The humble t-shirt's journey from utilitarian undergarment to hipster must-have has reached its…read morenatural conclusion at Flinders Lane's Leonard St. For at this beautiful little boutique a t-shirt will set you back a cool $95. No embellishment, no avant garde cut, no unusual colour. Nada. Just 95 big ones for a humble t. Exhorbitantly plain t-shirts aside, Leonard St. is indeed a gorgeous little boutique. You know those indispensible little tops that are like a halfway house between a blouse and a t-shirt and don't look too exciting on the hanger but become a wardrobe mainstay as soon as you get them home? Leonard St. is arguably the useful top mothership. Colours are subtle, muted and gorgeous, prints at once playful and very, very wearable and despite the sometimes frighteningly high price tags, Leonard St. feels like a very accessible halfway house between uber expensive designer fashion and the kind of clobber that's bound to end up as landfill. A lovely boutique.

Any place that has a collection dedicated to foxes wins my vote, and money! Leonard St is a fashion…read morelabel making simple yet stylish pieces that are affordable, and oh, did I mention borderline quirky? Hello Hydrangea silk print! I went in a few times to their city store while I was in Melbourne and each time was greeted with a wonderful conversation with the sales assistant. My best advice? If you see a piece that you love and think you can't live without, buy it on the spot. I went back a few days later after dillydallying my decision and the beautiful silk print scarf I'd lusted for had sold.

A tiny little retro paradise on Gertrude selling mostly 60s, 70s and 80s vintage clothing, shoes,…read morebelts, bags and a very good range of sunglasses, Moustache is one of my very favourite Melbourne vintage boutiques. I don't know what it is that makes Moustache quite so sweet but I do know that every time I leave I have a little 'Sophie's Choice' moment in sartorial miniature where I can't quite decide which piece of vintage loveliness I'm going to return for. Doing a particularly fine line in sweet vintage frocks, Moustache is the kind of place you're likely to find vintage pieces you'll keep for eons. Not for Moustache the poly garbage and two-year-old Cotton On garb that is omnipresent at Melbourne's other vintage boutiques. No, no, Moustache is serious about its vintage. Prices are kind of mid-range with a dress likely to set you back around $40 - 70 and accessories such as 50s fur stoles going for closer the $75 mark but for vintage this good, forking out is practically obligatory. Absolutely without a - 5 o'clock - shadow of a doubt one of Melbourne's vintage best.

A visit to Moustache is always fun. I love the clothes, I love the vibe and I adore the…read moreaccessories. For some reason the store always seems to smell like Lemon Myrtle or Lemon Verbena - just something I've noticed, but it really adds to the pleasant atmosphere and stops the store from smelling musty. Check out the cute sundresses for summer - last time I was there I spotted some gorgeous cotton mid length dresses in whites and pastels. There is also an impressive range of skirts, tops and jackets. The prices are a little big higher compared to the other stores along the strip, but the quality is high, and the pieces are very unique. The accessories are the main attraction for me. Funky boots in winter and sweet sandals in summer, there are also some great bags including leather satchels for bargain prices. The sales assistant (there is usually only one) is friendly and helpful, and there is a little section for changing around the corner from the counter.

For a city whose residents seem to collectively consider the spring racing carnival tantamount to…read moresome sort of annual religious festival, I'm surprised we've gone this long without a store dedicated entirely to stuff you can put on your head. From beanies to berets and fascinators to fedoras, Hat Mansion has the market covered. Stocking both men's and women's headwear, this is the store to go to if you're in need of something to place above your hair and don't want to end up in the same thing as everyone else. Whilst they have a range of different price points covered, don't expect to see a huge range at chain store prices. The Hat Mansion stock is carefully chosen and in limited quantities. What you get here is service and exclusivity.

Hat addicts beware: this store will entice you and you will find delightful hats to add to your…read morealready burgeoning collection. For the rest of you who don't fall under that category, you're safe! That being said, I refuse to be termed a hat addict just because I love wearing hats. But I have to confess that I am drawn to this little store on Greville Street, first because the owner is so lovely and secondly, to have a look at the latest in head apparel. My latest acquisition from this gorgeous store includes a 50s style plaid hat which keeps me warm and fuzzy on cold nights and folds away easily when it is too warm for it. But besides hats, this little store with big big personality has a huge range of fabulous fascinators for the fashionista in you! If you're in the market for something different - not just run of the mill fascinators that everyone else will be wearing, head into The Hat Mansion and you're sure to find something you'll love! Better yet, bring in outfit that needs that little something extra and let owner, Amanda Johnstone help you pick out something va-va-voom! Perfect for the races, a formal or a wedding you want to shine at. According to Amanda, more people are choosing to wear fascinators to weddings these days so get dressed for success!

So fun. My girlfriend and bought two hats. The man who helped us really knew and loved hats. Asked…read morehim for a suggestion and he got it right in the first try. Love my new hat

Sometimes a man needs a hat - not a baseball cap, a proper hat - and when that happens Smart, Alec…read morehas you covered. (No pun intended.) They stock a broad variety of hats, from flat caps to berets, fedoras, porkpies, bowlers, top hats and even a fez or two. Prices tend to be very reasonable as well.

What a great place this in. In the heart of Melbourne in Little Bourke St this is the go to place…read morefor hats. Great service with very attentive staff, they talk through your needs and requirements explaining very well what they have to offer. Sales are sometime on, and if you are looking for a hat this is the place to go!. No cheapies here, just quality at an affordable price.

Sounding more like somewhere you might find Aussie sock souvenirs (there's an idea - kanga pouch…read moresocks!), this is fast becoming one of my fave places to find cool, quirky fashion accessories. So far I've scored an awesome white fedora with black band (aka Charlie Sheen), and a tribal fashion turban. The range of headwear, scarves and hats are eccentric, original and fashionable and if you're into different types of accessories Aussie Sox could be your place. Obviously they also stock a large range of socks and leg warmers at pretty good value for the whole family.

Dear Melbourne (and particularly the Northside of Melbourne),…read more We are DAMN LUCKY to have been blessed with so many fabulous, quality vintage stores, and yet another example of this is Shappere on Smith Street. Gorgeous dresses, skirts and blouses for the girls, with jeans, leather and plaid for the boys. And the boots! Oh my, the boots. Stunning cowboy, Doc Martens or plain ol' lace-ups in a variety of show-stopping colours. So, if you are on this side of town DON'T BE SILLY, go to Shappere and take advantage of the gloriousness of the Northside of Melbourne, and our passion for quality vintage. Sincerely, Jackie

It isn't the cheapest of vintage clothing stores in Melbourne but then it is Fitzroy, and…read moreShappere's range is rather impressive with lots of pretty vintage dresses and skirts, plus their line of 'remade' skirts and dresses. To accessorise, one cannot look past their enormous selection of leather sandals, shoes, ankle and knee-length boots, and handbags, in colours beginning with B - brown, black and burgundy (there are other colours too, but the accessories are mostly a sea of browns). There is always a lovely item to be found here, so if you're on a mission to find a cute and easy vintage day-dress with matching tan ankle boots and 70s tooled handbag, this is the place for you.

All I ever wanted in life was a man that wore Jack London. I am yet to find this man, mostly…read morebecause I don't date men skinny enough to wear their clothes, but I think it will happen one day. Stylish, trendy but still classic and cool is how I would describe the clothes at Jack London, you also need to be very brave to pull off some of their fashion. But if this sounds like you (i.e. you're a skinny hipster) then Jack London should be your one stop shop. The staff are very helpful and dressed to perfection, so feel free to steal some of their style notes. I admire a man that puts effort in to his appearance and these boys clearly do! It can be outrageously expensive, but I do think their suits are worth the money. They won't go out of style and you'll always impress the ladies (and gents.) I mean, come on, I'm attracted to their MANNEQUINS!

Jack London, made in Melbourne, is full of slim-fitting, slick and flamboyant clothing. If you've…read moregot the guts to wear a white, powder blue or pink jacket then you'll love this store. Trendy, skinny, pretty-boy fashion at it's best. This Brunswick Street store has the nicest staff out of the string of stores.