The Best Vintage Clothes Shops in Melbourne

Updated 1 month ago

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Ask anyone to tell you about their favourite vintage find and watch as their face lights up. As they tell you about the suede cowboy boots they found under a dusty table in a vintage store. The Burberry trench they rummaged for in the back of a clothing rack. The old Levi’s that are torn and sun-drenched in all the right places, not from being over-manufactured but from living many former lives.

We remember and revere these items so much because they carry their own stories – whether that’s a decades-old receipt in a jacket pocket or the very tale of how you found your perfect piece. If you’re looking for more of those stories, these are some of the best places in Melbourne to find both eccentric and classic vintage clothes and accessories.

  • One of Melbourne’s original American vintage stores, with more than 30 years in the pre-loved game. Find everything from 1970s Levi’s to vintage Oscar De La Renta, all hand-picked and imported from the US. The clothes and customer service are tailored to your style and needs in equal measure.

  • Set on one of Melbourne’s most iconic strips for second-hand shopping, American Vintage is a one-stop shop for rare vintage straight from the US. Expect to find reams of original tour T-shirts, vintage workers or Harley Davidson jackets, cowboy boots and much more.

  • This curated Californian vintage store feels like it’s on Melrose Avenue in LA, not in the middle of Richmond. Whether you've set your heart on a pair of original cowboy boots, a bejewelled bolero, US army dead stock or some classic Levi’s, you’re unlikely to leave empty-handed.

  • This second-hand consignment store has been on the scene since 2015 and now has counterparts in Collingwood and Prahran. Still, this original location remains the flagship and brims with vintage designer labels as well as other quality garments and accessories. Up to 1000 new pieces arrive each week.

  • A cosy vintage store in a century-old building, where the owner handpicks stock from across Europe, the US and Australia. Expect high-quality pieces including ’70s leather jackets, maxi dresses and the odd piece of mid-century furniture.

  • Most of the hunting has been done for you at this vintage and second-hand clothing boutique, which is organised by dedicated volunteers from the Brotherhood of St Laurence. The racks are tight with pre-loved clothes (both vintage and contemporary), accessories, shoes, homewares and plenty of knick-knacks.

  • A vintage clothing and furniture mecca in the heart of Fitzroy. Expect killer pre-loved clothes from the ’60s through to Y2K-era, alongside mid-century furniture, records, bric-a-brac, and more.

  • A destination for pre-loved designer bags – from Vivienne Westwood to Prada and Fendi. The impressive range is hand-picked at auctions across Australia, Asia and the UK. Plus, there’s plenty of designer clothes, accessories and shoes that are equally hard to resist.

  • There’s good reason why Florence Welch, Anthony Kiedis and Eddie Vedder have visited this vintage store. Around since the late ’90s, it stocks high quality clothes and accessories from the late ’60s through to Y2K. Find Levi’s denim, vintage tees, trench coats, silk scarves and silk blouses, as well as hard-to-find designer pieces.

  • Since 2014, this vintage store has been selling considered clothing, accessories, footwear and bric-a-brac from the ’20s through to the ’90s. Its multi-coloured tiles, nostalgic window display and chic vintage mannequins truly make it feel like a step back in time.

  • This resale boutique specialises in high-end garments by international designers such as Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and Marni. Visit for a salon-style experience reminiscent of the couture houses of a bygone era.

  • Set inside the iconic Nicholas Building, this is one of Melbourne's most famous vintage shopping destinations. It's a treasure trove that calls for a good hour to hunt through its racks of mostly ’80s and ’90s denim, tees, dresses, overalls and more.

  • This bold and glitzy vintage store is one of Melbourne's most iconic. It showcases retro pieces from many eras, be it an ’80s leather jacket, a ’60s day dress or a contemporary rhinestone-encrusted number. Plus, plenty of bright shoes, bags and accessories to complete your look. Also in Collingwood.

  • Trade your own clothes and accessories for cash or in-store credit at this chic, second-hand shop. Or buy something that’s old to someone else but new to you. You won’t find fast fashion on the racks here – just pre-loved, sustainably sourced vintage and designer threads from your local community.

  • A luxe vintage clothing shop in Melbourne's iconic Block Arcade. Here, you'll find an assortment of Australian and international vintage and designer garments – and the stories behind them, too.

  • This store has been selling American vintage clothes, shoes and accessories since the early 2000s. Find colourful staples, as well as more unusual pieces, from the ’80s through to the Y2K era, all set against the art deco backdrop of the iconic Nicholas Building. Its Brunswick Street store is also worth your time.

  • OTC has been a mainstay on Melbourne’s premier vintage shopping strip since the early ’90s. Expect to find mostly ’80s and ’90s pieces spanning denim, branded sportswear, blouses, windbreakers, boiler suits, cowboy boots and more. Its underground CBD store also warrants a visit.