The best vintage shops in Sydney

Owners Lorraine Foster and Grayson Cole have been collecting and selling vintage clothing for over 40 years, and their shop attracts the likes of fashion magazine editors and TV producers looking for authentic clothing for period film and TV productions. It’s the only vintage store in the CBD, found inside the time warp that is St James Street Arcade.

No one does vintage quite like Zoo. With two floors devoted to their craft, Zoo’s entire ground floor is devoted to sale items only. The store specialises in ’70s and ’80s funk and retro tees.

Since opening five years ago, Reuze Vintage has been quietly developing a reputation for its reasonable prices and reliable range of distinctly Australian pieces, from designers like Linda Jackson, Carla Zampatti and Lisa Ho. Owner Angela Greenaway says she’s very selective about the pieces she stocks, focusing on recycled designer clothing rather than straight-up vintage.

It’s not strictly vintage, as everything in store is 10-15 years old maximum, but the blue painted corner store is a go-to destination for preloved clothing of an exceptional standard. It’s not a cheap store by any stretch of the imagination, but if you’ve got your eye on an item owner Mark Thompson is happy to put it on lay-by for you.

The reigning empress of ’90s crop tops and bralets is Queen Justine Vintage. Step into the Redfern studio nostalgic T-shirts or leotards for your next Retrosweat party.

Greg Harris took over the vintage store on South King Street a year ago, but it’s been part of the Newtown vintage community for around five years. They stock predominantly '80s and '90s fashion with tongue-in-cheek nostalgia, from an ironic Backstreet Boys T-shirt to a Mickey Mouse sweater like the ones you bought at Disneyland.

Men’s clothing of all shapes and sizes have been flown into this Surry Hills store from Britain, Japan and United States. Owner Steve Feng Du has created a stylish store where you’ll come across flat caps and tweed jackets that are new, but made in a vintage style.

Cream on Crown’s sister store is a one-stop shop for flannel, floral and Doc Martens.

The twin store to the Surry Hills shop of the same name contains all the things you’d expect from this longstanding vintage brand: denim, leather and sweats from America and Australia. The Paddo store is packed with weathered dungarees and tea party dresses that attract younger vintage shoppers looking to make their first thrifty purchase.

Head here for modified beachwear from the ’50s and ’60s, daggy Minnie Mouse pullovers from the ’90s and stacks of cut-off denim skirts.

Fabrique Vintage has stacks and stacks of denim, leather shoulder bags and odds and ends shipped from 
Europe. On our visit we found a very cute Girl Scouts of the USA shirt.

Sister duo Sharon Hanley and Teena Borg love the looks from the ’50s, from wiggle dresses to prom frocks, but they recreate the looks from new fabrics.

At this Red Cross store in Newtown, shoppers can find rockabilly and punk styles all for under $30.

Find ancient objects, retro outfits and period mantlepiece items at these antique stores and warehouses.