Sydney is Australia's fashion capital. Whatever your tastes or budget, you'll find something that makes your heart flutter – and your credit card ping – along one of these shopping streets.
- 5 min read
Pitt, Elizabeth and Castlereagh streets, CBD
Start your shopping spree at the Queen Victoria Building, built in the 1890s and beautifully restored in the 1980s. There are five levels to explore, from high street fashion to antique jewellery and everything in between. From there, follow the underground arcade lined with fashion boutiques to reach Pitt Street Mall and Westfield Sydney, home to more than 250 stores. Sydney’s flagship department stores David Jones and Myer sit opposite each other on Pitt Street, stocking fashion, cosmetics, toys, electronics, homewares and more.
Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
Nearby, on the corners of George, Park and Pitt streets, is the strikingly modern The Galeries. Here you'll find several floors of fashion, food, books and technology, plus exclusive outposts of Japanese stores like Kinokuniya and Muji. Further along Pitt Street is the elegant, 19th century Strand Arcade, with its crop of bespoke designers, jewellers and artisans set inside faithfully restored shopfronts beneath an ornate curved ceiling.
The Strand Arcade, Sydney
Luxury shoppers should head straight for Castlereagh Street and Martin Place. Grand flagship boutiques from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany, Bulgari and Hermes line the streets. Look out for eager shoppers lining up behind the velvet ropes outside the more exclusive stores or skip the queue with an appointment for a private shopping experience. Inside the new 25 Martin Place (formerly the MLC Centre) find Missoni and Dolce & Gabbana.
The Intersection and Oxford Street, Paddington
One of Sydney’s most stylish suburbs, Paddington is packed with high-end chain stores, designer labels and luxury boutiques. Start at The Intersection on the corner of Oxford Street and Glenmore Road. This is the place for Australian designer shopping with stores from Zimmermann, Scanlan Theodore, Flannel, Bassike, St Agni, Viktoria & Woods, Rachel Gilbert, Jac + Jack and many more. Find the next local design star at the Paddington Markets, held in the grounds of the Uniting Church every Saturday morning.
Bassike, Paddington
Busy Oxford Street is lined with shops on both sides. Fashionistas flock to Parlour X, a glamourous boutique housed inside an historic church, stocking international brands like Chloé, Fendi, Balenciaga, Valentino and Saint Laurent. Browse for books in the three-storey Berkelouw flagship or find quirky gifts in Opus. Menswear is well represented too, with Model Citizen, VARQA Homme, Belance and a number of bespoke tailors.
Parlour X, Paddington
Macleay Street, Potts Point
A little slice of Paris in Sydney, Potts Point is all leafy streets, alfresco cafes and elegant terraces. Its stores channel the same sense of Bohemian chic. For fashion, head for A Date With Mabel, Locale Potts Point, Arida or byfreer. Chic European-style furniture, homewares and linen are on display at the opulent Greg Natale showroom. More furniture and homewares line the shelves at at Macleay on Manning, while the cool and quirky Becker Minty mixes antique and contemporary pieces. There’s lots for vintage shoppers in Potts Point with Macleay Concept Store, Potts Point Vintage and Lou Murray Vintage, plus the Wayside Chapel Op Shop nearby on Hughes Street.
Macleay on Manning, Potts Point
Queen Street, Woollahra
Woollahra is at the top of Oxford Street and its main strip is Queen Street, home to a chic assortment of fancy fashion, homewares and jewellery stores. Find a statement piece among the unique designs at Australian label Moss & Spy, a favourite of Queen Mary of Denmark. Book a personal styling session to find the perfect outfit. There’s more designer fashion at Reads of Woollahra, Riada Concept and Aquel. Fill your home with elegant furniture from Parterre or search for that one-of-a-kind piece of antique jewellery from Anne Schofield Antiques.
Moss & Spy, Woollahra - Credit: Moss & Spy
Bay, Knox and Cross streets, Double Bay
The elegant harbourside suburb of Double Bay is renowned for its shopping along tree-lined Bay, Knox and Cross streets. Cross Street is home to jeweller Jan Logan (who has a celebrity clientele that includes Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift), and Mode Sportif, which is a great place to pick up designer contemporary labels. Browse luxe international labels at ACO and Elizabeth K on Bay Street, while Knox Street is home Cosmopolitan Shoes, which is full of high-end footwear and accessories. On Knox Street, Hannah Artwear creates moving works of art with its exclusive fabric prints. For pre-loved luxury designer fashions at bargain prices visit Double Bay’s crop of consignment stores like Secondo, APT57 or Revivre.
Hannah Artwear, Double Bay - Credit: Hannah Artwear
Campbell Parade, Gould Street and Hall Street, Bondi Beach
Surf shops rub shoulders with designer labels and an ever-growing list of swimwear stores along the main strip of Bondi Beach. Pick up a surfboard, wetsuit or pair of boardies at Surf Culture, Between the Flags or The Critical Slide Society. Bikinis abound at bond-eye, Baku, Salty Johnson, Seafolly, White Sands and Budgy Smuggler. Capture that quintessential beach babe style at Tuchuzy, Sir, Zulu & Zephyr, Nude Lucy and One Mile.
Tuchuzy, Bondi Beach
The pretty in pink Playa is the first concept store for jewellery designer Lucy Folk, stocking her signature range of quirky and colourful pieces as well as international brands you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Purchase a piece from famed surf photographer Euguene Tan at his Aquabumps gallery. Bondi Wash creates all-natural products for your body, home and even dog, scented with Australian botanicals.
Aquabumps, Bondi
Military Road, Mosman
On the other side of the harbour are the stylish home, art and design stores that line Military Road in Mosman. Stock your space with beautiful things from Manyara Home, Renee’s House of Designs, Home & Clan, and Jagcomm. For jewellery, Sarah & Sebastian crafts exquisite, one-of-a-kind pieces. The stylish Mosman outpost feels more like a museum than a store. At Lily & Mitchell, find necklaces, bracelets, earrings or rings from a range of different designers.
Manyara Home, Mosman
Fashionistas are also well catered for on Military Road. Browse stores from popular Australian labels like Mister Zimi, Khivari, Lee Matthews, Carla Zampatti, Manning Cartell and Bec & Bridge. For a mix of local and international brands, visit Fox & Dove, Khlassik, Burke Boutique, Moya, and Betty & Lola. Hunt through the racks at Venla Resell + Relove to find preloved designer gear.
Venla Resell + Relove Mosman, Mosman - Credit: Venla
Crown Street, Surry Hills
There’s a little bit of everything along Surry Hills’ Crown Street and the smaller streets that run off it. Look for second-hand gems at UTurn Vintage, C’s Flashback and Zoo Emporium, where 1960s cocktail dresses sit alongside retro band t-shirts and designer sunglasses. The Surry Hills Vintage Market is held on the first Saturday of the month and brings more unique sellers to the suburb.
Zoo Emporium, Surry Hills
Visit the minimalist Above the Clouds flagship store for high-end streetwear and sneakers. The Standard Store stocks hard-to-find international labels and Elms Store is packed with beautiful clothing, jewellery, homewares and toiletries. Book lovers will find something special in Title, while Danish stationery, glassware, textiles and lighting line the shelves at Hay.
Elms, Surry Hills
King Street, Newtown
With its huge population of students and young people, it’s no wonder that Newtown is a hub for vintage shopping and up-and-coming brands. At least a dozen second-hand shops line King Street, including Real King Vintage, Newtown Vintage 313, The Wilde Merchant and Irreplaceable Store. Don’t miss the giant sneaker wall at The Real Deal, where old school Jordans, Air Force and Sambas are on sale.
Newtown Vintage, Newtown
King Street is also famous for its independent bookshops, like Gould’s, Better Read Than Dead and Elizabeth’s (where you can choose a book wrapped in brown paper for a literary ‘blind date’). Musos will love the underground music on vinyl, CD and cassette at Repressed Records. Find chic basics at Maplestore and AS Colour or go for over the top colours and patterns at punk-inspired label Dangerfield. Make a purchase with purpose at The Social Outfit, which works with refugee women to give them new skills as they create ethical and sustainable clothing.
Elizabeth's Bookshop, Newtown
Darling Street, Balmain
Spend a pleasant afternoon wandering along Darling Street in the charming village of Balmain, lined with heritage pubs, busy cafes and pretty boutiques. Find independent fashion at Johnston & Bell, Strelitzia, Bounce and duckeggBlue. Pick up high-end homewares at Mecque, the latest books at Hill of Content and authentic textiles at India in Balmain. Finish the day with a gorgeous bouquet from Ally Bell Floral Design.
Ally Bell Floral Design, Balmain - Credit: Ally Bell Floral Design
