The reviewer below me is absolutely right... the range at Rathdowne is great. The prices are decent…read moreand the service is quite helpful. Think of it like Lincraft but with a more specific product selection, better quality and in a warehouse. I wouldn't say the prices are amazing, but they're not expensive either. The reason I don't rave about Rathdowne is that you sort of have to get lucky. I suppose it's like that with a lot of retail stores, but generally half the reason you're at a fabric shop in the first place is because you can't find what you want in a regular store. To put it simply, if you like browsing fabric shops this one has a gorgeous selection to look at. If you have your heart set on a particular kind of lace or type of wool jersey or whatever, then you're better of at a speciality store.

Damn straight they shopped at Rathdowne Remnants on Project Runway. You want to know why? Because…read moreit's a fabric store without the filler. Every kind of fabric is here, at ridiculous prices, and all good quality. The best bit is the various remnant bins and the near-end rolls where one can find all manner of delightful bits and bobs to make something unique and stunning. My best friend was getting a corset made for her by designer Dolly Q, who insisted (and escorted us) that we choose our fabric at Rathdowne. The result? Seriously stunning, and an entire outfit (we made the skirt out of cream satin also bought there) for less than $250. If you're serious about dressmaking, or have a dress that you want made, I would suggest a visit here first to check out the fabrics on offer.

Clemente & Talarico was a great find. It's a higher-end boutique of men's clothing and accessories…read more The style is very old school Americana....lots of muted plaids, hentleys and fedoras with a feather. Most of the brands were their own, but you could tell nothing was cheap or mass made here and the clothing while modern had a stated vintage feel to them. It's refreshing to find items you won't find at Meyer or David Jones. I found the staff to be overly friendly and helpful. I wound up buying a Wills leather travel bag here. Wills is a leather company from Oregon in the states and is not so easy to find in Melbourne. Worth a visit to the Windsor end of Chapel street to visit.

I'm new to Melbourne from over seas and need to do a very sizable wardrobe refit after two years of…read moretraveling. Paul at Clemente & Talarico was welcoming to my wife and I from the moment we walked in, dressed, generously, not our best. He took us through their clothing, was attentive without being overbearing, was not pushy, and very honest about what he saw that worked or didn't for my body. I'll go back again and again. They design and make many of their own clothes, and they are both unique and fashionable. Thanks for a great experience Paul! Oh, and Henry, the shop dog, is as chill and adorable as can be.

Great service, a wide selection of styles to choose from and good value for money. Will be a return…read morecustomer.

Cutest clothes and terrific service!! Love all their fun patterns and unique designs. I spent so…read moremuch money because I loved soooo many pieces. Billie who works there was sooo sweet and helpful in getting me other sizes and making suggestions of other things I might like while I was trying things off. If you 1) like bright, bold colors and patterns 2) like a retro look or 3) like a gothy look they will absolutely have something for you as they fit all three vibes.

This retail and wholesale fabric store on Burgundy street does exactly as advertised. Provides…read morecustomers with, you guessed it. Darn. Cheap. Fabric. Questions? I have an embarrassing confession to make folks. I failed "Textiles" at school. Worse then that though, I failed after getting my Mum to help make my projects. Proving once and for all that sewing does not run in my family. So as someone who has no idea how to sew a hem that lasts more then 24 hours I can happily say that this store gave me what i needed. Access to cheap fabric to use in art projects without all that sewing lark. Well this shop is no-frills (pun totally intended) in atmosphere and is unsurprisingly packed with fabric and all the haberdashery and trimmings you need to turn your cloth into fashion. They have patterns and accessories to help you on your way too. Friendly folk and fabric. That is all.

There was a polka dot dress in the window - I had to go in…read more Yes I am good at making up excuses to go shopping but I don't regret my brief trip to Preap and Coutts. I hadn't visited this store until a couple of days ago and I have to admit that I was quite impressed. The fashion is very feminine with flattering cuts and bright colours. I saw gold, tan, blue, and white dresses and skirts and I really liked the different cuts and textures that were used. Preap and Coutts is a little restrained and not so much a trendy label. What it offers is timeless pieces that are made well at an affordable price. The sales assistant wasn't very friendly, and I think that for a boutique like Preap and Coutts that is a little out of place on Gertrude Street they really need to build up a loyal clientele. Maybe she was just having a bad day.

On Glen Huntly Road in Carnegie, just off 67 Tram, stop 61…read more Or Glen Huntly Train Station. Just followed up after a craft friend's recommendation to check out this shop. It is excellent. On the outside it looks clean but truly daggy with black and yellow paintwork. The inside it looks, and is, like an old style full service drapers shop. I was able to get everything I needed related to some specific cloth, to silver brooch clips, and I'm going back tomorrow morning for even more cloth, and I'm seriously thinking about that old fashioned cream crocheted collar on a stand near the desk. The range of fabrics is not humongous, but is excellent: from bamboo jerseys to cotton gingham and silks, to some really good lace, and amazing outrageously coloured tulle; and some of the on sale cloth is really worth a visit to ponder any possibilities. The service is knowledgable and helpful. And courteous and kind.

Don't be mislead by the name the prices may be cheap but the fabrics are not. They are good quality…read moreand they have a great range. They also have a fabulous range of ribbons, zippers, trims and notions. Seriously, wow the notions! Belt buckles, handles for handbags and so much more. They have patterns at reasonable prices. The staff and super helpful and honestly I could spend hours here! I never leave empty handed.

Sorry went a little crazy on the pictures but they had such pretty fabric! Made my heart happy…read more Love that it was displayed in coordinating colors and loved the sewing sketches decorating the walls. Now that I'm back in the states, I really regret not buying that floral Liberty fabric. Darn it! Post-shopping regrets will kill you.

Ummmm Beautiful Fabric! I always go to this store with the best of intentions - buy exactly what I…read moreneed for a specific project... does this ever happen? No. With row upon row of beautiful fabric bolts to choose from, you can easily spend hours touch and looking at the choices on offer. The store is divided into sections, jersey, Linen, Wool, faux fur etc... So it's really easy to find your way around. there are also plenty of designer fabrics on offer (usually at knock down prices) from DKNY, Marc Jacobs and plenty of others. Top tip: sign up for the newsletter, you get exclusive deals like 30% off.

You might've noticed many a Melburnian girl clomping around in strappy clogs like they're Dutch…read morefarmhands, and if you haven't yet you certainly will as the weather warms up. Gorman has a big part to play in this footwear phenomenon in this town. Other than the fact that these Gorman clogs are making girls look a bit samey, at least from the ankle down, I think Gorman gives us girls the potential to look modern, feminine, smart, fashionable, cool and comfortable with their consistently tasteful style. And Gorman is an eco-warrior too with its range of organic and sustainable garments (made from fabrics that come from sustainable farming practices using non-chemical processing), so you can look great in what you're wearing and feel good about it too. That's a winning combination.

It always surprises me that chain stores can have a completely different vibe when placed in…read moredifferent suburbs. I love Gorman clothing and can always find something new to consider on each visit (though I curse the person responsible for this season's skirts as they make my hips look ginormous). This particular outlet in Brunswick Street is one of the best I've come across. The layout of the store is good - with lots of light and big change rooms. The staff are super sweet (any sweeter and I'd have to poke them in the eye for making the rest of us look bad) and they're really helpful bringing in size changes and suggesting combinations and matching pieces. When it comes to buying Gorman in the future, this will be one of my go-to stores.