Sophie Berrill

A few districts are known internationally as vintage clothing goldmines – Shimokitazawa in Japan, Dallas in the USA and Berlin in Germany, to name a few. We think Melbourne deserves a spot on that list too. Not only do we have plenty of quality garments in circulation, but also some great eyes picking out unique collections.  You’ll find a concentration of stores in Fitzroy, with others dotted in the CBD, Brunswick and beyond. In their own ways, these stores revive our city’s fashion history.  They’re also part of a much bigger movement, with online retailer thredUP predicting the secondhand market will double the size of fast fashion by 2030. The future is vintage, baby. Looking to put together a greener wardrobe? Here are Melbourne's best fashion stores. Want pre-loved books for your shelf? Check out Melbourne's best second-hand bookshops.

The banks of the Birrarung (Yarra) where Federation Square sits has long been a gathering place for its traditional owners, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people and visiting Kulin Nations.  Affectionately coined 'The People's Square', Federation Square as we know it today was built in 2002. It remains a meeting place for cultural festivals, art installations, exhibitions, free films on the big screen, broadcasts of major sporting matches and live music. The landmark is home to ACMI, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and Koorie Heritage Trust, as well as dining options like Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters, Hero, Big Esso by Mabu Mabu and Taxi Kitchen.Love or hate its controversial geometric architecture, Fed Square has a great vantage point of other city landmarks and is an easy meeting place—except for some visitors with disabilities. Disability advocates have flagged that its gradient and cobblestones make it quite inaccessible, despite having some accessible measures in place.

Enchanted Adventure allows visitors to get up close to the treetops with a Canopy Walk or a Sky Scramble. The Grand Tree Surf climbing challenge offers an experience for those feeling a little more daring. It features more than 50 obstacles across five levels, including bridges, a rock climbing wall, a Tarzan Swing and ziplines linked to tree-based platforms up to ten metres high. For something more down to earth, there are seven different mazes to weave through, as well as tube slides, colourful themed gardens, picnic areas, hedge topiary, giant sculptures and brainteaser puzzles. Follow this up with a mellowing tipple at a nearby winery, brewery or gin distillery by purchasing one of Enchanted Adventure’s local packages.

Abbotsford Convent is hard to describe in just a few words. It’s an arts and culture precinct that brings together artist studios, writers, musicians, therapists, community organisations, local fashion labels, improv groups, a Steiner school, a community radio station and more.  Collaboration and learning are key values at the precinct, which plays host to changing workshops on topics ranging from grief to gardening. This is alongside exhibitions, talks, book launches, performances and a farmers market every Saturday. While Lentil As Anything closed up in 2022, the convent is home to the popular hospitality venues Cam’s Kiosk, Convent Bakery and Kappaya. The stable force that unites this large community is the breathtaking Abbotsford Convent grounds. Once under threat of demolition, the buildings and gardens were saved with a Heritage listing that recognised its rich history as a convent founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1863. This subsequently operated for over 100 years and thousands of girls and women were placed in care at the convent.

Designer brands abound at Martin Fella in North Melbourne. Chanel, Dior, Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Gaultier, darling. Names, names, names! This shop is small but offers something for those with a discerning eye and expensive taste. Their specialties are vintage designer bags and glass bead purses. Martin Fella also stocks classy pencil skirts, blazers, and gold jewellery, alongside a smattering of jeans, quirky Hawaiian shirts and cheaper non-brand vintage.