers and passers by as they cut keys and repair leather goods and the prices are reasonable. Besides selling hand bags they also sell lugguage and accesories like belts, shoe laces, shoe inserts and scraves plus jewellery and umbrellas. Being a dealer in leather they also sell leather protection such as polish, sprays and sealants for leather and suede, even motor bike accesories. Service is fast and friendly and keys are cut on the spot unless there's a few to do and depending on their work load, but overall a great long standing shop which has recently seen a facelift.

This is a cute little shop which stock's young women's clothing such as dresses, tops, accessories…read moreand other girly things. The selection is good, but I have never bought anything from here, although I'm sure I'd find something if I needed a new dress. Lit & Iris is a bit hidden, so if you haven't already I'd recommend coming in and having a look if you're interested in something different.

Finding this place was a mere coincidence after buying something from the gift shop next door…read more However, with just one look in the window I dragged my boyfriend in there to gawp at the pretty dresses. The store is small but there were a number of girls browsing around. They have some beautiful cocktail and casual dresses at reasonable prices (around $50, $60). They also had a collection of all types of accessories including bags, wallets, hats and jewellery. I also recognised a couple of clothing items I have seen in other boutiques down The Parade or O'Connell St which were a good $10, $20 cheaper. As my wallet has been completely wiped out from the Christmas rush I couldn't buy anything, but will be back to fill my closet for weekends, evenings and work.

I'm undecided about this place ... these shops are popping up all over the place, and they all look…read morevery similar. The products have a 'homogenised' feel ... nothing stands out, everything is in the same colour tones, nothing is too bright or too brilliant. But what I do like about this place is that they stock local artists and designers. The only issue is they are the *same* artists and designers that can be found at Bowerbird Bazaar, That Dapper Market, and various other shops and cafes around Adelaide. Saying that, it is great to have a gift store to grab that little something that can't be found in a department store and know that you are supporting Adelaide businesses. I'm just a bit disappointed that they don't have a 'point of difference' at all - it will be great if they decide to branch out in future and take a few more risks!

This place is amazing! They stock a wide range of products…read morewhich are great quality. I go into this gorgeous store frequently and love everything that I've purchase from this placed. It is filled with amazing night products, made by local artists, designers and makers. Not to mention the worker/s are extremely friendly and kind. If you're ever in Adelaide, definitely drop in and pick something up. You won't regret it!

No it's not a clothing store for vampires although the formal and cocktail wear is worn after dark…read more One word to describe this store is STUNNING. Now this is the place to spend some money worthy of the designer label price tag, it's an investment plus the friendly and experienced staff know just what you need to wear for any occasion. Now it's not like you get invited to formal parties or have engagements to attend at Government House - well 'you' might - every weekend so who you gonna call...After Dark Boutique. These gowns come in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes and price tags but again for designer clothes in the formal wear arena this is a different kettle of fish compared to the other designers as you've got something absolutely beautiful to show for your purchase. The clothes are sourced from all over the world which also includes Australian designers and if you're looking for something a little cheaper there is a 1/2 price rack most times to have a rummage. The shop is like a warehouse and I love the decorative ceiling lights.

An Australian institution, as well as an honest to goodness legend this guy started off as a…read moreswag-man, which is more or less old school Australian for a person of no fixed address, and he ended up owning and running a multimillion dollar clothing empire. He comes from the North of Adelaide, a strange and isolated little place called Jamestown where the people were once so afraid of progress they would run you out of town if you were anything but one hundred percent dinkum normal Australian white bread all the way; and who knows if this is why R.M. hit the lonesome trail and skedaddled out of there? He ended up in Adelaide, the capital city of this fair state to get himself an education. Flash forward a few years and he was sure he could do something with his life to help cattle men and horse riders have a nice day, so he went into the production of boots. Leather boots. He did very well with that, and soon moved on to clothing that could survive the outback and the hard life of a drover - and still make a fellows arse look good. The thing about R.M. Williams' clothing is this: it tends to make a bloke look pretty darn sexy. Sexier than a cow or a horse, especially to the women folk. This proved to be good for the economy. It helped R.M. make his first million dollars and become one of the quintessential Australian brands. Over the years they have had great moments in business in Australia, expanding bit by bit. The best secret about R.M. Williams' products for Adelaide folk is the outlet store. The city based store at what was once called 'The Gallery' when shopping malls were all the new rage, is a fine store and they treat you very nice in there; but if you are not so rich as the folk who buy all their clothing there, make your way over to the 'outlet' stores there's one at: R.M.Williams Outlet Store 5 Percy Street, Prospect (08) 8344 8191 as well as the R.M.Williams Factory Shop, 121 Frost Road, Salisbury (08) 8259 1090 (08) 8259 1090 just for the record. Everything to make your potato pie of a fellow look like a dashing hunk of John Wayne for a high end fashion price. But you only have to kit him out once with one outfit to make him look like this, and he will forever be branded on your mind as an outback hero, drop dead gorgeous with the cutest arse you ever did see. Shirts, hats, boots, belts, pants... everything to wrap him up with, and then rip off of him because it makes him so magnetically handsome. Talk about your sex bomb!

I'm pretty much the least 'country' type person you can get. I'm all about the bright lights, big…read morecity, so it may be hard for the reader to imagine any reason for me (or themselves) to enter this store. But there's one: the boots. While the clothing is all neat, button up shirts and beige slacks and cowboy hats, (I just cruised straight by) the leather boots from RM Williams are a thing of beauty. Made of leather and tough as nails (they're built for the rough and ready conditions of farm life, after all), these are some hard wearing, comfy and well designed boots. Despite being far from the target market, the staff didn't bat an eyelid when myself and my heavily bearded, heavily hipster BF came by to check out the boots, and they were SUPER helpful. No, the boots are not cheap. But put it this way: you're supporting an Aussie (wait, a SOUTH Aussie) business, and these boots are likely to last you 10 or more years. I wear mine constantly, even teamed with cute dresses over summer - they're some of the best music festival shoes of all time. News alert: you don't need a horse to shop here.

I've been buying my small business's supplies from Adelaide Leather and Saddlery for years due to…read moretheir great service, prices, and products. My orders are always dispatched quickly and product quality is reliable and consistent. I highly recommend Adelaide Leather.

Wayne Cook is the proprietor and will help you as much as he can with everything you are looking…read morefor. Now you may be looking for the bits and pieces to put your own saddle together or to repair a well loved saddle, that is a no brainer really; but you may also be looking for leather for a completely different reason - for example doing some handicrafts like making belts or something like a purse. Well it will be worth looking in here for craft leather as well, and Wayne is pretty smart, he knows what you will want in terms of quality and finish. This is not a glamorous store, it is pragmatic. The difference is you may need to go searching rather than stand in one spot and see everything from that vantage point - that's why it's good to know what you are looking for and to be able to say so. Wayne is going to ask, or if he's not there - one of his staff will ask "may I help you?" and once they do all you need to do is explain what you are after and they will sort it out for you. You will find a variety of belts, buckles, saddlery hardware, rug canvas and linings, leather craft materials, webbing and ropes - most of this is for the discerning horse owner, those off you into dressage or jumping, but it is also for the leather handicraft enthusiast, so check it out. Clean, well kept fresh leather, well lit if not a little like a jumble sale at a first glance, we wouldn't want it any other way!