This is a much more student-friendly version of Retro Metro, offering vintage items at way cheaper…read moreprices. Extending a fair way back from where it tumbles out onto the footpath, the racks are packed with all sorts of men's and women's clothing. Lots of well known brands can be found here; I unearthed a Cooper St dress for only $10. Not all of the items are such bargains and the quality is not quite up to the same standard as the main store, but there's so much here that you're bound to find some sort of hidden treasure. The service is also very friendly; the guy working at the time was helpful without being pushy, something I think most people prefer. I think there aren't many things worse than an overly inquisitive shop assistant clearly intent on forcing you to make a purchase. If you're in the market for some vintage clothes, I suggest you check this place out before venturing to its more expensive counterpart. Because a lot of the store is outside, the opening hours are weather dependent. There is no phone number for this store, so if in doubt call the number listed above (for the main Retro Metro) and they'll be able to help you.

I used to walk past this place for years before I eventually went in. Whether I finally did was…read moreowing to a warming to second-hand clothing or an improvement in Retro Metro's stock, I'm not sure. But the stock is good. And cheap. Actually, thank God for Retro Metro. It is the one second-hand clothing store in Paddington that is not ridiculously overpriced. The clothing ranges from the horrible 1980s, the faded and almost-unidentifiable 90s and - most importantly - to the decent 70s-style clothing that's hip again. And, unlike many of its peers, the clothing is all of good quality and there's none of that musty-mothball smell. The store also boasts new stock - a few pieces from local designers with a slightly more expensive price tag (around $25 as compared to $10 for a second-hand maxi-style dress). A lot of this new stuff is excellent, and would be a big draw-card for fans of long, flowing dresses in modern prints. Inside the store are a few more zany, non-clothing items - gun holsters, books and intriguing little trinkets - and the respectful owner. He's a nice guy and once sold me a pile of books I liked the look of for $1. If you're at all open to the idea of second-hand clothing and/or cheap local designs, go here. I apologize in advance for the inevitable 2km walk from where you eventually find a car spot.

The West End Vintage and Designer Markets are on the first Saturday of each month. You'll need to…read moremark into your calendar that you're busy then because trust me, you're not going to want to be anywhere else. This is a place where fashion dreams come true- I should know. I'll never forget the day the caramel brown, knee length, suede, belted jacket of my dreams manifested itself onto a hanger at these markets. Price tag $40. Believe me now? If you like all things vintage, this is THE place to shop- here's why. Some of us get disheartened and feel downtrodden when we walk into an op shop and find that the closest we can get to vintage or retro is a 1990's Target A-line skirt that just might look cute it enough if you pair it with your stripey boat neck tee and cons and put yourself on a bike and ride around the streets (you ride fast enough so people don't notice that you're committing vintage fraud). The good folk who run the stalls at these markets hear your cries for genuine vintage, and travel far and wide to retrieve antique threads for you to peruse and buy. They bring them to one location and create a huge treasure trove that, for those real vintage lovers out there, may bring a tear to the eye. They've got all needs covered. Girls, you'll have a good chance of finding whatever your heart desires. Whether it's a 1960's green, polka dotted wiggle dress, or a 1970's halter sunsuit with heliconia print, or a 1980's metallic black tafetta and satin prom dress- you'd best look here. These markets are quite good for catering for the guys too, which is something other fashion markets sometimes have trouble with. You may be wondering why 'Designer' is included in the market name. Well, it's because outside of selling vintage wares, some people have stalls where they sell their second hand designer threads. They're usually in perfect nick and sold at a reasonable price. By reasonable, I mean cheap. Cheap as chips. The best thing is that the previous owners are selling their goodies direct to you before they're off handed to someone else who'll put the price up to something unbearable. In love yet? Arguably, the best part about these markets is that they're held at the Rumpus Room. It's an irresistible setting. While you're rifling through goods, justifying random purchases (yes, my mum would love that tablecloth with embroidered budgerigars on it) and envisioning yourself in yesteryear's impossibly exquisite clothes, you'll find yourself busting out some of your own vintage dance moves, because the DJs are there all day spinning vinyl- and you can't help but get swept up in it. When you find yourself thinking you could do with a cool beverage, you won't have to go far- you only have to shuffle/ hustle/ do see do/moonwalk a few steps towards a fully stocked bar. Then, when you get tired, you can go toy with your new threads and crockery in the beer garden and watch other market goers and flaneurs enter the chaotic and decadent maze of vintage goods that is the West End Vintage and Designer markets. Go on. Pencil it in. First saturday of every month. Invite your friends, make a day of it.

The Vintage and Designer Markets at Rumpus Room are on the first Saturday of every month. This is a…read moregreat market which I enjoy shopping at. It is not AS vintage as the name makes it out to be. There is only one true authentic vintage stall with another one which sells modern remakes with the occasional authentic piece. But don't get me wrong, these two stalls definitely bring back the vintage! They have great wares at reasonable prices. The designer stalls are fantastic, so many different goodies at great prices. Almost everyone will also have a $2 case where you can pick up a whole new wardrobe if you look hard enough. The drinks from Rumpus Room are a bit pricey and the cocktails can be deadly if they're not prepared by an experienced bartender. But they never object to outside food and drink being brought in. I really love this market, rain or shine it makes for a great day out wether you're alone or with friends.

For what this store does, it does well. Women's accessories and fashion. It's a little hodge…read morepodge of women's stuff. From clothes to soaps to handbag hangers (this new item is popping up everywhere these days)... this place is very delicate and beautiful. The items are sourced from all over the world - Israel and Turkey as well! They stock one of a kind items of handbags, shoes and little crystal presents for all sorts of ladies. It's not exactly an op-shop for ladies items but if there was an op-shop for the high end ladies of park road, this would be it. They don't store usual brands, but high end ones, items are reasonably priced and you will always be able to find a present for a lady here. Just don't knock anything over, there is quite a lot of stuff in this quaint little shop.

After lunch one day my friend urged me to accompany her to this little store. I have a huge…read moreweakness for unique jewellery, so I was thrilled to discover it, even if I did need a little push in the right direction. This boutique stocks women's jewellery from mystical lands such as Turkey, Israel, France and many more. I was enthralled by the colourful stones and interesting shapes. Along with jewellery they sell other accessories; shoes, bags and the like. I discovered something called the handbag organiser. This is an internal smaller bag with many compartments that women can slip in and out of their handbag, helping keep their belongings organised and giving them the ability to change handbags with ease. I often come home late at night and end up standing at the front door rummaging around for my keys, all the while sure that Freddy Krueger is about to attack from the dark shadows behind me, so I would find such organisation in my bag useful as well as reassuring. The handbag organisers are actually very cute themselves, so I would even be tempted to go without the handbag.

This place is yet another weakness of mine located in West End (there are a few - I really should…read moresteer clear of that place). I've only ever bought one thing in this shop, but that doesn't stop me being drawn in for a browse and ending up trying numerous things on. They're another one of the places that possess that ever so lovable quality of always having a $10 rack out the front. Unlike the other places in West End that have such racks, Euphora's is not entirely thrilling. I can sometimes find one or two things I like, although if they weren't $10 I probably wouldn't look twice. Once inside, the prices are pretty standard but I often find things that I like. I vow to continue searching their racks in an attempt to make a purchase in the future - when I return after giving my wallet a hiatus from the area of course.

There are three shops down the city end (Coles end) of Boundary Street that boast $10 racks out the…read morefront. Don't be fooled- some of these shops are better than others. Euphora is my least favourite. The clothes are really hit and miss. There's a lot of cheap and nasty, badly designed wears. However, if you spend your time going through the racks you could find yourself a keeper. The dress collection isn't half bad. The $10 racks are always deceiving. The stock inside is generally anywhere between the $30- $150 range. They've got three big spacious dressing rooms for you to try on any pretties you find. For me, it's all about the $10 rack. That's where you're likely to find something that strikes your fancy. It's about paying the right price for things.

This little shop is quite neat. They've got imported souvenir crystals which can be personalised…read more Very pretty! They also stock an assortment of gifts suitable for kids and women. They have a display table showcasing the crystal souvenirs and they look so beautiful and elegant. It really makes for a good decoration around the home or as a gift for someone. It's similar to Swarovski but without the huge price-tag. They've got other products which are quite random but suitable for children, including a funky designed laundry bin. I would say the nature of this shop is a mixture of imported Asian crafts and products. I think the location of this store is all wrong. It is located on the 4th level near the cinemas and next to an internet cafe. It should be located closer to a Kikki K or other gift stores so they can get the drive of people to their store. What I think happens here, is people walk straight past it as they enter the Westfield, knowing they can always come back, but by the time they've come back, it's only to exit as they've already bought the gifts in the lower levels. Customer service here is okay. They are nice and allow you to have a long browse in their shop. Be care while walking through as it does have breakables on display. So mind your bags, body and children- if you have any.

Perfect moment is a store I have always been meaning to go to but always forget because it is in a…read moreodd location. But today I finally went and loved it. It has a variety of kids toys beautiful jewellery and my personal favourite is all the hello kitty stuff. Most if not all of there stuff is a really reasonable price. The staff where very friendly and let me browse with out being pressured to buy anything. I walked out happy with my 2 hello kitty bags. I love this store.

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.

This adorable homage to all things retro is definitely on my Paddo "to do" list every time I'm in…read morethe 'hood. The only downside? I wanted more. I was a little disappointed that it's only got quite a small selection of genuinely vintage clothes amongst their vintage "inspired" pieces. I loved the decore though. It's like walking into a batty old lady's living room - Barbara Cartland on an acid trip, maybe? From the pink floors and the animal print rug, the sweet ceramic rabbits holding a welcome sign by the door, the vintage typewriter atop an old suitcase, to the disco balls hanging from the ceiling and handmade socks strung up on a line in the back corner of the room - it's a little bubble of cuteness.

I am rarely so enthusiastic about a shop, but I absolutely love love love this one. The creepy…read moremanikins posed out the front of the store guide shoppers down a narrow path lined with racks of clothing, a mere taste of what is inside, towards the front door. The inside of the store is adorable, it's small but the simple, girly decoration complements the place perfectly. The clothes they sell are a mix of one-off preloved pieces and items made under the store label using vintage material and designs. Everything is super cute and the prices are very reasonable. It pains me to have to say this because I so want to give this place five stars (I'm going to anyway), but some of the second hand items did have stains or random rips in places. So now I have done what is right, I feel free to beg you to look past that and go to this place. Or don't, more for me!

A costume wonderland! This is definitely one of the biggest costume hire shops in Brisbane. It's…read morenot the cheapest, but they do have the biggest range. Prices really depend on what costume you're going for, unlike some other costume shops that do a fixed price. A usual full costume will set you back about $50-60, and an extra $25-30 if you're getting a wig too. If you are hiring it for the weekend, you can pick it up on Friday and return it on the following Monday.

I detest fancy dress parties. Mainly because I hate turning up to a social event looking like an…read moreidiot, wearing a nylon wig. Under which I'm sweating like a fat man running a marathon. But I did enjoy this place. I had nearly an hour to kill before my hair appointment (next door at Rixon Hair) and stumbled upon it quite by accident. I think it's the only fancy dress store in the CBD (the rest seem to be in places like Woolloongabba, or the suburbs) It's a shop-come-gigantic-dressing-up-box, and the flamboyant side of me just couldn't resist having a play. I transformed myself from a 1920s flapper to a cowgirl, Alice in Wonderland into a Beatle, then a Maid Marion (I've always had a penchant for Robin Hood. It's those tights). And I emerged an hour later, a little tousled of hair, but almost cured of my costume aversion. While I was in there, I was also told by the helpful staff that if I couldn't find what I was looking for, they could make me it for me. Er, I'd love to look like Miranda Kerr, so I wonder if they can make some kind of costume to help me with that? (Actually, I've just looked at their website which says "Difficult we can handle, miracles take longer). I'll take that as a no, then.