“We found a Boston parole sentence paper from 1983 tucked into the pocket”
We’re calling it: these are the place you’ll get the best stuff.
It’s amazing what you can find at Sydney’s best vintage stores (
REUZE VINTAGE
Since opening five years ago, Reuze Vintage has been quietly developing a reputation for its reasonable prices and reliable range of distinctly Australian pieces, from designers like Linda Jackson, Carla Zampatti and Lisa Ho. Owner Angela Greenaway says she’s very selective about the pieces she stocks, focusing on recycled designer clothing rather than straight-up vintage. “I think Australian designers, especially the older ones, are very underrated,” she tells us. Greenaway’s preferred eras are the ’60s and ’70s, but she stocks anything from the 1950s onwards, including recycled designer bags – we spot a Chanel 2.55 in the window on our visit. “They’re an investment if you look wisely. The designer bags I have are usually vintage Chanel. I don’t get many because I’m very particular about who I get them from.” Greenaway has been collecting vintage clothing and accessories for around 40 years. Before she opened up her Paddington store she used to sell items at Marrickville Markets, and she’s been procuring vintage pieces from all over New South Wales for decades. Looking around, we spot brands from Banana Republic up to Chloe and Gucci, and prices ranging from $25 up to $500 for a designer bag. With a keen eye for what looks good on a customer, Greenway is happy to offer lay-by if an item is a little out of reach for this month’s paycheck. “It’s my business and I like to have faith in people,” she says. “Quite often, if something looks really good on someone, I’ll give them a discount [if I know they can’t afford it].” 294 Oxford St, Paddington 2021. 02 9360 1897. reuzevintage.com.au. Tue-Fri 10.30am-5.30pm; Sat 10am-5.30pm.
BLUE SPINACH
Blue Spinach is a consignment store that has developed a loyal following over the past 20 years. Here you’ll find gems from the back catalogues of international designers, like a cream Chanel blouse for $500 or a Baroqueinspired Givenchy jacket for $1,540. It’s not strictly vintage, as everything in store is 10-15 years old maximum, but the blue-painted store is a go-to destination for preloved clothing of an exceptional standard. Owner Mark Thompson says, “All the pieces that we take are done so on merit. We’ve given beautiful Chanel jackets back because they haven’t been looked after.” Mark’s wife and business partner Jane is a qualified valuer, and they offer a money-back guarantee that everything is authentic. It’s not a cheap store by any stretch of the imagination, but if you’ve got your eye on an item Mark is happy to put it on lay-by for you. If you’re a valued customer, then Mark and Jane will often call you first if an item comes in that they think will suit you and your style. Half the stock is menswear and Mark says he’s often kitting out gentlemen in whole outfits for special occasions. On our visit there were ties, shoes, jackets and belts in a number of sizes from labels like Hermès and Versace. Personalised service is one of Thompson’s passions. “People will come up to us and say, ‘You sold a jacket to me a couple of years ago. Everybody wants to know where I bought it from.’” 348 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst 2010. 02 9331 3904. bluespinach.com.au. Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-6pm; Thu 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-4pm.
C’S FLASHBACK PADDINGTON
The Paddo sister to the Surry Hills shop of the same name contains all the things you’d expect from this longstanding vintage brand: denim, leather and sweats from America and Australia. C’s Flashback is one of the more affordable second-hand stores in Sydney, and they’ve got their style down pat: Americana and Australiana casuals from 1980 onwards. Sure, you might find a rare pair of 1950s Mary Janes in store, but you’ll always come across a rack of Levi’s denim jackets. The store is popular with students and people looking for fancy dress items, as there are stacks of accessories for $10 – and if you’re willing to splash a bit more cash, they’ve got rails of outlandish ski jackets, Hawaiian shirts and rainbow print polyester legwear. What we love most about this store is the thrill of the
“You sold me a jacket a couple of years ago. Everyone wants to know where I got it”
dig; on our visit we unearthed a vintage leather satchel for $40, a battered suitcase from the 1950s for under $100 and a Singer sewing machine – all in good nick. If you’re looking for cowboy boots, fur coats, biker jackets or denim cut-offs, these are the bread and butter items – they’re almost certainly in stock, whatever day you visit. 318 Oxford St, Paddington 2021. 02 9356 3821. csflashback.com.au. Daily 10am-6pm.
THE VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOP
Owners Lorraine Foster and Grayson Cole have been collecting and selling vintage for over 40 years, and their shop attracts fashion magazine editors and producers looking for authentic clothing for period film and TV. It’s the only vintage store in the CBD, found inside the time warp that is St James Street Arcade. Everything is curated, from Victorian-era blouses up to a pair of gold Manolo Blahniks from the early disco days. Store worker Annette Twemlow says the shop’s enduring appeal is thanks to the “unique pieces, classic styles and good quality items” in store. “People come back for the curated stock. They don’t have to rifle through racks of clothing to find something special.” Twemlow picks out one of the more unusual items in store, an embroidered antique shawl from Shanghai dating back to the 1930s that’s on sale for $1,590. Most pieces are mid-century and very wearable: mainly clothing and costume jewellery from Australia, Europe and the US, with prices starting from $45 for a silk scarf. If you want to pay off an item over a period of time, you can. They ask for a 25 per cent deposit and they’ll hold it for a month, which is handy if you’ve got your eyes on a beaded evening gown from the 1920s or a men’s smoking jacket. Head to the back of the store for the cabinet of beaded cardigans. Shop 7, St James St Arcade, 80 Castlereagh St, Sydney 2000. 02 9238 0090. Mon-Wed, Fri 10.30am-5.30pm; Thu 10.30am-7pm; Sat 10.30am-4.30pm.
THE COLLECTIVE ENSEMBLE
Gregory Harris took over the vintage store on South King Street a year ago, but it’s been part of the Newtown vintage community for around five years. They stock mainly ’80s and ’90 fashion, from an ironic Backstreet Boys T-shirt to a Mickey Mouse sweater. It’s a colourful store. You’ll find bright turquoise sports sweatshirts from brands like Adidas, mosaic-patterned turtlenecks from labels like Versace, and well-worn boots from RM Williams. And you can pick up a Ralph Lauren bucket hat or an Eminem tour tee for less than $30. “I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, and I really enjoyed the fashion from those eras so I keep the stock within those decades made in Australia or the USA,” says Harris. “We’ve had some amazing, genuine varsity jackets in stock from the States; once we found a Boston parole sentence paper from 1983 tucked into the pocket.” They consistently buy men’s and women’s denim and leather jackets. “I think people should buy more vintage or secondhand clothing,” says Harris. “The materials last, unlike today, and it’s more sustainable.” 500 King St, Newtown 2042. www.facebook.com/TheCollectiveEnsemble. Tue-Sun noon-7pm.