Aussie Fashion
Sadly, Oxford St is in a slight funk, so we’ll whisk you off the main drag to where it’s all happening. First, keep the fun police at bay by starting with dude-approved Calibre at 398 Oxford St / 9380 5993 / calibre.com.au / to sort the men from the galahs. Head out left and left again into Elizabeth St, go past Valonz (see Spa) at #20, and at the roundabout either continue straight to arty Lucio’s / 47 Windsor St / 9380 5996 / lucios.com.au / for yum Italian temptations, or turn left into Paddington St and follow it left into William St. On the corner is coffee stop Paddington Alimentari / 2 Hopetoun St / 9358 2142 / next door to Di Nuovo / 94 William St / 9361 4221 / dinuovo.com.au / with pre-loved women’s garb, and shoes at #90 Pelle / 9331 8100. For great retro-feel gal fash hit up Leona Edmiston at #88 / 9331 7033 / leona edmiston.com / then zip into #86 Salon X by Renya Xydis / 9357 6228 / valonz.com.au / for top hair care. Skip over to cult cashmere purveyors Banjo & Matilda at #76 / 8096 2665 / banjoandmatilda.com, and #58 Helen English for Paddington Brides / 9331 0075 / appt only / helenenglish.net. au / with wedding dresses worth getting hitched for, before crossing to #43 The Corner Shop / 9380 9828 / the cornershopstore.com / for a mix of girlie designer and vintage. Opposite is #42 By Charlotte (see Standout Fash.) with delicate gold and silver adornments, then Neil Grigg at #40 / 9361 5865 / neilgriggmillinery.com / cleverly hatting society dames, and G&L Handmade Shoes over at #15 / 8354 1005 / gandlshoes.com / for heels that appeal. Cross once more for #18 Jiva / 93571353 / jivaclothing.com.au / with romantic and drifty 1950s-esque womenswear, then drop into wee wine bar 10 William Street / 9360 3310 / 10williamst.com.au / for a quick pour. Next door at #8 Belance / 8041 1592 / belance.com.au / stocks men’s made to measure and grooming prods, and finally Just William chocolatier at #4 / 9331 5468 / justwilliam.com.au. Walk back up to Oxford St and cross over for resin den Dinosaur Designs (see Standout Decor) then up on the left at #261 is Parlour X (see Standout Fash.), your label mabel temple of worship. Exit left to #258 Incu / 9331 6070 / incu.com / for curated, creative women’s (the men’s store is next door), then head back to #380 for rotisserie pub grub at The Paddington / 9240 3000 / merivale.com.au. Now, if it’s Saturday amble over to Paddington Markets (see Shop/markets). Look beyond the macramé knickers, there’s wheat amongst the chaff, plus food trucks. Still not done? No worries, the Oxford St II itin is only a 10 min. stroll or quick cab down.