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Shopping

Melbourne is a fashionista’s paradise with its stylish retail precincts, arcades and laneways offering something to suit all tastes and budgets, from exquisite designer wear to alternative fashion and bargain buys.

Spoilt for choice
Melbourne Central (on the corner of Latrobe and Swanton streets) sprawls almost two city blocks and has more than 300 stores, including popular Australian and international labels and chain stores. Check out the Fashion Incubator retail gallery for the nation’s hottest emerging designers and latest trends before they hit the mass market.

The nearby QV (between Swanston and Russell streets) offers a dynamic mix of top-end fashion and lifestyle retailers, including Cactus Jam, Zimmerman and Aesop, as well as a European style piazza.

In Bourke Street Mall you’ll find Myer and David Jones department stores as well as The GPO, housed in a gorgeous heritage-listed building, which boasts a stellar line-up of Australian and international designers, including Lisa Ho, Leona Edmiston, Lisa Gorman and Karen Millen.

Right up my alley
Explore the city’s beautiful lanes and arcades and you’ll discover all kinds of treasures – from quirky clothing labels and eclectic accessories to vintage homewares.

Flinders Lane is the city’s key commercial gallery precinct, with studios and stores specialising in art, jewellery and design, such as Craft Victoria and Flinders Lane Gallery.

Royal Arcade – between Bourke Street mall and Little Collins Street – is Australia’s oldest (circa 1869) retail arcade and home to an historic clock that is struck every hour by two giant carved guards named ‘Gog’ and ‘Magog’.

The stunning Block Arcade (between Collins and Little Collins streets), built in 1891, features Italian mosaic floors, glazed ceilings and a grand glass dome. Here you’ll find a mix of fashion boutiques, accessories stores, tea-rooms and chocolatiers.

The intricate century-old Cathedral Arcade is a haven for finding edgy fashion; while Degraves Street, Centre Place and Hardware Lane are lined with small eateries and cafes.

Fancy threads
The Collins Street strip is renowned for luxury brand stores, such as Chanel, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co.

Husk (176 Collins Street) is an elegant fashion and accessories salon, complete with delicate crystal chandeliers, stocking stylish Australian and overseas designers, including Easton Pearson and Lee Mathews.

For ladies with a soft spot for shoes, Miss Louise (205 Collins Street) is a mandatory stop-off, even if it is just to window shop.

For the boys
Newcomer to the Melbourne’s men’s fashion scene, Jack London in Swanston Street is owned by Karl Bartl (former partner of iconic Aussie designer Alannah Hill). The range features cool suits for fashion-conscious city dwellers.

Another recently opened men’s wear store is Claude Maus in Manchester Lane. The Claude Maus label (created by Melbourne-based designer Rob Maniscalco) is renowned for its eclectic and esoteric styling.

City fringe style
Bargain-hunters should make a beeline for Bridge Road in Richmond which is renowned for its discounted fashion, footwear and homewares in the many factory outlets and clearance stores.

Alternatively, take the short tram trip to Chapel Street where people-watching is as important as the shopping. Here you’ll find up-to-the-minute fashion and designer boutiques, including Wayne Cooper and Collette Dinnigan, as well as the new Bloom Cosmetics flagship store.

Want more?
For more shopping tips, go to www.visitvictoria.com/melbourne