Go on a modern-day treasure hunt along the Sydney vintage trail from the city to the suburbs. From carefully curated vintage emporiums to fun retro stores jam-packed with fashion, you’ll find unique pieces wherever you go. 

Highlights 

• Finding gems from the 1930s to the 1980s at Forever Vintage in Woollahra 
• Shop-hopping along Paddington’s leafy William Street 
• Browsing for pre-loved fashion at a market right next to Bondi Beach 

In the city centre

Australian fashion stylists have been visiting The Vintage Clothing Shop, in the heart of Sydney, for decades to style shoots. It’s a haven of high quality pieces from the 1880s to the 1980s with dreamy costume jewellery, wool coats and delicate netted hats. 

In the Eastern Suburbs 

You’ll find one-off vintage finds and seriously cool collectables in Surry Hills, a hip inner-city suburb on the fringe of the city centre. Zoo Emporium is a treasure trove of vintage dresses and accessories throughout the eras, from 1920s Art Deco sequined dresses to faux-fur capes and 1940s suits. They also stock a good collection of vintage fascinators, hats and sunglasses.  

Check out William Street in Paddington for quirky Australian designs, high-end vintage and famed wine bar, 10 William Street.  

For high-end global designs, don’t miss Di Nuovo. This well-established recycled retailer is tucked in pretty William Street and stocks pre-loved designer dresses from European and Australian designers, and many other beautifully constructed pieces. 

At 90 William Street you’ll find long-time consignment store, Pelle, a fine purveyor of pre-loved designer shoes, bags and accessories. With new stock every week, there’s Gucci, Givenchy, Marni and more. 

Neighbouring Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo, Potts Point is a colourful slice of inner-city Sydney with Parisian-esque tree-lined streets and cool retro finds. Wayside Chapel is a Sydney stylist’s best-kept secret. Situated on Hughes Street, off the main thoroughfare of Macleay Street, the community op-shop has print dresses, crochet bags, fur jackets and big brands such as Gucci and Ksubi donated by well-dressed supporters. Funds go to important services such as the Twilight Program, which provides evening meals for the homeless.  

Potts Point Vintage is on Hughes Street too. Owner Arnold Kieldgaard has fascinating tales about the Aussie military jackets, vintage wedding dresses and safari suits on sale. It’s a veritable treasure trove — collectors will love the furs, handbags, cufflinks and Art Deco fine china.  

And on Queen Street, Woollahra, neighbouring Paddington, you’ll find Forever Vintage, which specialises in hand-picked designer and couture vintage clothing from the 1930s through to the 1980s.  

Further east in beachside Clovelly, you’ll find The Frock Exchange amid a strip of delightful boutiques and coffee haunts. One of Sydney’s hidden vintage gems, The Frock Exchange is where well-heeled locals take their last-season international and Australian designs. Snap up a pre-loved Céline bag, Chanel dress or Christian Louboutin heels. 

In the Inner West 

Sydney’s Newtown is home to Sydney University and some of the best live music venues in Sydney, giving it a bohemian vibe. South King Street, which runs from Newtown Train Station down to St Peters is one of the most quirky shopping strips in Sydney.  

Since 1989, All Buttons Great and Small has been trading buttons from the classic to the exotic. The store sources buttons globally and has an expansive collection of over 15,000 plastic, enamel, carved, metal, diamanté buttons and more, any one of which will make for tiny memento to take home.  

You’ll also find U-Turn, which has another four locations of pre-loved clothing stores across Sydney. Come here to dig through scores of Doc Martens, bold retro shirts, bomber jackets and knits.  

Walk back past Newtown Train Station to browse the packed racks of 1980s and 1990s gear and much more at the two-level Vintage at 313, at 313 King Street. It’s said to be the largest vintage store in Sydney.  

Then head over to SWOP on Enmore Road in Enmore, a five-minute walk from Newtown Train Station. This enterprise swaps, buys and sells pre-loved clothing items within a community of local customers. Look for bellbottom jeans, leather jackets, bright blazers and sunglasses. 

And if you love shiny things, Vintage Times in Rozelle, a 10-minute drive from the city centre, sells Art Deco diamond rings, vintage fob chains, cocktail rings with various precious stones and an interesting collection of carved Bakelite rings, bangles and brooches. The Vintage Times Studio is by appointment only. 

Five must-visit vintage markets in Sydney 

Rozelle (Inner West) 

One of the most popular markets for bric-a-brac, antiques and second-hand clothing is Rozelle Collectors Market. It’s held on the grounds of Rozelle Public School every Saturday and Sunday, 9am–3pm. 

Glebe (Inner West) 

Glebe Markets are held every Saturday, 10am–4pm, and with lots of pre-loved records, clothing, jewellery and furniture for sale alongside handmade local artisan collectables. 

Bondi Markets, Bondi Beach (Eastern Suburbs)  

Many Aussie designers started out at Bondi Markets, a vibrant, bustling hub of beachside style. Hang with Bondi locals and discover vinyl records, fresh flowers and one-off second-hand dresses, jackets and shoes. The markets are at Bondi Beach Public School, on Sundays, 10am–4pm 

Paddington Markets (Eastern Suburbs)  

This is the market where iconic Sydney brand Zimmermann got its start — buy from up-and-coming Sydney fashion designers, sample local bread and browse vintage dresses, fur vests, cocktail rings, leather boots and pre-loved handbag. 10am–4pm every Saturday, 395 Oxford Street, Paddington. 

Surry Hills Markets (Eastern Suburbs) 

Surry Hills Markets stallholders specialise in recycled, second-hand and handmade pieces. It’s an open-air market with racks of vintage clothing and tables of bric-a-brac, along with a community café offering vegetarian and gluten-free options. 8am–4pm on the first Saturday of every month, Shannon Reserve, Crown Street.