Clothing shopping in Australia
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Wheels & Dollbaby
‘Clothes to Snare a Millionaire’ is the name of the game here, and what a wicked, wicked game it is: lace, leather and leopard print; studs, suspenders and satin. Tight wrapped and trussed up; it won’t just be the millionaires who’ll be looking your way. Male rockers will have to settle for T-shirts.
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Atlas Divine
Hip women's and men's clobber: jeans, quirky tees, dresses etc.
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Captains of Industry
Where can you get a haircut, a bespoke suit and pair of shoes made in the one place? Here. The hard-working folk at Captains also offer homey breakfasts and thoughtful lunches. To work!
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Collette Dinnigan
The queen of Aussie couture delivers fabulously feminine frocks with exquisite trimmings.
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High Tea With Mrs Woo
Natural fabrics and a Japanese sensibility characterise the stylish ensembles designed by the three Foong sisters.
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Midwest Trader
Stocks a toothy range of punk, rock, skate and rockabilly gear.
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Wheels & Doll Baby
Punky rock-chick chic with a bit of baby doll mixed in. Perhaps Perth fashion's coolest export, being worn by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Debbie Harry.
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Love in Tokyo
Local designer turning out gorgeously fashioned fabrics for women.
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Mavericks
Attached to the Great Western Hotel, Mavericks sells quality belt buckles, Akubra hats, stockman whips and other countrified regalia.
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Sinerji
A generation from Hastings St, this shop sells locally designed women's and men's wear, using fabrics made from natural, organic materials. It's fair trade and fairly priced.
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Irregular Jeans Warehouse
Just as it sounds, this large factory outlet has trestle tables and racks laden down with denim and more, from brands big and small. You'll also find shirts, skirts, jackets and accessories.
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Provider
If the term ‘Air Max’ flips your burger, you’ll love this trainer temple that stocks Nike to New Balance and what’s known as street apparel. There’s also a branch in the city centre
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Country Road
With hip designer Sophie Holt behind them, Country Road's new products sport a welcome youthful element alongside the old traditional lines. All ages and both sexes are catered to; plenty of CR branches dot the city.
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Luft
A neighbourhood favourite for big-name design stars like iittala, Hackman and Marimekko; it knows its lighting. Look for local Mark Pascal’s curvy woven shades that can be made to order in a range of colours and shapes.
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L
Bang-on
Bang-On is a custom T-shirt shop with an extensive (and expensive) range of decals to print on non-sweatshop T-shirts: everything from obscure ’70s album covers to your favourite socialist icons and grinning David Hasselhoffs.
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American Rag
American Rag has been dressing Melbournians in vintage threads long before the fashion magazines got hold of the notion. It is particularly strong on ’50s and ’70s pieces; most tend towards rock and roll rather than couture.
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Seafolly
Here’s where the famous Aussie women’s swimwear label sells its sexy seconds, samples and discontinued lines. As well as bikinis to battle over, there are bargain sarongs, boardshorts and tracksuits to be had. Ain’t no folly.
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O
Cambodia House
Consumerism with a conscience, this not-for-profit store has a cool collection of Khmer arts and crafts, including hand-loomed silks made into handbags, scarves and bedding. You’ll also find nifty lanterns, candles, tableware and carved statues.
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Akira Isagowa
Meticulously tailored ensembles featuring gorgeous fabrics. There's another store in the Strand Arcade.
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Collette Dinnigan
Hollywood’s Aussie gals head here whenever they need a new slinky beaded, sequinned or lacy number for a red carpet (Nicole or Naomi might be in the next change room). The queen of Aussie couture delivers fabulously feminine frocks with exquisite trimming.
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Route 66
Route 66 has been dressing Melbourne cowboys and girls in American vintage for years. Find top-quality bowling shirts, va-va-voom pencil skirts, seamed stockings and baseball jackets, as well as its own range of custom clothing. The Garage also has in-store gigs; check the website for details.
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Corner Shop
This treasure trove of a boutique is stocked with unique and original foreign goodies like stylish jeans, cosy turtlenecks and wispy things that go 'slink' in the night. There's a healthy mix of casual and high end, with some jewellery for good measure.
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Zomp
At sale time or on a Saturday afternoon there’s a thinly veiled air of hysteria in here; shoes can do it to the best of us. The range is the main draw: you can get anything from a pair of superb Italian boots that will cost most of a week’s wage to a pair of knock-off ballet flats or flip-flops for well under $100.
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Vegan Wares
Vegan Wares makes shoes from microfibre rather than leather so they're perfect for people who eschew animal products but still want something durable, comfortable and fashionable on their feet. The funky footwear comes in a broad range of styles for men, women and unisex, and can be made to order. Belts and wallets are also available.
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