Melbourne op shops are a great way to find unique items such as a classic vintage dress, designer pair of shoes and retro clothing while also giving back to the community at the same time. There are a variety of consignment stores and designer op shops in Melbourne that make discovering beautiful garments much easier, convenient and accessible.
Many of these thrift stores also work alongside various charities that are aimed at helping those less fortunate. From quirky items and retro accessories to rare vintage clothing, designer garments and more, here is where you will find Melbourne’s best op shops.
As no surprise to any op shop enthusiast, the first on our list is Sacred Heart Mission. Since 1982, Sacred Heart Mission has provided services and support to a wide range of people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. They have 12 op shops throughout Melbourne, each with its own unique personality and stock reflecting the spirit of the surrounding local community.
With op shops in Fitzroy, St Kilda, Elsternwick and many more, Sacred Heart Mission is the holy grail when it comes to Melbourne op shops. Their staff are always friendly and welcoming, are known for setting up impressive store displays, and of course, discovering a vast range of unique finds!
All of their second hand stores in Melbourne contribute to more than 30% of their services and programs, including their meal programs. So whether you are buying clothing and trinkets or donating some of your goods, you will be helping the organisation to continue helping local communities in need.
Website: https://www.sacredheartmission.org/
Address: Find your closest Sacred Heart Mission op shop
Previously known as Recycle Boutique, Goodbyes has consignment stores in Brunswick, Collingwood and their most recent store in Prahran which opened in 2020. Goodbyes is committed to providing an outstanding retail and shopping experience to extend the lifespan of well-made garments, shoes and accessories.
With a focus on New Zealand and Australian labels, beautiful vintage and international designers, Goodbyes consignment stores are the perfect place to find affordable and unique masculine and feminine styles. Each item they receive is closely curated with an eye on identifying timeless pieces that stand out due to their great construction, pleasant details and quality fabrics.
As Goodbyes is a consignment store, you can also sell any of your unwanted garments as well, and the process couldn’t be more simple! Simply bring your items to your closest Goodbyes store and their friendly staff will sort through them. Once five or more of your accessories, shoes or garments have been accepted, they’ll be priced and ready to sell. Every time one of your items is sold, you’ll receive an email notification to collect your payment!
Website: https://www.goodbyes.com.au/
Address: Find your nearest Goodbyes consignment store
What makes Storehouse Thrift truly unique, apart from their incredible range of clothing, accessories and shoes to find, is that 100% of all their sales go directly to their very own drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre called Teen Challenge Victoria. Their program also gives students the opportunity to upskill and work in their physical op shops.
Storehouse Thrift is also one of the best op shops in Melbourne to find truly beautiful and seasonal pieces that feature a distinct personality, no matter your style. To help fight the war on overcrowded landfills, their sustainability program has tonnes of damaged donations given a second life by being repurposed into rags instead of being sent to a landfill.
They are proud to partner with local small businesses, community groups and charities to support the homeless and teens in need. You can support Storehouse Thrift simply by shopping on their Melbourne op shops, volunteering or donating via their website.
Website: https://storehousethrift.com/
Address: Find your nearest Storehouse Thrift op shop
With two amazing op shops in Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD, Vintage Sole proves that you don’t have to spend a large amount of money to enjoy sustainable and stylish fashion pieces.
Bringing op shopping into the 21st century, Vintage Sole is focused on offering convenient access to affordable designer brands on their online shop via their website. You can browse through a huge online selection of vintage and designer brands and garments, which is ideal for when you can’t make it to your local Vintage Sole op shop!
Stocking many pre-owned and prestigious brands such as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and many more, visiting a Vintage Sole op shop every weekend is a great way to expand your wardrobe with affordable designer clothing without feeling the pinch in your wallet!
Website: https://www.vintagesole.com.au/
Address: Find your closest Vintage Sole op shop
Chances are pretty likely that you’ve stepped into a Salvos op shop at least once in your life, and with over 100 op shop locations across Melbourne alone, The Salvation Army is another juggernaut when it comes to op shopping. The Salvation Army welfare programs have also provided around $2.3 million worth of items to those in need, which is just another reason to support your local Salvos store!
They are committed to not only providing incredible clothing and other quality secondhand items, but also to reducing the amount of items that end up in Australian landfills. Through their network of over 350 op shops throughout Australia, The Salvation Army has diverted over 30 million items each year from ending up in landfills.
No two Salvos stores are the same as each location stocks its own range of stock that’s unique to what is donated from the local community. This is why it’s always a great idea to check your local Salvos op shop at least once a week to see what new items they have in stock!
Website: https://www.salvosstores.com.au/
Address: Find your local Salvos store
Offering a gorgeous selection of clothing and accessories from the 1940s to the 1990s, RetroStar Vintage Clothing is one of the best second hand stores in Melbourne to discover eclectic clothing styles from the past. Whether you are after vintage jackets, boots, t-shirts or more, you’ll find it at their Melbourne CBD store on Swanston Street. It’s also just around the corner from our Punthill Flinders Lane apartments.
If you’re on the hunt for brands such as North Face and Disney, on the lookout for vintage band shirts or searching for designer brands like Ralph Lauren but can’t make it to their physical store, their website also offers convenient online shopping as well!
Every six weeks or so, their warehouse in Brunswick holds special warehouse sales where all items are $10 or less, which is a must for anyone who takes their op shopping seriously. Be sure to check out their website to find out when their next weekend sale is on!
Website: https://www.retrostar.com.au/
Address: Nicholas building, First Floor, 37 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
For a complete sensory overload of alternative, vintage, retro, eclectic and unusual goods and clothing, you can’t miss out on visiting Chapel Street Bazaar. As one of the most unique op shops on Chapel Street, it can be best described as an Aladdin’s cave of rare treasures.
Stepping into Chapel Street Bazaar is an experience in itself. Featuring a collection of over 80 stallholders, the store is filled to the brim with a mash of secondhand clothing, furniture, memorabilia, antique records, movie posters, rare comics, musical instruments, vintage cameras, autographs and much, MUCH more.
Whether it’s meeting the local characters of St Kilda or travelling through a time portal, Chapel Street Bazaar is guaranteed to have something for everyone. Make sure you allocate enough time as it is almost impossible to see everything on your first visit!
Website: https://m.facebook.com/ChapelStreetBazaar
Address: 217 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181
If you are searching for luxury vintage items, bags, accessories and pre-loved designer garments, then Secondo in South Yarra offers a wide variety of well-known international labels such as Prada and Gucci at affordable prices. Or you can browse their online store to ensure you’re always up-to-date with their latest stock.
Also stocking a selection of stunning clothing from local independent designers, Secondo is the best place to refit your entire wardrobe or find a new one-off piece to fall in love with. As they are a consignment store, you can also sell your preloved luxury garments. They accept summer/spring items during the beginning of September and winter/autumn items during the beginning of March.
Secondo also proudly supports Prahran Mission and Siwali Community School for disadvantaged children in Indonesia. A large portion of their unsold stock, along with monetary donations goes directly to these charities to ensure they continue their important work.
Website: https://secondo.com.au/
Address: 286 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
Deep in the heart of South Yarra is where you’ll find Stop Staring Boutique, which provides access to a range of affordable designer brands as well as everyday fashion. They specialise in preloved high-end designer women’s accessories, clothing, bags and shoes.
As one of the best op shops in Melbourne for designer clothes, Stop Staring Boutique also has a huge online store that is filled with designer jackets, coats, dresses, shoes, bags and more from leading international brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Dior and Chanel.
With a focus on bringing everyday looks and high-end fashion into a greener and sustainable environment, their consignment store is always updating their stock according to what’s in season. Stop Staring Boutique is definitely worth checking each week so you don’t miss out on any unique finds!
Website: https://www.stopstaringboutique.com/
Address: 256 Toorak Road, South Yarra, VIC 3141
Now that you know where to find Melbourne’s best op shops, all you need to do is visit a store near you to discover some incredible finds. Looking amazing in the latest high-end, retro and alternative brands doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, especially when you know where to look.
You will also feel good knowing that you’re supporting local communities and reducing the amount of discarded items that get sent to overcrowded landfills, which is even more of a reason to visit these amazing Melbourne op shops!
