There’s a lot to love about thrifting—it’s kind to the environment and your wallet, and you can find some seriously unique treasures. For many Melbournians, thrifting isn’t just a casual hobby, it’s a way of life. Check out our guide to thrifting in Melbourne, from hidden gems around the city to how you can give your beloved possessions a second chance in a new home.
Melbourne CBD
Vintage Sole
6/37 Swanston Street
Vintage Sole sources its wares from all over the world, stocking the perfect mix of modern and vintage clothing in Melbourne. They’re committed to keeping clothes out of landfill while giving you a unique, curated shopping experience.
Other locations:
- 258 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
- 489 Chapel Street, South Yarra
RetroStar Vintage Clothing
1/37 Swanston Street
RetroStar is a vintage shopper’s paradise—stocking a huge collection of clothing and accessories in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. Every so often, they host one of their famous warehouse sales in Brunswick, with impeccable vibes and elite bargains on offer.
The North
The Northern suburbs of Melbourne are so densely populated with thrift stores, they really deserve their own article. Here are our top picks to get you started.
Lost and Found Market
288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Lost and Found Market is a massive warehouse full of permanent and rotating stalls. They sell everything from vintage fashion to furniture, art, records, books and more.
The warehouse is located up a winding flight of stairs overlooking Brunswick Street—don’t be put off by the empty looking doorway, all the magic happens on the second floor.
Mutual Muse
282 High Street, Northcote
Paying homage to all things contemporary, Mutual Muse is a haven for fashion-lovers. The store is age and size-inclusive and has everything arranged accordingly to make your browsing experience comfortable.
If you’re having a clean out, consider selling some of your clothes to them to make some extra cash.
Other locations:
- 171a Sydney Road, Brunswick
- 12 Hargraves & Forest Street, Castlemaine
The West
Looking for undiscovered treasure troves? As they say across the Maribyrnong River, ‘west is best’.
Savers
33 Albert Street, Footscray
Arguably the most famous of all Melbourne thrift shops, Savers turns secondhand goods into first-rate products. From humble beginnings in San Francisco, this recycling juggernaut has expanded across the U.S., Australia and Canada.
Consider donating after your next spring clean.
Other locations:
- 330 Sydney Road, Brunswick
- 97 Chifley Drive, Preston
- 108-114 Main Street, Greensborough
- 430 Warrigal Road, Heatherton
- 79-83 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood
- Shop 5, Chisholm Drive, Burnside
- 23 Brechin Drive, Narre Warren
- 576-578 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs
Uniting Op Shop
9 Anderson Street, Yarraville
Uniting Op Shop stocks a wonderful array of vintage fashion, homewares, books and other collectibles. Set away in quaint Yarraville, this is a community-run organisation that relies on generous donations and volunteers, so it’s a worthy place to splash some cash.
The South
Melbourne’s South has more than a few gems, largely concentrated around iconic Chapel Street.
Goodbyes
142 Commercial Road, Prahran
Goodbyes offers you the opportunity to shop and sell pre-loved clothing locally, with a focus on minimising environmental impact. They cater to all styles and sizes without compromising on quality.
Other locations:
- 127-129 Sydney Road, Brunswick
- 2 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Shag
130 Chapel Street, Windsor
Looking to add colour to your wardrobe? Pop into Shag on Chapel Street and marvel at the outrageous collection of clothing, accessories and antiques. Think statement jewellery, sparkly sequins and unique collectibles.
Donations and Selling
Do you have any wardrobe refreshes on the horizon? Perhaps you’re moving house and there are a couple of things that can’t make the trip. Consider donating or selling your possessions.
Things to consider:
- Sort through your clothes, shoes and accessories—make sure they’re clean (no stains, holes, tears or marks). A good way to think about this—would you give them to your friends and family?
- To donate: take them in-store (most charity-based organisations will accept over-the-counter donations) or look for large clothing recycling bins at your nearest shopping centre, public transport station or carpark.
- To sell: check online to see if your preferred thrift store buys from the public; head to the counter in-store, a shop assistant will likely take some time to inspect your items. If they wish to buy anything from you, payment will be offered in the form of money or store credit.
- If you have quite the collection of clothes to sell, you might consider a rent-a-rack store such as Yours and Mine.
Read more: 9 Sustainable Fashion Brands in Australia for Every Budget
