They say fashion fades but style is eternal. And if that's the case it's not hard to see why a…read morestore like Camargue has been in operation for almost as long as I've been alive. I'd say shopping the collections curated at Camargue might be the closest you can get to buying style. Take a scroll through their Instagram feed if you need some instant proof. This long-standing Brisbane boutique has found its home on the equally fashionable James Street and among the precincts fashion-forward crowd, it sits like a jewel in the crown. Camargue doesn't have to fight for trend-based buyers because they know who they are and what walks off the racks. I must admit that I've, to date, only taken advantage of shopping at Camargue during their sales periods (which aren't as regular as other mainstream store but the discounts are often greater), but as I begin to shift to building a capsule wardrobe of investment pieces I know that Camargue will be somewhere in my little black book for key purchases.

From the owner: Established in 1978, camargue have been dressing Brisbane's most stylish for over 30 years. The…read moreboutique is fulled with eclectic and quirky pieces, and each visit is an experience. camargue is as much about people as it is about frocks! Fashion is like beautiful food, great books, wonderful travel & lovely music. It's just about spoiling ourselves, and camargue is just very happy to be a part of that. Fashion fades but style is eternal....X

Avoid online shopping! I use online shopping for almost everything and very very rarely need to…read morereturn anything, but this was a disaster in every aspect. The delivery was delayed, information was not accurate and no visibility to taxes and fares exceeded the original reported by over 50%! And the shop doesn't even allow international returns. Never ever again! And the dress unfortunately wasn't as good quality as described, which was the reason I wanted to return the item. Avoid this brand, not worth it!

Capsule wardrobe warriors lend me your ear. Samantha Ogilvie should be one of your handful of…read moreplaces to bring your wardrobe to life. Yes, price tags are more than your average Portmans top, but they're also pieces unlikely to be found on the masses and will last you a lot longer. Think: cost per wear. Cost per wear. Until recently, I'd been stupid and too intimidated to go into this stunning boutique. Stupid because the staff in here are friendly as pie and on the occasions I've now been in, I've felt welcome and never helicopter'd by a sales member. If you're looking for something that makes you feel a million dollars, without the price tag, and without the chances of seeing it on ever Thumbalina, Deidre and Harriet, then this is where I'd send you to shop.

Anyone who says that Brisbane lacks culture need to get their tooshes to James Street in the…read moreValley. This beautiful leafy precinct is home to countless boutiques, salons, galleries, interior design studios, cafes and restaurants. Despite being known as a more ritzy and expensive area, there are plenty of things to do on James Street on a budget such as getting a fantastic cup of coffee from Merlo, seeing an art-house film at Palace Centro cinema, or even just browsing the one off shops in the area. Even as a person who lives close by, I'm never bored on James Street. There are constantly new businesses opening in and around the precinct making it a fantastic place to meet friends or spend your day off. In the middle of 2011, James Street launched Thursday night Up Late, allowing for longer trading hours and a night time option for patrons. James Street is the perfect place to waste a beautiful, sunny Brisbane day. And if you have an interstate or international friend to impress with food, wine, shopping or culture, James Street should be a priority on the itinerary.

This is quite a really nice street. Boutique retailers, bars, and restaurants. When you do come…read morehere, you can window shop, and if you spend, prepare to spend $$$. During the day , this place has a certain humm about it. Have a really nice coffee in one of the many " nook " Cafes scattered up and down the street sitting on the foot path , people spotting, and car spotting as well. By night the place transforms , into a hustling, bustling, night spot. Quite during the week, but Friday and Saturday nights, this place goes off. From the fairy lights in the trees,gleaming Lamborghinis , Porsches, Ferraris, to the beautiful babes. The restaurants and bars, definitely worth the look. When here try , The Cru bar,6's & 7's, Gerad's bistro & bar. Bucci, The QA, Ribs and Burgers, The Yiros shop, and much, much more.

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!

This op shop has what a lot of op shops don't have these days.... Great Prices! Yep, it's still…read morepossible to pick up a shirt, skirt or shorts but just a couple of bucks. No one is going to pay $10 for a 2nd hand Target shirt when they are only $15 in the shop, brand new. So, this Red Cross is taking the right approach in selling by volume to raise money for their charity. This makes it a good option if you are looking for outfits for fancy dress parties, where you don't want to spend a fortune for an outfit you may only wear once. Snaps to you McWhirter's Red Cross!

There's a great op shop in the McWhirters building in the Fortitude Valley. The Australian Red…read moreCross op shop has a fantastic Retro section of clothes - with costumes and vintage gear. They also have a good selection of books, shoes and clothes to rifle through and find a bargain.

Oh Leona, why must you tease me so! It's bad enough with all the beauty that's in your current…read morecollections, let alone your vintage wear. And now you've gone and opened a shop off James Street specifically for your vintage items? You mock me! Seriously though, Leona Edmiston's Vintage store, the newest addition to the James Street precinct, is just ridiculously beautiful. I'm not just talking her gorgeous frocks, but also shoes, handbags and scarves. It's like a dream come true! I do have a bone to pick with Leona though. Normally I am a size 8-10, yet even her extra small sizes don't fit me! So naturally when I walked in to the 50% off sale the other day, I was cheesed off for the first time in my life for being too small for something (when normally this is celebrated with a glass of champagne). The shop attendant who was assisting me was delightful, to the point where I walked out feeling as though I'd made a new friend. For any fan of pre-loved fashion or accessories, take a little wander round James Street until you find Leona Edmiston Vintage. The beautiful items on the racks are to be adored not ignored.

Leona Edmiston's Vintage boutique might be just off the main James Street fashion strip, but it's…read moreworth the 2 minute detour to explore one-off dresses, end of season wonders and pre-loved Leona garments. I popped in on a Sunday afternoon and couldn't resist the call of a sale. The sales assistant was lovely without being pushy and I felt at ease, not in any particular rush or resentful of "sold to". Be warned, there's no mirrors in the change rooms so you do have to leave the comfort of the cubicle to see the dress on you, but don't fear, the lighting in this boutique is so soft and flattering I'm convinced the dress I bought looked better on me in store than it does now in the harsh light of my humble abode.

Ultra Suite is the ultimate in unique and fabulous party frocks and formal wear. With short and…read morelong styles to suit any occasion, I have long loved their window displays and stared longingly through at the fantastic crisp silk fabrics and strong lines of the Ultra Suite brand. Partners Sally and Michael have gathered quite a following for their gorgeous gowns, and they not only stock the Ann St store but also make-to-order for formals, weddings and other occasions. But beware - this is not affordable high street fashion. This is high-end fabulousness and a full length gown will set you back upwards of $500 while the shorter cocktail styles sit around $300. What you are paying for is quality and individuality, and that's what makes the Ultra Suite brand so popular. A fantastic addition to any wardrobe.

Ultra Suite has always been in the periphery of places I could visit, have always seen when passing…read morethrough the Valley, but have never actually set foot in until recently. Some of the dresses in Ultra Suite are really gorgeous, and I'm particularly a fan of the tulip-style strapless dresses they seem to have such a penchant for making. You walk into a sea of taffeta going to Ultra Suite; taffeta in a range of lovely colours and summery dresses that never go out of style. There isn't much else I can really say about Ultra Suite, except that their clothing - and particularly their dresses - is really lovely and classic; great for a girl who wants to go out on the town in style. Carry your credit card though, because it can get a little pricey, as with any premium clothing boutique.

You know how sometimes there's shops you want to visit but you don't dare walk in because you feel…read morelike it is too cool for you? Sunday Social was one of these shops until today. With friends visiting from San Francisco we were exploring Winn Lane and I finally ventured into this small nook known as Sunday Social. Upon walking in I realised it was the exact opposite, there's something for everyone here. Full to the brim with carefully selected vintage clothes and accessories I began searching through the racks with endless pieces catching my attention. I couldn't resist walking out of the store with two tops for $90, which, if you think about your mainstream stores could easily equate to one top that a handful of others will also be wearing. For the same price I've gotten two tops, that I'll be hard pressed to find others wearing. Best of all as an introvert, the sales assistant let us just browse without hovering over our shoulders at every second. Sunday Social feels like discovering a secret world of clothes with great stories. I'm so glad I walked in and know I'll be back to revisit their racks for one of the kinds from this vintage wonderland.

Yay, more vintage! Sunday Social is a really cute little place nestled in the tiny Winn Lane market…read morearea. I had never even heard of the Winn Lane markets until my friend suggested we stop by on one of your shopping trips in the Valley. The lane is lined with drawings on the walls and market stalls, all filled with lovely jewellery pieces and vintage wares. It reminded me a lot of the lanes and alleys you find in Melbourne so I was more than enthused to see what was down there. It's so nice and secluded that you feel a little like Alice going down the rabbit hole. Anyway, enough about the lane itself. Sunday Social is perched at its end like a tidy little cottage. It's a tiny, gorgeous little shop with vintage clothes and pieces, including a very sweet range of shoes. Indie kids would have a field day in Sunday Social, but I also think it has a little something for everyone. Their pieces are just so gorgeous with bags hanging in its middle with accessories dotting the central table. Guys are confined to a rail and a few shoes but girls have their pick. They have clothes from cute peter pan collared dresses through to funky light, fluttery tops. There's also a really random but totally awesome Indian headdress behind the counter the wall too, just for a little bit of flair. I hear this gorgeous little place went from being a market stall along Winn Lane to a now staple store with four walls. It's no wonder, because they have such gorgeous novelty vintage pieces that you'd be crazy to pass by. Sunday Social has no phone number as yet but you can email them! sundaysocialstore@gmail.com

If you haven't been to Apartment before, it can be a little task to find. On the first level of a…read morebuilding that looks like it would be filled with, well, apartments, is this men's clothing store. It was recommended to me by a friend when I said I was in a pickle finding something for my partner for Christmas. Although I didn't find anything this time I will definitely be taking him to Apartment to check it out for himself. The long thin store stock designs mostly from Japan, as well as men's shoes, magazines, hair products and cologne. The clothing is functional and funky. Don't be fooled though, they put all the small sizes on the racks but there are more at the back of the store. There's usually only one or two of the same item hung up at the same time. Despite the high prices, these are the kinds of clothes you can't really find anywhere else in Brisbane. If you are a fashion forward young man, or you have one in your life, I definitely suggest giving Apartment a look. Don't be overwhelmed with the prices, because these kinds of clothes are investment pieces that will last a life time if looked after.

Apartment is one of the only decent men's clothing stores left in Brisbane, this store is hidden…read moreaway on Charlotte street (hiding from the fast fashion peasants perhaps), and sells brands that are hard to find outside of Melbourne/in Australia. A lot of their products are imported directly from Japan; Neighborhood, W Taps, Comme des Garcons and Head Porter to name a few brands. Prices reflect the quality and exchange rates of the garments so save up your pennies and buy yourself some premium threads from Apartment.

Ah Lifeline, the Valley wouldn't be the same without you. Home to many preloved items from…read moreclothing, shoes and accessories, to books, egg holders and bunged up photoframes- this place has a lot to offer. Not only do they sell your regular thrifty goods, they also have a wide variety of crazy, costume-like outfits. If you needed anything fancy-dress, you'll find plenty of dresses with sequences and random feathered berets. For men, there are lots of old school jackets, coats and ties. There are quite a lot of fun secondhand things to buy here, but be aware the prices are considerably higher compared to other suburban Lifelines. It must be the rent they pay for this place- high overheads reflected in product price. However, there is a lot more choices and funkier ones at that.

Walking into Lifeline on Ann Street you may be struck by the amount of brightly coloured clothing…read morein there. It seems as if the garments on offer there have been hand-picked to suit the eclectic culture of Fortitude Valley. Those Lifeline employees may be more business-minded than everyone thinks. Personally, I've never found much of interest in here, but I continue to go in and look whenever I'm in the area because it's well-organised and packed with stuff and I live in hope of one day finding a gem there. It may not be the cheapest op-shop town given it's location in trendy Fortitude Valley, but the prices aren't so inflated that you won't be able to find a bargain.