Getting around

Melbourne is an easy city to navigate, with most attractions within walking distance. Transport options include train, tram, bus or bike. myki is Melbourne’s ticket to travel on the city’s trains, trams and buses. It’s a plastic smartcard with stored value which can be topped up and re-used again. Purchase your myki online at the myki website, or at premium train stations, and retail outlets displaying the myki sign (including 7-Elevens).

Morning-9am

Will you go for breakfast bagels at Acardia (193 Gertrude Street)? Or pastries and killer coffee at De Clieu (1/187 Gertrude Street)? Load up on energy for some mega vintage browsing!

Fitzroy

Ensure you have plenty of time on hand to explore this uber cool Melbourne suburb. Getting to grips with this microcosm of the best bits of Fitzroy is equal parts time consuming and rewarding.

VintageGemsMelbourne is the perfect city to explore and uncover that one-of-a-kind vintage wonder!

Gertrude Street-10am

Bruce150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy____

Mon: 10am-5pm, Tues-Thurs: 10am-6pm, Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 10am-5pm

Bruce is hot property on Melbourne’s recycled designer scene. Both the original store in Clifton Hill and the flagship Fitzroy store hold vast collections of second-hand designer gear from iconic and covetable names like Vivienne Westwood, Anna Sui, Jill Sander, Sonia Rykiel, Yves Saint Laurent and Zac Posen.

Ruby Red Dress134 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy____

Mon-Sat: 11am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-4pm

In the market for a vintage fur jacket? Pop into Ruby Red Dress and check out their range. This vintage store on Gertrude Street is relatively small but flush with high quality pieces and the collection of handbags is of particular note.

As you would expect, the focus at Ruby Red Dress is on women’s wear but other stock includes clothing, hats, belts and shoes.

Travel from Gertrude Street, Fitzroy to Johntson Street, Fitzroy

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Johnston Street-11:30am

Nook Vintage258 Jonhston Street, Fitzroy____

Mon-Tues: 12pm-5pm, Wed-Sat: 11am-6pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm

Nook Vintage features a collection that predominantly includes furniture, collectables and homewares with a smattering of signage, maps, clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories.

My Delirium – Premium Vintage and Treasure218 Jonhston Street, Fitzroy____

Thurs-Sun: 11am-5pm

Prepare yourself for the visual onslaught that is My Delirium. Split over two levels, this Johnston Street beauty is bursting with colour. Beyond the glass and metal clad facade you will find an array of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. The collection is small but sensational and all stock is in great condition.

Afternoon

Smith Street-2pm

Sally’s Retro Fashion203 Smith Street, Fitzroy____

Sun-Thurs: 11.30am-5.30pm, Fri-Sat: 11.30am-6pm

Sally’s Retro Fashion was one of the first vintage stores to open up shop on Smith Street some 15 years ago. It is almost hidden away, so look out for the hand-painted, ‘60s-style banner.

Once you step inside, you’ll find a lot of clothes, accessories and jewellery for both men and women, along with other decorative homely bits spread across the split level store.

Shappere191 Smith Street, Fitzroy____

Mon-Wed: 11am-6pm, Thurs-Fri: 11am-6.30pm, Sat: 10am-5.30pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm

Hello pretty vintage dresses! If the wonderfully vibrant fabrics of Shappere’s shirts, skirts and dresses aren’t enough to lure you inside this small vintage store then perhaps the divine collection of leather jackets and shoes will do the trick. The Smith Street store opened its doors in 2008 and is one of two Shappere stores currently operating in Melbourne (the other is located on Chapel Street).

Beyond the enchanting window display you will find a collection of both men’s wear and women’s wear, including shirts, skirts, dresses, jackets, vests, shoes, bags, hats, belts, sunglasses and jewellery.

Travel from Smith Street, Fitzroy to Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

-1pm

Melbourne prides itself on its great coffee and a dynamic art scene. For those who seek out a simultaneous intake of both, head to Juddy Roller (226a Johnston Street) in Fitzroy for a quick bite to eat.

Travel from Johnston Street, Fitzroy to Smith Street, Fitzroy

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Brunswick Street-3:30pm

Hunter Gatherer247 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy____

Mon-Thurs: 10.15am-6pm, Fri: 10.15am-8pm, Sat-Sun: 10.15am-6pm

The racks are tight with polka-dot skirts, funky blazers and retro ties, but you’ll find most of the hunting has been done for you at Hunter Gatherer.

A visit will bring you back to the days spent sifting through grandma’s closet, dusting off old dresses from the fifties and sixties.

Shag377 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy____

Mon-Fri: 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 12pm-6pm

Shag is a veteran vintage purveyor and time has by no means diminished its vitality. This gem of a vintage store can be found on the corner of Rose Brunswick Streets in Fitzroy.

The collection is mostly dedicated to women’s apparel and accessories: shirts, dresses, fur jackets, trousers, skirts, shoes, bags, jewellery, scarfs, hats and much more. Shag’s stock is lovingly displayed and organised with just the right amount of chaos.

Sheila Vintage382 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy____

Mon-Fri: 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-5pm

Just next to the iconic Fitzroy Veggie Bar you will find this unassuming little vintage store.

Given its location on prominent Brunswick Street, the stock in Sheila Vintage is surprisingly affordable. Inside you will find a collection of men’s and women’s attire

– lots of great dresses and blouses for the girls and rad retro t-shirts for the guys.

Evening-5:30pm

After a day of exploring Melbourne’s hidden vintage gems, relax and unwind at Fitzroy’s iconic Veggie Bar – 380 Brunswick Street.

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Melbourne Markets

For unique gifts, one-offs and endless bargains, there’s nothing like a market – and Melbourne has them scattered across the city. Get your hands on fashion, junk, books, vinyl and all kind of bric-a-brac. Held Tuesday through Sunday, there’s one happening near you... Camberwell Sunday

Market - Camberwell

This is Melbourne’s biggest marketplace for pre-loved wares, with 370 outdoor stalls. Find anything from a string of pearls to hardwood furniture. Keep an eye out for Trish Hunter and her Travelling Vintage Shop: the retro caravan is just as gorgeous as the bric-a-brac inside it.

Hello Sailor Vintage Fair - Fitzroy

Features pop-up stores with some of Melbourne’s best vintage collectors, including Nine Lives Vintage and Recycled, Muscrats, Grandma Funk, Marci Vintage, Dear Gladys, Bleeker St Vintage, I Wish I Was a Hippie and more. Most of the stores buy from Europe and the US with kits ranging from the ’20s to the ’90s.

The Southside Handmade and Vintage Market - St Kilda

A monthly event, this Saturday market offers an excellent range of everything vintage. Get authentic old-fashioned clothing, accessories and homewares.

Coburg Trash & Treasure Market – Coburg

At this gigantic outdoor bazaar, a dizzying variety of paraphernalia is up for grabs – old and new, practical and ornamental, chic and kitsch.

Thread Den’s North Melbourne Market

These markets pack the Lithuanian Club with vintage clothing, vintage fabrics, cakes, local design and cute stuff for kids.

Take 2 Markets

Rina Chia and the stallholders at the Take 2 Markets offer quality women’s garments from Australian and international designers. The vintage clothing, accessories and footwear are affordable and all in great condition.

Rose Street Artists’ Markets – Fitzroy

The Rose St. Artists’ Market is where those in-the-know find Melbourne’s best art and design talent. Each Saturday and Sunday there’s a huge line-up of creative types, so expect to feast your eyes on plenty of unique gems and one-off wonders that you won’t get anywhere else! So if you’re a lover of all things handmade then look no further. Come along and experience it for yourself…

Got more time?How about hitting up Melbourne’s famous markets with the task of finding that one-of-a-kind vintage piece…

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