When it comes to sustainability, second best to not buying anything is buying second-hand. Thankfully, Brisbane’s op shop and vintage scene is picking up pace and there’s heaps of great places to find pre-loved goods at bargain prices. Here’s your guide to the best thrift and vintage stores in Brisbane.
Op shops and vintage stores in West End
The best end for vintage and op shops, am I right? Starting on Boundary Street you’ve got Yesterday’s Thrift Shop, a big LifeLine shop with hidden vintage Revival upstairs, and the epic SWOP vintage shop. SWOP allows you to bring in your vintage or designer clothes and swap them for store credits or cash. Likewise, you can shop for great vintage and designer clothes. SWOP has also opened up an op shop downstairs from its West End store. But wait, there’s more. On Hardgrave Road you’ll find the St Veronica Thrift Shop (a treasure chest of pre-loved goods), and on Montague Road there’s the Salvos Hope Op Shop (lots of stuff here – head upstairs for fashion) and a Vinnies super store.
You’ll also find some seriously sweet vintage collections at Open House Collective (Box Vintage) on Vulture Street.
Op shops in Fortitude Valley
The valley’s best thrift shops include Australian Red Cross in the McWhirter’s Building and Vinnies on the corner of Alfred and Brunswick Street. There’s also Phase 4 Records in Bakery Lane serving up secondhand records and vintage clothing. Head a bit further north to Doggett Street and you’ll find a Salvos super store and a huge new Vinnies next door on Proe Street. There’s SO MUCH to sort through here including casual wear, belts, hats, bags, costumes and more. It’s well worth it.
Head towards Teneriffe to Commercial Road Antiques to find epic collections of vintage clothing. There’s individually curated stores within this centre including Instagram’s @BuyNothingNew2019 own collection. Plenty of pretty pieces to find here.
Op shops and vintage stores in Paddington
Paddington has long been known as the home to Brisbane’s best vintage stores. When I was 17 I bought my first vintage item here, a pink velvet Laura Ashley jacket. It’s a prize. You’ll find the best spots on Latrobe Terrace including Vinnies Paddington (pictured – head up stairs for retro), a very cool second-hand store called The Red Queen Design and Retro Metro. Other vintage stores in the area include Yesterday’s Thrift Shop on Nash Street, Ra Ra Superstar on Given Terrace (vintage heaven), and the Paddington Antique Centre on Latrobe Terrace which has a small but great collection of vintage dresses, jackets, jewellery etc.
Op shops and vintage stores in Brisbane City
Stuck in the city? Not to worry, there’s second-hand clothing stores here too. Taking over SWOP Clothing Exchange’s iconic city store is the brand’s sister store and op shop Opy. You’ll find that one and a LifeLine shop on Adelaide Street, and Vinnies on Mary Street. In the Wintergarden there’s a well-curated vintage section at Pigeonhole. There’s also the Suitcase Rummage on in Reddacliff Place on the first and third Sunday of every month.
Op shops and vintage stores in Annerley & Woolloongabba
Brisbane’s best kept secret is on Stanley Street, Woolloongabba – a retro craft beer and wine bar and carefully curated vintage clothing store. It’s called Can you keep a secret? Head along Ipswich Road to Annerley to find an op shop hot spot featuring Save the Children Op Shop, LifeLine shop (Vintage Revival), Vinnies Annerley and Yesterday’s Thrift Shop Discount Outlet. Make a morning out of it!
Op shops in Stones Corner
Stones Corner is on a mission to revive its vintage scene. Accordingly, along the shopping strip on Logan Road you’ll find the Save the Children Op Shop, Salvos Stones Corner, RSPCA Op Shop, Vinnies, and an epic Lifeline shop with a special vintage section – Vintage Revival. This shop gets a heap of great vintage pieces that come into Lifeline’s possession, and they also stock a range of costumes and dress ups.
Vintage stores in Albion
Worthy of a trip to Albion is Studio Thrifty 4 – a not-for-profit super thrift and vintage store. With all items capped at $5 it’s the perfect place to find a quality bargain in a bright and colourful setting. Visit for pre-loved vintage and designer goods.
Op shops in Geebung
If you’re in the know about Brisbane’s vintage scene you’ve probably heard how epic the Geebung op shops are. In a line on Railway Parade is a mammoth Salvos store full of treasures, a Vinnies op shop, a LifeLine op shop and Red Cross Australia. Make a morning of it.
Op shops and vintage stores in Sandgate/Brighton
Brisbane’s bayside boasts some pretty neat vintage stores too. Drop into Vinnies Brighton and Vinnies Sandgate, Salvos at Sandgate, and Footprints Bracken Ridge Thrift Shop. You will find some serious vintage treasure here.
Like this? You’d probably like the Britt’s List sustainable fashion walking tours in Brisbane. Find out more here.
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