-
Marcs
Sydney's trendiest young hipsters flock to this streetwear-oriented shop to try on the high-quality jeans, chinos, sweaters, shirts and dresses. Search for the good stuff from Europe with labels like Paul Smith and Diesel, or ferret through the great youth label Baby Doll for hipsters, tiny T-shirts and denim jackets.
-
Market City
This mammoth shopping centre includes Paddy's Markets, a big food court, heaps of fashion outlet stores, Chinese cinemas and video game parlours. Shops include Done Art & Design , Bracewell and Oxford .
-
Martin & Stein
Downtown Sydney is a hotspot for stand-out jewellers, comin' atcha like Cleopatra. Martin & Stein offers objects of virtue, antique jewellery and high security.
-
Martin Browne Fine Art
The clientele may be more bourgeois than bohemian, but it's nice that there's still art in the famous Yellow House . Focussing on the contemporary, Browne represents several prominent Australian and international artists.
-
Martin Smith Bookshop
Do bushy-bushy blonde surfies read books? If the crowds at Martin Smith's are anything to go by, the answer must be yes. This tiny cultural oasis in Bondi's literary desert has more books than space - staff scramble up ladders to get to the top shelves.
-
Mecca Cosmetica
Aptly named, this is the make-up mecca for beauty junkies. As well as their own brand, Mecca Cosmetica stock cult cosmetics from Nars, Kevyn Aucoin, Stila, Stephan Marais and Serge Lutens, as well as some cool and well-selected scents. Test the divine blood orange lotion, pick an inky dark nail polish and get a quick make-over if it's not too busy.
-
Mondo
Creative additions to your contemporary lifestyle are found at this cosy boutique, with everything from office accessories and fancy imported perfumes to clothing fashions and small housewares. Owner Ilana Katz makes sure her offerings are affordable and well-designed, and you'll appreciate her efforts.
-
Morrissey
One of Sydney's most recognised fashion identities, Peter Morrissey brings classic style and simplicity with a touch of sexy sparkle to his men's and women's ranges. Also at Westfield Bondi Junction .
-
Mountain Designs
If you're in need of top-quality outdoor goods, this is a fine place to come. Australian- and US-made backpacks, rock-climbing equipment, camping gear, sleeping bags, hiking shoes and travel books are on offer, and the friendly staff can help you with info about excursions or day trips out of Sydney.
-
Mr Stinky
The Stinkmeister deals in groovy vintage gear for cool dudes and saucy babes. The range is wide, the prices reasonable, and the staff friendly and helpful - with no discernable odour.
-
Advertisement
-
Myer
At seven storeys, Myer (ex-Grace Bros) is one of Sydney's largest stores and a prime venue for after-Christmas sales. It's marginally less swanky than David Jones, but you'll still find plenty of high-quality goods, along with slick cafés when you tire of lugging those bags. More branches in the suburbs, including Westfield Bondi Junction .
-
Newtown Old Wares
Yearning for a vintage Cilla Black poster? This funky antique store is home to much that's cool and kitsch from 'deco to disco'. There are old transistor radios, TV sets and telephones as well as groovy furniture, lamps and knick knacks. It's a great shop to potter about in.
-
Nick Brown
If women have little black dresses as their essential fashion item, the men's equivalent should be the crisp cotton shirt. A new Nick Brown short-sleeve may well be the perfect accompaniment to a Sydney summer. He even does made-to-measure to perfectly showcase that worked-out torso.
-
Nicola Finetti
Italian-born Nicola Finetti has been creating beautiful women's clothes in Sydney for around 20 years, offering elegant and feminine designs with a fashionable edge that never wander into the outlandish. Embroidered details, luxe fabrics and smart cutting all come together beautifully in the casual-to-eveningwear collection.
-
Opal Fields
Award-winning jewellery designs incorporating Australia's famous stone are on offer at this fine store. Service is friendly and no-pressure; check out the specimen display case also. They have another store in the Queen Victoria Building.
-
Oroton
Oroton sells sophisticated leathers in a select palette of colours: black, red and tan. Wallets, handbags, belts, shoes, cufflinks and Jackie O-style sunglasses all have the air of instant classics.
-
Orson & Blake
Sydney's most stylish spot to source homewares, with something for the bath (glorious lotions, soaps, towels), bedroom (sheets, robes, pillows) and backyard (statues, urns, pots). Also stuffed bunnies, scented candles and exotic furniture, along with a whole women's fashion collection upstairs. The branch at 483 Riley St, Surry Hills offers a café, more furniture, men's threads and crazy books.
-
Oxford
Another bargain store from a big local brand, Oxford is best known for reasonably priced but stylish modern menswear, although it has now launched a women's range. Think business to smart casual, including well-tailored shirts, suits and ties. For its latest range head to 246 Oxford St, Paddington or their city stores in QVB and Chifley Plaza .
-
Paddington Markets
Very popular, upmarket and pricey, with vintage clothing, creative crafts, beautiful jewellery, tasty food and holistic treatments. Some fledgling designers get their start here. Don't even think about finding a place to park - this is one for public transport.
-
Paddy Pallin
This is a good choice for camping and climbing equipment, ski gear, outdoor wear and travel books (including Lonely Planet ones). Knowledgable staff are on hand to help make your outdoor adventure a memorable one.
-
Advertisement
-
Paddy's Markets
Paddy's is the Sydney equivalent of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, but swap the incense, hookahs and carpets for mobile phone covers, Eminem t-shirts and cheap sneakers. There's over 1000 stalls in this cavernous space - pick up a VB singlet for Uncle Bruce or wander the aisles in capitalist awe.
-
Paspaley Pearls
This shell-shaped store sells lustrous pearls farmed along uninhabited coastline from Darwin to Dampier in Western Australia. Classic and modern designs start at around A$450 for a ring, rising to more than around A$1 million for a hefty strand of perfect pink pearls.
-
Penny Arcade
This unusual concept store from well-known Sydney designer Michael Bracewell brings together his own label and vintage women's clothes he's sourced from Paris and London. It then adds to the mix a funky collection of retro furniture, particularly sought-after Danish and Australian pieces. You'll find straight-up Bracewell stores at Westfield Bondi Junction and 274 Oxford St, Paddington, and a factory outlet in Market City .
-
Pretty In Pink
Sydney designer Jessica McKenzie delivers women's clothes with retro flair and a flirty fun spin in her signature store. You'll find heavily patterned baby-doll skirts along with dresses, lingerie and accessories. Everything is made locally.
-
Puppet Shop at The Rocks
From the ceiling of this wonderful underground treasure chest dangles all manner of stringed things and bizarre, jointed toys. Meet Phillipe, the French owner and world traveller, as he shows you his Burmese and Thai puppets. Almost everything you see is for sale. Kids love this shop, as do grown-ups who haven't watched too many horror stories about killer mannequins.
