I suppose you think you don’t know what smug shopping is. I think you’ll find you certainly do.
Smug shopping is that glorious moment when you find and purchase something incredible… and there’s almost no chance your friends will be able to get their hands on one too. It generally leads to the following conversation:
Friend: Oh, WOW! I love your thingjammit!
You: Thanks, friend.
Friend: Where’s it from?
You (smugly): Overseas / vintage store / designer one-off sample sale / whatever.
Indeed, smug shopping doesn’t have to be expensive, just difficult to replicate. Anyone who did the obligatory European trip between high school and uni will tell you stores like Topshop are sensational for a smug shop.
Anyway, I digress. What I’m about to tell you though, may change your life so I hope you’re emotionally prepared. Here it is…
Brisbane Is Australia’s Smug Shopping Capital. (Cue gasps from audience).
Sceptical? Here’s why it’s true:
Reason Number One: The vintage stores are still reasonably priced.
I picked up the cutest Chanel-esque teal 100% wool dress from the 50s for $30. If you’d like to make a similar find, try The Purple Bedroom (www.thepurplebedroom.com.au) at 969 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley. When I was there they even had authentic (vintage) Manolo Blahniks for under a hundred bucks. Since you’re already in the area, take a look at Sunday Social (www.sundaysocialstore.com) at 5d Winn Street. Oh, and if you visit the latter on the weekends you’ll discover a tiny market has cropped up in the laneway of Winn Street – smug shopping galore!
Reason Number Two: They have more boutiques than you’ll find elsewhere in the country.
I’m currently working on a hypothesis that this is because so many chain stores open in Brisbane as one of their last locations when they’ve already covered off Melbourne, Sydney and maybe even Perth. Whatever the reason, Brisbane has way more than it’s fair share of beautifully curated boutiques.
If you’re in Brisbane and shopping, what you MUST do is get yourself to
James Street. My favourites in no particular order were:
Ellia and
Calexico at 46 James Street in Fortitude Valley,
Soot at 49 James Street,
Ivy & Bird at 164a Arthur Street… just off James street,
The Tribune at 164b Arthur Street and Kisses at 50 James Street. Kisses stocks my label, so I may be a little biased on that one ;)
If you somehow still have the energy, Samantha Ogilvie and Lotus 76 at The Emporium (1000 Ann Street) should definitely be on your list too.
Finally, a special mention is deserved for
Fallow at 354 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. This store is so spectacular my husband (yes ladies, HUSBAND) wanted to go back and caused him to declare “shopping here is so much better than in Melbourne. I’d come here to shop.”
Of course, I’ve only managed to cover off the boutiques I personally enjoyed in one area of Brisbane alone. There are SO many more to be found.
Reason Number Three: They have an incredible range of markets and jumble sales.
I didn’t want these blog posts to be too long (honestly though, it’s way too easy to get caught up in the fabulousness of it all) so I’m going to be brief. You’ll struggle to walk around on the weekend without bumping into one, but here are a few to get you started…
BrisStyle twilight markets for everything handmade,
Southbank Lifestyle Market - on the first Sunday of each month you’ll find the Young Designers Market alongside it too.
Your timing would have to be pretty amazing as it’s only on twice a year, but if you get lucky don’t miss the
Finders Keepers design market. Of course, they have all the fresh food markets (there’s one in James Street too!).
So. Brisbane. Australia’s capital of smug shopping… and WAY cheaper than a ticket to Europe.