From carefully curated boutiques to stores jam-packed with affordable finds, discover unique pieces for a fraction of the price at Sydney’s best, most carefully curated op shops, thrift stores and vintage emporiums.
- 4 min read
Surry Hills
Vibrant inner-city suburb Surry Hills may be known for its pubs, cafes and restaurants, but it’s also a thrifters dream spot. C’s Flashback is a chock-a-block haunt where retro t-shirts reign (many of them sourced from America). Alongside the tees, hunt through the racks for old-school printed Mambo gear, ‘90s leather jackets, sportswear and denim. Zoo Vintage Emporium is packed to the rafters with vintage dresses and accessories throughout the eras, from 1960s sequined dresses to '80s suits and ‘70s tartan kilts. Take your time thumbing through the vintage fascinators, hats and sunglasses, too.
Zoo Vintage Emporium, Surry Hills
While you’re there, almost exactly across the road is Uturn, another vintage shop selling similar stock, with a slightly more name-brand tilt. (Note: there are more Uturn outlets in Rozelle, Bondi Beach, Bondi Junction, Newtown, Campbelltown, Riverwood and Punchbowl). Storeroom Vintage, also on Crown Street, is a good place to sift for rare and vintage printed tees, sportswear, cargos and mini bags.
C's Flashback, Surry Hills
Paddington
William Street in Paddington is known as a boutique shopping haunt, but it’s also a great spot to find luxe vintage. For high-end global designs, don’t miss Di Nuovo. This well-established second-hand retailer stocks items such as preloved Loewe handbags, Chanel boots, Dior heels, Gucci loafers and The Row dresses, alongside many other beautifully constructed pieces. Right next door is long-time consignment store Pelle Shoes, a purveyor of preloved designer shoes, bags and accessories. With new stock every week, look out for well-priced items by Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Miu Miu and Prada.
Di Nuovo, Paddington
Newtown and Enmore
You could spend a whole day hopping between thrift stores along King Street between Newtown and Enmore, one of Sydney's quirkiest shopping strips. Start with Irreplaceable Store - Hollywood actress Zendaya was spotted shopping there while in Sydney promoting her film Challengers. Selling premium vintage, authentic sneakers and collectables, you'll find vintage band, sport and icon tees; old-school workwear; vintage caps; cassettes; vintage denim; and lots more among the racks.
Real King Vintage is a few stores down. It’s one of the suburb’s original second-hand stores and has been dressing local uni students for years. If your aesthetic is vintage military, Japanese denim and bomber jackets, look no further than The Wilde Merchant – the shop with an iconic banana sign on south King Street. Consult the knowledgeable shop assistants as you browse racks lined with military gear, vintage sweatshirts, extensive outerwear and rare t-shirts. At KOT-J, find items by modern designers such as Jacquemus, Maison Margiela, Bottega Veneta, Junya Watanabe and Dries Van Noten.
The Wilde Merchant, King St
Further along King Street, The Real Deal is a sneaker haven. Find some of the best in vintage clothing, modern streetwear and limited sneakers in Sydney, with vintage tees, sweatshirts and jackets, lined up beside limited Nike Jordans and Adidas Sambas. Then duck across the road to Newtown Vintage 313 – you can't miss the giant shoe wall and the colour-coded racks.
The Real Deal, Newtown - Credit: The Real Deal / Vintage & Sneakers
Close to The Enmore theatre, Reunion buys and sells pre-loved clothing by brands such as Balenciaga, Acne Studios, Ganni, Prada, Loewe and Diesel. Don’t expect to see any fast fashion on these racks – the store has strict rules around what punters are able to sell (and donate) or not. Right nearby is Route 66, a good option for those with a penchant for classic vintage Americana clothing – think cowboy boots, western shirts, bolo ties and trucker caps.
Reunion, Enmore
Potts Point and Darlinghurst
Potts Point is a dynamic slice of inner-city Sydney with Parisian-esque streets and eclectic inhabitants. Wayside Chapel’s op-shop loot reflects this – it’s a best-kept secret (there’s also an outpost in Bondi) stocking a diverse mix of designer, vintage and high-street store items. Set on Hughes Street (off Macleay Street), the community op shop stocks everything from Valentino flats to oodles of denim, Prada shirts, jackets, knits and more. All store profits go back into Wayside’s programs and services helping vulnerable members of the community. Potts Point Vintage is also on Hughes Street and is well-worth checking out for a curated range of vintage women’s suits, leather flight jackets and military garb.
Wayside Chapel Op Shop, Potts Point
SWOP Sydney in Darlinghurst works in a similar way to Reunion – the team buys and sells pre-loved designer items, and sellers can receive a voucher for in-store shopping or claim a cash payout. Shop here and you won’t be surprised to find cult labels including Gimaguas, Vivienne Westwood, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, JW Anderson and Suicoke.
SWOP Sydney, Darlinghurst - Credit: Saskia Wilson / SWOP Clothing Exchange
Alexandria
If you're looking for vintage furniture and antiques, head to the warehouses of Alexandria. Everything from huge four-seater lounges to tiny crystal glasses are part of the offering at Mitchell Road Antiques. Peruse the endless aisles lined with Mid-Century furniture, vintage clothes, records, kitsch tableware, collectable toys and quirky lighting. That Vintage Emporium is home to more than 70 stalls selling fine furniture, art, collectables and fabulous chandeliers. If money is no object, The Vault in nearby Rosebery is the place to find that one-of-a-kind antique piece to complete your home.
Mitchell Road Antiques, Alexandria
North Shore
North of the Harbour Bridge, curated op shops and consignment stores await. Find second hand treasures SwapUp in Crows Nest including designer pieces and every day favourites. Muse Relove in Neutral Bay is popular with locals with racks of clothing, handbags, and shoes regularly changing every two weeks. Head to Mosman to shop at Venla, Lovett Store, What We Wore and Closet Couture which are overflowing with quality preloved fashion.
SwapUp, Crows Nest - Credit: SwapUp
Western Sydney
Bargain hunters will love Savers – it’s a thrift superstore with a commitment to reusing and recycling. The 1,600sqm store in Prestons in Western Sydney houses tens of thousands of items, with thousands of new items stocked daily. There are also outposts in Marsden Park and Auburn. The US chain store, the first of its kind in Sydney, is known for its affordability (as vintage and op-shopping has become more popular, prices have inflated), with most items costing less than $10. Look out for clothing, shoes, homewares and books.
Other affordable options include op shop chains Salvos Stores, Vinnies, Australian Red Cross Shop, Lifeline Shop and Noffs Op Shop, which can be found all over Sydney.
Savers, Prestons
Market shopping
Sydney hosts an array of vintage markets both weekly and annually. One of the most popular for bric-a-brac, antiques and second-hand clothing is Rozelle Collectors Markets, held on the grounds of Rozelle Public School every Saturday. The Glebe Markets are also held every Saturday and have lots of pre-loved records, clothing, jewellery and furniture alongside handmade local artisan collectables and delicious food trucks. Surry Hills Vintage Market pops up on the first Saturday of the month and the Second Life Markets at Carriageworks bring together Sydney's best vintage sellers a few times a year.
Glebe Markets, Glebe
