Smart Alec. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
FASHION duo Kim Wilson and Anna Byrne uncover 25 of Melbourne's best shopping haunts to help fill your wardrobe with style.
Smart Alec
235 Gertrude St Fitzroy. Ph: 9416 4664
smartalechatters.com.au
WE have tailors to fix our fallen hemlines and cobblers to repair our sorry soles, and in Melbourne where the modern gentleman still appreciates the role of the hat as an appendage to his aesthetic, we also have Smart Alec.
Located in the eclectic fashion bazaar that is Gertrude St, these well-informed hatters are dedicated to the repairs and restoration of tired vintage hats to ensure the tradition of wearing them lives on. Also a purveyor of fine hats, the store is tastefully crammed with trilbies, flat caps, fedoras, bowlers, panamas, berets, top hats and boaters.
The unique styles are sourced locally, as well as from England, the US, Ireland, Colombia and Ecuador - the home of the panama hat. And though the store technically stocks hats for gentlemen, if men's hats were good enough for Marlene Dietrich, they are good enough for any woman looking for that extra fashion flair.
We're happy to confirm the unfailingly polite and attentive staff are as eager to assist female customers as they are the men.
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Shag clothing store in Melbourne city. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
Shag
130 Chapel St, Windsor. Also at 377 Brunswick St, Fitzroy and Centreway Arcade, 259 Collins St, city. shagshop.com.au
DO you dream of being stopped in the street by a fashion blogger to ask for your photo? Buy your clothes at Shag and they are sure to take a second glance. But be prepared to be nimble because it is the unique finds hidden in the nooks and crannies of Shag that make the Melbournite trendies converge on their three locations.
Haven't you always wanted a briefcase with a working clock on the front? Surely you've been hankering after a Florentine micro mosaic brooch? Had your eye on a pair of '80s wraparound glasses with a heliotrope lens? Summoned Santa to search for a lucite box purse from the 1950s? From decadent tapestry treasures to capsule kaftan collections, this store of curiosities has plenty of one-of-a-kind treasures to stumble across.
Scally And Trombone. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Scally and Trombone
331 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Ph: 9419 6038
HATS split the population like no other fashion item. But as far as we're concerned, you're either a hat person, or you're jealous of those who are.
For more than two decades Scally and Trombone, with unswerving dedication to quality, has quietly become the hat-trick stalwart of the city. There, among the glorious millinery mishmash, you can channel Charlie Chaplin in a black bowler, go shopping with Dr Seuss and tip a topper, get perky with a wide brim strategically dipped below one eye or flick a fedora on your 'fro; you can try beanies, berets, boaters, bonnets, bespoke cocktail hats and even bathing caps.
And for the eternally jealous non-titfers among you, fear not, because owner Mary Lou Scally has directionally and eccentrically cultivated this hat emporium with a whimsical assortment of leather driving gloves, antique-typewriter cufflinks, scarves, stockings and fanciful jewellery.
But perhaps the most fascinating item stocked at this Brunswick St institution is - wait for it - an avalanche of Esther Williams bathing suits.
Inspired by the silver screen aqua-belle, the bathing suits embody the 1940s glamour of the hour-glassed water goddess with halter necks, boy-leg briefs, flattering ruching and vintage prints including gingham, plaid, polka dot and over-size floral.
Best of all, the old-world nostalgia of the bathing suits and hats is nothing compared to the old-world nostalgia of the diligent and intelligent service.
Incu Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
INCU
Shop ACL 12, Albert Coates Lane, QV, city. Ph: 9654 4725
OFTEN referred to as a community of product from around the world, Incu has established itself as one of the sharpest, innovative boutiques in Melbourne.
With a directional and informed product mix, many brands featured in store were previously unavailable in Australia and include the covetable likes of Acne, Isabel Mirant, Vanishing Elephant, A.P.C, Rag and Bone and T by Alexander Wang.
This year marks the inaugural season of their new in-house brand, Weathered, which is designed and created by the buyers who stock the store.
Braun Buffel. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Braun Buffel
Ground floor, Shop G7, 234 Collins St, city. Ph: 9078 0079
THE Hermes Birkin bag is known as the queen of handbags, what with its $10,000 price tag and year-long wait lists. But before the French company even began making handbags, another craftsman Johann Braun was already producing leather carrier bags, purses and school satchels.
This design DNA means that, like Hermes, Braun Buffel forgoes the fashionable ubiquity of other brands, relying firmly on its instinct for classic quality and timeless elegance but, unlike Hermes, prices start at under $500.
After more than 100 years of building upon the founding principles of excellence in craftsmanship and design, Braun Buffel now possesses a global reputation for superior quality leather goods, but what you may not know is that Melbourne is home to the only Braun Buffel store in Australia.
Despite its heritage, Braun Buffel remains contemporary and covetable, encompassing a range of briefcases, belts, travel bags, purses, wallets and key cases, alongside their prestigious handbags for the professional and weekend wardrobe.
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Fame Agenda Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Fame Agenda
Level 2, Melbourne Central, 211 Latrobe St, city. Ph: 9650 2322
MOST people think that secret stores are tucked down cobblestone alleyways, or behind wooden doors at the top of a rickety staircase, or advertised by a single red garment hanging from a fire hydrant.
But in Melbourne, you can find a treasure in the most obvious of places. Yes, even in that hoodie hangout, the shopping centre. In this case, Melbourne Central in the heart of our CBD.
Fame Agenda qualifies as a secret because it is so well camouflaged against a backdrop of chain stores that you are prevented from just stumbling across it, the way you might were it in a laneway.
Meticulously styled, this store collates the most covetable line-up of labels including Karen Walker, Sretsis, Staple and Gary Bigeni alongside its own house label famous for its slick prints.
Lady Petrova in her own store. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
Lady Petrova
3/237 Flinders Lane, city. Ph: 9650 6285
ACCORDING to Lady Petrova, her customers view the world through rose-coloured glasses, paint their nails in rainbow glitter when they feel blue and never see a piece of lace they don't like. If you ever need to escape reality, this store is so sweet it will make you swear that unicorns exist.
Perched in one of Melbourne's hidden laneways, Lady Petrova is a grown-up equivalent of a dress-up box. Designer Petrova Hammond masterminds the store's house label but also curates the racks with a delicious mix of frills, bows, pastels and shoes from international and local brands. Her trademark flower crowns, which her mother hand makes, are the cherry atop this shopper's sundae.
Often behind the counter on Fridays and Saturdays, Hammond is on hand to encourage girls to develop their own style and build their fashion confidence. Her Facebook page embraces passionate patrons who send in photos of themselves wearing her designs at school formals and weddings, proving that there are still some stores that keep the customer on the pedestal they deserve.
Elegantly Scant. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Elegantly Scant
6 Degraves St, city. Ph: 9654 2073
LINGERIE and the movies have one of Hollywood's most enduring friendships. And this Melbourne boutique pays homage to these bedfellows with a space that looks more like a boudoir film set than a shop.
Frilly knickers hang from the chandelier, feather boas are draped over curvaceous mannequins, mirrored dressing tables are adorned with antique perfume bottles and plush fabric chairs allow a weary shopper a moment's rest.
A triumph of craftsmanship, every piece in the store is individually sewn with care to ensure the most flattering and supportive fit.
Made from vintage fabrics, handmade lace and embellished with old-fashioned ribbon, each piece is inimitable - as are the sumptuous kimono robes fashioned from vintage fabrics from the couture houses of Roberto Cavalli, Hermes and Versace.
A must see for anyone with a finer appreciation for these foundations of our wardrobe.
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Chanel Bags at Love Me And Leave Me. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Love me & Leave me
lovemeandleaveme.com
HAVE a fashion craving but not the finances? Love Me & Leave Me, a concept made famous by Sex and the City, is where one goes to browse through luxury designer handbags from the likes of Prada, Chloe, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, rent them, return them a week later and then pat oneself on the back for being so economically resourceful.
The Melbourne-based online store also offers an exclusive "wear now, pay later" service. This revolutionary payment system means you can buy a YSL chain clutch for $22.31 a week for 12 months, or an iconic Chanel Vintage 2.55 bag for $49.64 a week for 12 months.
Best of all, for the entire year you get to walk around with your hired tote.
However, if you do have the cash to splash, you may also like to peruse the "buy now" section of the website or the online clearance outlet that offers previous-season styles at significantly reduced prices from designers including Angel Jackson, Jovani and Elizabeth Cole.
Retrostar. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Retrostar
Level 1, Nicholson Building, cnr Swanston St and Flinders Lane, city. Ph: 9663 1223.
retrostar.com.au
ARE you the type of op shopper who can never find anything other than brown corduroy shirts, but get insanely jealous every time a friend smugly states they found their uber-cool tweed jacket in a charity shop around the corner?
Here is how you cheat the system: visit RetroStar. Set on the upper floor of the heritage Nicholas Building, RetroStar is the largest vintage store in Australia.
Specialising in the 1940s through to the '80s, it's a curated gallery of psychedelic prints, cowboy boots, floaty dresses, silk scarves and vintage denim from around the world.
RetroStar Rockstar, its side project, stocks more than 5000 rock and band T-shirts inspired by all genres of music from every era.
While the prices are higher than the average op shop due to product quality, visit the RetroStar website regularly for warehouse sales. Once every 8-12 weeks, RetroStar sets up shop in Stewart St, Brunswick, where more than 12,000 pieces are marked down to $10 or less.
Melko. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Melko
18 Howey Pl, city. Also at 232 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
melko.com.au
WHEN Melbourne is in the depths of winter, it can be a hard task to find clothes in a shade other than black. But this secret boutique is the ultimate antidote, catapulting its customers into an array of South American fashion with a no-holds barred approach to colour and clash.
Like a loud and proud Rio festival, printed maxi dresses, kimono tops and stylish minis embody arresting, statement-making colour and skim over the body for a flattering silhouette.
The sizzling colour continues with the jewellery collection: a melting pot of traditional South African-accent jewellery, including acai berries harvested from the Amazon and made into jewellery by indigenous Brazilians, Colombians and Peruvians especially for Melko.
It is also home to Marzio Fiorini's unique pieces, which have been exhibited in New York's Museum of Modern Art. The store also stocks RSobral's handmade polyester resin jewellery, which resembles licorice allsorts, and Angelesflor jewellery, which is handmade from aluminium and silk in an atelier in Buenos Aires.
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Eliza Baker. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Eliza Baker
447 High St, Prahran. Ph: 9533 7369
LOCATED in a former 1900s bakery, Eliza Baker is a treasure trove of old-world charm and contemporary styling where swoon-worthy red-carpet gowns sit alongside one-off international garments and a swag of unique, relaxed looks from 10 key labels, including Brazilian brands Cantao and Osklen, Spain's Indi & Cold and French label La Fee Maraboutee.
It is also the only destination in Melbourne that offers the entire exquisite collection from celebrity favourite designer and part-owner Aurelio Costarella.
Part-owners and fashion importers Domenique Nestel and Jocelyn Kahil hand-pick the cream of the crop from collections around the world and their access to new-season trends means each week samples are available in the store a full year ahead of regular Australian stores.
The best bit is that some are available at an amazing 40 per cent off the retail price.
Christine clothing store in Melbourne CBD. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
Christine
181 Flinders Lane, city. Ph: 9654 2011
CHRISTINE Barro, an ex-buyer with Georges on Collins, is one of Melbourne's true fashion aficionados. Her whimsical boutique, Christine, is the place to go to gorge on the most remarkable fashion accessories.
An Aladdin's cave of fashion's finer details, including Lanvin costume jewellery, Anya Hindmarch handbags and Maison Michel hats, Christine offers a shopping experience that exceeds expectations, where even if you don't buy anything, you feel as though you have left reality for the time you have been browsing her beautiful merchandise. And while it may be the ultimate shopping fantasy, Christine is also famous for her annual and generous sales.
Beggar Man Thief. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Beggar, Man, Thief
244 Clarendon St, South Melbourne. Ph: 9686 3006
NOT all blokes feel comfortable shopping, which is why this store makes our secrets list.
Its "distinctly male" ambience and environment is both unassuming and approachable to the typical Aussie bloke, a quality that isn't common in the genre of men's stores. BMT knows guys aren't used to being left to their own devices to shop alone and it caters for this as well.
For example, can you take a picture of shoes to send to your girlfriend to get the tick of approval? If that's a part of your purchasing process, you most certainly can. And they offer a free service where they will deal directly with your major decision maker to select a fine pair of shoes for you.
As well as having a man-friendly environment, BMT is known for offering a selection of heritage and exclusive footwear brands as well as an array of accessories and male-interest products including rare Parisian scooter helmets, cut-throat razors and shaving kits, books and autobiographies.
Elise Townsend has an online store called 'The Bag Department'. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
The Bag Department
thebagdepartment.com.au
A HANDBAG, as every woman knows, is a very personal accessory. Possibly the only fashion item we carry with us every day, we have to love it to make such a commitment to it. A new Melbourne concept has the answer we have been longing for.
Entrepreneur Elise Townsend has created a personalised service where customers can harness the power of the internet to customise their own handbags and choose from a variety of luxurious leather styles and colour combinations, an assortment of unique hardware and different sizes and shapes. The choices are classic, functional and affordable, making it the underground go-to for the perfect wardrobe staple.
Owners Ilana Moses and Georgia Danos in their Grace clothing store in Malvern Rd. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
Grace
595 Malvern Rd, Toorak. Ph: 9827 2133
IT'S hard to walk away empty-handed from this masterfully curated collection of must-have pieces from New York and Paris, as well as select local labels. Stylish, sophisticated, wearable pieces are the trademark of this stand-alone boutique featuring labels including Rag & Bone, Tome, A.P.C and MSGM.
Melbourne friends Georgia Danos and Ilana Moses own the store and also design the in-house Grace label, which has a focus on fabulous fabrics and versatile pieces ranging from everyday to cocktailwear. The warm and welcoming space also has a sense of playfulness about it, featuring a pendant light installation over the counter, while the staff are well-informed and helpful without being pushy. Quirky homewares and books are scattered throughout the store, complementing the array of unique and on-trend fashion and accessories.
The savvy team behind the five-year-old business are mindful of creating an enjoyable shopping experience and regularly offer in-store opportunities, such as the recent manicure bar, as well as online promotions.
Antons store located in Melbourne Central. Picture: Tess Follett Source: HeraldSun
Antons
Shop 10, ground floor, Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe St, city. Ph: 9663 8610
IF sartorial elegance, combined with old-fashioned style and service are for you, then a visit to Antons is a must.
Specialising in tailored suits and shirts for men and women, this eccentric wonderland is a feast for the eyes and the senses. Antons' designs are drawn from vintage suit patterns and fabrics sourced from all over the world, but are all designed, cut and manufactured in Melbourne, giving them an edge with customers who appreciate local industry.
Though not bespoke, customers can choose their style off the rack and select their chosen fabric, lining colour and additions and have measurements adjusted for the perfect fit.
Oscar And Wilde. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Oscar and Wild
788 Burke Rd, Camberwell. Also at 167 High St, Kew.
oscarandwild.com
A CONSISTENTLY well-curated collection of the latest looks from well-known local and international brands, as well as lesser-known labels, makes Oscar and Wild a must-visit for every fashionista.
Gems from Australian designers such as Ginger & Smart, Manning Cartel, Rachel Gilbert and Alex Perry hang alongside M Missoni, Ted Baker, J Brand and BCBG Max Azria, which is stocked exclusively at Oscar and Wild's two Melbourne stores.
Owner Paloma Hatami's philosophy is to source items from around the world that are not widely available in other boutiques - and items that strike the balance between being beautiful, timeless and classic, yet reasonably priced.
With an emphasis on customer service, the boutiques cater to woman of all ages from head to toe, stocking footwear, jewellery, handbags, and come spring racing, a collection of fascinators.
Both stores have a Middle Eastern-inspired interior, enhancing the shopping experience for their ever-changing range of cult brands and hard-to-source labels.
So:me Space
South Melbourne Market, cnr Coventry and Cecil Sts, South Melbourne.
southmelbournemarket.com.au
THINK South Melbourne Market is just about fruit and veg, think again. Not only does SO:ME Space provide fashion-conscious shoppers the chance to buy the latest offerings from both emerging and established designers, it also boosts the fashion and design industry from the ground up by supporting the newest labels that are yet to be represented by major retail outlets.
The mix of brands sold in the space ranges from some of the more established, yet still innovative, brands, to the very latest.
Four pop-up spaces are rotated every four weeks with the best emerging designers of fashion, homewares and accessories. They are surrounded by permanent retailers such as Mr Simple men's street wear, Stone Glint & Bone hand-made jewellery and leather bags, Bleecker Street Vintage, which sells vintage clothing with an environmental focus, and Creatures of Comfort footwear for men, women and children.
Scanlan and Theodore store located in Melbourne Central. Picture: Tess Follett Source: HeraldSun
Scanlan and Theodore outlet
Shop 215A, 2nd floor, Melbourne Central, 211 LaTrobe St, city. Ph: 9639 6500
SUPER stylish and fashion-forward, Scanlan & Theodore has been a much loved and admired Australian fashion label since 1987. Its consistently covetable collections are bang on trend without veering into fashion victim territory.
A favourite with the sophisticated social set, the label can be priced out of reach of the everyday woman - though not any more with an outlet store hidden away on the third floor of the busy Melbourne Central shopping centre.
With discounts of 50 per cent and more off an array of signature styles including dresses, jackets, pants, shoes and bags, it's a true treasure.
Keen on keeping the exclusive nature of the brand intact, Scanlan & Theodore is not interested in publicising the outlet, but we will - it's a beauty for a cheap, chic bargain.
Luisa Warehouse
14/993 North Rd, Murrumbeena. Ph: 9579 1192
IT is said to never judge a book by its cover, and the same applies for never judging a warehouse by its exterior. Because inside this Murrumbeena shed is a roll call of luxury shoes from around the world including Sergio Rossi, Dior, Chloe, Burberry, Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, YSL, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Fendi, Celine, Gucci and Costume National. Luisa's Warehouse is a Melbourne institution where women can indulge in luxury brands for a fraction of the cost.
Design A Space. Picture: Anna Byrne Source: HeraldSun
Design A Space
142 Chapel St, Windsor. Also at 20 Manchester Lane, city, and 212 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
designaspace.com.au
INDEPENDENT Australian designers get their chance to shine in these three creative retail outlets across inner city Melbourne.
Husband and wife team Bec and Chris Lutz established the concept, which supports and promotes more than 100 local designers and includes an eclectic mix of women's, men's and children's fashion and accessories.
Through renting a space, designers can show their entire range in a way that reflects the spirit of their label. Designers rotate on a monthly basis, ensuring every visit to the well-laid out stores is different.
Established labels such as Leonard St and Nancybird are stocked among more emerging designers, with each outlet offering its own unique mix. Many of the better known labels choose to showcase limited-edition pieces or small capsule ranges not available anywhere else.
Bruce store located in Fitzroy North. Picture: Tess Follett Source: HeraldSun
Bruce
150 Gertrude St, Fitzroy. Also at 284 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill.
shopbruce.com.au
THE quintessential Aussie larrikin name belies a treasure trove of second-hand, high-end international designer labels at these two designer consignment stores, with labels including Chanel, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Isabel Marant, Lanvin, Givenchy and Gucci.
Both stores have an individual feel that is specific to their neighbourhood and, while prices are far from rock bottom, they are substantially reduced from original retail.
On any given day, you may come across a beautiful silk Prada dress reduced from $2200 to $479, a Lanvin leather bag reduced from $2000 to $599 or a Paul Smith two-button pinstripe men's suit reduced to $399 from $1300.
With stock turning over regularly, every visit is different, featuring consignments from local lovers as well as private clients in New York and Los Angeles.
Bruce's loyal following of customers is drawn from all walks of life, with the common thread a passion for fashion and individual style.
Hunter Gatherer clothing store in Melbourne city. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
Hunter Gatherer
Shop 51, Royal Arcade (off Bourke Street Mall), city. Ph: 9650 1843. Also at 274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Ph: 9415 7371
THE Brotherhood of St Laurence plucks vintage and retro designer gems from the thousands of tonnes of goods donated by the public each week to stock its two Hunter Gatherer stores.
On-trend women's and men's clothing, preloved jewellery and accessories sit alongside quirky homewares and other treasures in these carefully curated spaces. It's a bit hit and miss, but recent finds include a Burberry trench coat and a pair of Christian Louboutin boots, brand new and with dust bag, for just $200.
The stores also sell a range of boutique jewellery by local artisans. Some of the many hidden delights you may stumble across include Greg Mann, who crafts using antique cutlery, and Run Wild Horses, who turn vintage clock parts into steampunk-inspired pieces.
Hunter Gatherer keeps its prices below its vintage and retro competitors and all profits go to support the Brotherhood's programs and services.
Anna Thomas in her store in Malvern. Picture: Rebecca Michael Source: HeraldSun
Anna Thomas
148 Little Collins St, city. Also at 556 Malvern Rd, Hawksburn.
annathomas.com.au
EXQUISITE tailoring, unique Italian fabrics and exceptional customer service are the key ingredients to Anna Thomas's quiet success.
The former design director for Max Mara's Weekend label has cultivated relationships with high-end Italian fabric mills to offer quality not often seen in local designs. Thomas's attention to detail is evident in her pieces, where the inside of a garment is just as important as the outside.
Her timeless, classic fashion pieces with a contemporary twist have become firm favourites with a devoted fan base who return season after season to supplement their wardrobe staples. Loyal customers are greeted warmly and offered suggestions for pieces that will complement items bought from previous seasons.
While Thomas has five boutiques across Australia, with plans to open three more this year, she has managed to maintain a beautiful bespoke feel to the brand and the shopping experience and it's not uncommon to find the modest Melbourne designer in her stores personally fitting customers.
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