This would have to be one of the most beautifully preserved arcades in Brisbane. With it's olden…read moreday atmosphere, you'd expect the shopping there to be a little but classier, a cut above the rif-raf out on Queen Street, but I find it a bit pretentious, particularly the upper gallery. Looking in jewelery stores up there recently, I felt very alienated by icy shopkeepers. Also, there's quite a few empty stores up there which makes me think businesses might struggle up there. Down the bottom is more lively, with a lovely tea shop, selling a large range of tea pots; jewelery stores; and bridal shops. With the exception of the cheap and nasty accessory store, Colette, at the Queen Street entrance of the arcade, the shops in here require you to have money to spend (or at least pretend you have money to spend). Best not to rock up in your Havianas--it won't help things with the already snooty shop keepers.

I love this arcade, I wish every arcade in Brisbane was like this…read more The architecture has a renaissance feel about it that makes you feel like you have just stepped into old European hotel lobby or opulent castle foyer. Its the sort of place most people probably go to look and admire rather than shop but in saying that it is home to some of Brisbane's most awarded retailers especially if you are after jewelery or bridal wear. If you are looking for a unique gift or something for the person who has everything this place is your treasure trove. I particularly love looking at all the beautiful time pieces in the Vintage watch shop and pens right next door.

This place claims to be a recycled clothing store for imported and designer clothing. Imported they…read moremay be, but, although they stock some nice items and everything in good condition, I am not too sure about how many of them are actually designer brands. It's not what I would call jam-packed full of stuff, with the clothing lining only the walls of the store and some sort of dance floor (what else would that space be for?) in the middle. Even though the items may not belong on Anne Hathaway (the made-over version) in The Devil Wears Prada, there's no question they're good quality and reasonably priced. Everything is jumbled together with no apparent system, so you have to sort through everything to unearth that special piece, but that's half the fun.

This menswear shop manages to pull off a bit of 'discount outlet' vibe while still managing to feel…read morehigh end (well, at least to me). They stock all the conventional standbys in business wear as well as some cool variations on the traditional which will appeal to the fashion forward corporate types. I went there to buy a couple of new shirts before a job interview a few years ago and came away with two shiny new additions to my wardrobe and surprisingly, change from $100. One of the finds, a fine white cotton number with a small collar and buttons down to the navel, has become one of my favourites for its casual yet stylish look and comfortable feel. Oh and yes, I got the job.

We walked in not needing a Thing. But what we Found was the…read moremost beautiful, quality menswear. My son fell in love with suit pants and the were tailored to him on the spot. The women (yes, three women) who waited on us, were so warm and lovely! We will definitely be back! Thank you for a terrific shopping experience!

This ridiculously cute shop filled with wondrously dressy evening attire (or daytime racing…read morecarnival outfits) also doubles as a lash bar. Making your way through the racks of silky, colourful clubbing dresses and floor-length shimmering dresses, you'll make your way to the Lash Bar courtesy of Darin Rose. Get your falsies applied, make up perfected and bat those lids with pride as compliments will surely rain down upon you.

From the owner: Brisbane's only exclusive 'by Appointment' Formal wear boutique. Specialising in Formal Dresses,…read moreBridal gowns, Bridesmaids Dresses, Mother of the Bride, Black Tie and Red Carpet glamour. Miss Savage is the exclusive stockist in Brisbane for designer formal wear labels: Bariano, Bariano Black, Bariano Custom collection and Lumier. As a leader in women's formal wear in Brisbane since 2006, this stunning boutique has one of a kind dresses that will turn heads at your special occasion. The owner is an expert at fitting and styling and making all women feel comfortable & absolutely fabulous.

This funky boutique is a great place to purchase items from established as well as up and coming…read moreAustralian designers. It's a charming little store, with brightly coloured clothing covering the walls, posters on the door and a chalkboard featuring random scribblings. Part of the window display incorporates a small amount of fake turf and a miniature white picket fence encasing a few of the store's items. It's a rather odd idea which somehow matches the shop perfectly. Don't Tell Fannie reminds me a lot of Mombasa in its younger days, when their shops were smaller and more unique.

I like Don't Tell Fannie for its support of emerging Aussie designers. I like it because it sells…read morethe conventional stuff, but also some pieces that are few and far between.I like it because the last time I was there with friends, we were delighted to find that Rachel Burke's brand Yellowcake had found its way here. I like it because it's the perfect little boutique to wander into with friends and spend a while just happily browsing. It's just a really cute place to come when you appreciate more unique accessories and contemporary fashion. There isn't anything in particular that sets it apart, but I really appreciate this place and It's always on my visit list when I go to West End.

With my severe incense aversion, it's amazing I even set foot inside this store. But I had one goal…read more- to get to the soap. Not because I was emitting a stench of any sort, but because the handmade "artisan" soaps in here look utterly, irresistably delicious. They look like frothy, creamy slices of cake (complete with beautifully decorated swirls of "icing"), and they smell absolutely divine. With names like Cherry Blossom and Berrylicious, I'm sure you get my drift. And it only cost $9 to smell that damn good. The rest of the store was your typical hippie fare (fisherman's trousers, smock tops made of Indian cotton etc) - although it wasn't as "batik" and traveller-esque as I've seen in some stores of this ilk - it's a little chicer and the ranges are a little bit more well chosen.

This double rainbow style shop isn't everyone's cup of tea. With a lot of loose fitting tie-died…read moreclothing and a hippyish vibe, I'm sure the owners of this place migrated from Nimbin. It may not be for everyone, but I love stores like this. I wouldn't say that I'm a big tie-die wearer, but I really like some of their other clothes. They also have great service, with the lovely lady working at the time I was visiting absolutely delighting shoppers with her kindness (I saw one customer decide she deserved a hug in return). As I wandered aimlessly through the store, I came across a table with a variety of handmade soaps. As the sign invited me to, I picked one up and smelled it, then another and another. They all smelled absolutely divine. I was sorely tempted to purchase one, but I never use bars of soap (I do use other cleansing products, don't worry). I've made a mental note of their range, in permanent marker, if I ever do start though.

Gold Coast's Trash Monkey have recently opened up a store in Brisbane's China Town Mall. Perfectly…read moresuited to the mish-mash of colour and style of the Valley, Trash Monkey stocks an array of vintage and alternative clothing. The store has been nicely renovated and is a pleasure to browse. There is plenty to look at and the range is worth looking at regardless of your personal style. As a bonus, the store is open until 7pm Monday to Wednesday and Sunday, and open until 9pm Thursday to Saturday.

There is something alluring about vintage clothes and accessories. It seems to me that the 50s and…read moreearly 60s had the perfect blend of classy feminine clothing, that makes me want to go all Mad Men or Grace Kelly around town. Some of the clothing at Trash Monkeys oozes this classy sophistication that I yearn for. They stock a whole range of clothing and accessories from your 50s vintage inspired dresses that I was just talking about to 80s glam rock outfits. They pride themselves in stocking rockabiliy, pin-up, burlesque, punk, steampunk, victorian, lolita and queer gear as well. The store is chocablock full of bits and pieces and you can easily spend your time sifting through it all. Everything here is quite unique and definitely different from your average fashion store. The staff are funky and great for giving real and unbiased advice. They won't let you out of the store in something that looks bad and they are totally happy to have a chat or let you just browse your hours away. The store is also open late so it is easy to go and check it out after work or before a dinner out in the Valley. It is hard to really describe everything on offer here so my best suggestion is just to check it out!