One of the world’s most dynamic secondhand shopping scenes is located right in our backyard – Melbourne. Known as Australia’s cultural capital, thrifting in Melbourne is an experience to remember, underscored by affordable clothing, retro accessories, vintage furniture and more.

However, there’s more to thrifting than just racking up bargains. Thrift shopping is a popular hobby for many people eager to blend their creativity and sense of adventure with sustainability.

Visitors to the land Down Under may be wondering what an ‘Op Shop’ is. “Opportunity Shops” are second hand stores, generally run by charities or local business people, that offer far more than just cheap deals. From supporting social causes and reducing environmental waste to building a unique wardrobe bursting with character and history.

Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or a budding one, Melbourne is the place to let your individuality fly. Tried, tested and true – keep reading for our guide to the 20 Best Thrift Stores in Melbourne.

In this article

Vintage Sole

Multiple Locations 

Pricing: Mid-range.

Best for: Retro fashion and sportswear from the ‘60s – ‘90s. Vintage Sole is a neon-lit haven for nostalgic fashion enthusiasts. Specialising in classic retro fashion, this thrift store has an extensive collection of vintage cowboy boots to work your way through. More information here

RetroStar Vintage Clothing

Melbourne CBD 

Pricing: Affordable.

Best for: All types of vintage shopping, including antique jewellery. Established in 2002, RetroStar is one of the country’s largest vintage stores with over 10,000 items. There are plenty of warehouse sales held at this thrift shopping hotspot, keep an eye out on their website.

Out of the Closet

Melbourne CBD 

Pricing: Affordable.

Best for: Authentic vintage clothing and vinyl records. Out of the Closet is one of Melbourne’s original vintage stores. Established back in the late 80s, Out of the Closet has a curated selection of vintage clothing, accessories and records that have been imported from America and Europe. More information here.

Vault by the National Trust

Block Arcade, Melbourne 

Pricing: Mid to high-end.

Best for: Designer and couture vintage fashion. Vault by the National Trust is home to a vast range of couture and designer apparel. Each piece has been carefully selected from a range of donated items, with all proceeds earmarked for the conservation of Victoria’s heritage. More information here.

American Rag

Southgate, Melbourne

Pricing: Mid-range.

Best for: Vintage clothing, footwear and accessories. For over 28 years, American Rag has been a prominent vintage store in Melbourne’s thrift shopping scene. Offering a diverse range of items for visitors, each piece in this store has been sourced from the USA. More information here.

Lost and Found Market

North Melbourne

Pricing: Varied.

Best for: An eclectic mix of both vintage and second-hand goods. A wide array of clothing, furniture, and collectibles can be found at Lost and Found Market, a vintage shopping warehouse located in North Melbourne. With a variety of treasures for those that love hunting for quality pieces, this store offers a vast number of unique and quirky items. More information here.

Hunter Gatherer

Royal Arcade, Melbourne

Pricing: Mid to high-end.

Best for: Curated vintage fashion and accessories. Situated within Melbourne’s Royal Arcade, Hunter Gatherer offers a great selection of vintage fashion and accessories. A go-to spot for many vintage shoppers in the city, this store has plenty of stylish and high-quality pieces to peruse. More information here.

OTC Vintage

Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD 

Pricing: Affordable to mid-range.

Best for: Trendy vintage pieces. A popular choice among thrifters, OTC Vintage has a number of trendy pieces for both men and women. The store can be found in both Fitzroy and Melbourne’s CBD, offering affordable vintage fashion for all ages. More information here.

American Vintage

Fitzroy, Melbourne

Pricing: Mid-range.

Best for: Authentic American Vintage Clothing. Situated on the iconic Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, American Vintage is a thrift shopping favourite. Work your way through their racks of t-shirts, jackets, boots, accessories and more. Find all the information here.

Mutual Muse

Brunswick and Northcote

Pricing: Mid-range.

Best for: Contemporary second-hand fashion. Focused on contemporary style, Mutual Muse has a curated selection of age- and size-inclusive fashion. The team at Mutual Muse have sourced a huge array of high-quality thrift pieces. Find all the information here.

Storehouse Thrift

Prahran, Melbourne 

Pricing: Affordable.

Best for: Budget-friendly pieces. Get affordable vintage pieces at Storehouse Thrift, located in Prahran. A great spot for vintage shoppers eager to refresh their wardrobe, Storehouse Thrift has a number of items that’ll have you itching with excitement. More information here.

Shag

Windsor, Melbourne 

Pricing: Mid to high-end.

Best for: Unique, high-quality pieces 

A licensed second-hand dealer in Windsor, Melbourne – Shag has a fine selection of new and vintage treasures. Step inside and snag yourself a few items to make your wardrobe glow. Shag is a crowd favourite among thrifters. More information here.

Paris ‘99

Hampton, Melbourne 

Pricing: High-end.

Best for: Designer and hard-to-find pieces. Get a curated selection of designer and hard-to-find vintage pieces at Paris ‘99. This thrift store focuses on high-end, high-quality clothing, perfect for those seeking more luxurious, unique items.

Goodbyes

Brunswick, Melbourne 

Pricing: Mid-range.

Best for: Australian and international designers. A thrift shop in Australia and New Zealand, Goodbyes has a range of pre-loved pieces for all kinds of thrifters. Step inside and try your hand at this store’s unique and well-designed pieces. More information here.

SWOP

Collingwood, Melbourne 

Pricing: Varied.

Best for: Curated thrift pieces, clothing exchanges. SWOP offers buyers the perfect opportunity to purchase stylish second hand pieces or trade in their own clothing for cash or store credit. The team at SWOP are highly selective of each item on display, ensuring the high-quality calibre of clothing is maintained. More information here.

Bruce

Clifton Hill, Melbourne 

Pricing: Mid to High-end.

Best for: Artisanal / designer menswear. A consignment store with good-quality artisanal and designer menswear, Bruce offers a selection of pieces from renowned designers. More information here.

Retropolis

Preston, Melbourne 

Pricing: Varied.

Best for: Vintage fashion, furniture, collectibles. A multi-stall vintage market, Retropolis has a number of vintage items – fashion, furniture, records, and curios. More information here.

Still Good Recycled

Brunswick 

Pricing: Affordable.

Best for: Curated second hand clothing from the 1960s and 2010s. The selection of second hand clothing in Still Good Recycled has been gathered strictly and curated carefully. Featuring all kinds of styles, this store sells a variety of items from the 60s right through to the 2000s. More information here.

Lune Secrets

Brunswick

Pricing: Mid-range.

Best for: Vintage Fashion, Accessories. Searching for high-quality vintage items? Lune Secrets has a curated selection of fashion and accessories. Step inside and explore the range of unique pieces and stylish offerings. More information here.

Martin Fella

North Melbourne

Pricing: Mid to high-end.

Best for: Designer clothing, homewares, accessories. Martin Fellas has pre-loved luxury-brand fashion in a high quantity. Shop designer items, including pieces from brands like Louis Vuitton, Celine, YSL and Gucci. More information here.