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The best vintage shops in Sydney

Everything old is new again at these emporiums of yesteryear chic

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By Emma Joyce Posted: Thursday February 4 2016

Get all dressed up in frocks from the 1950s, flares from the swinging sixties and super trendy smocks from the ’70s. You can find outfits from all the ages at Sydney’s best vintage shops, and the homewares to match at Sydney’s best antiques shops.

Blue Spinach

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.

Darlinghurst

Blue Works

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.

Surry Hills

The Collective Ensemble

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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.

Newtown

Cream on Crown Surry Hills

Pick up a recycled Tommy Hilfiger shirt to match your cut-off denim shorts at the Surry Hills store, or head to Newtown for vintage cotton dresses and retro band tees.

Surry Hills

Cream on King Newtown

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

Newtown

C’s Flashback Surry Hills

Like its Paddington sibling, this store is a go-to for men’s and women’s denim and leather jackets. You’ll find fur coats and frilly frocks, plus shoes in all levels of distress.

Darlinghurst

C's Flashback Paddington

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.

Paddington

Dolly Up

Dolly Up has dresses for special occasions from labels like Valentino and Neiman Marcus. You’ll find tea dresses from the 1930s to silky jumpsuits from the ’70s.

Redfern

Fabrique Vintage

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.

Darlinghurst

Miss Brown’s

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

Surry Hills

Potts Point Vintage

Furs, bridal dresses and menswear are specialities here, and owner Arnold Kieldgaard also has a soft spot for vintage glassware and English fine china and anything from the 1930s.

Potts Point

Queen Justine Vintage

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.

Redfern

Retrospec'd Clothing

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.

Newtown

Reuze Vintage

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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.

Paddington

Sammy & Sid

This Northern Beaches boutique is where the smart shoppers of Manly pick up second-hand brands without the price tag. We find a near-new jumpsuit from Zara for under $200 and a ’90s romper for $100.

Manly

The Vintage Clothing Shop

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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.

Sydney

Three 5 Nine King

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

Newtown

Zoo Emporium

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.

Darlinghurst