While it might not have quite as grand a reputation as other major Australian cities when it comes to fashion, Brisbane is quietly, and stylishly, ushering in a new era of high-end labels and trendy designers. Whether you’re after a must-have, bank-balance busting designer dress in the boutiques of Edward Street, or happier hunting through the work of up-and-coming fashionistas in Fortitude Valley, you’ll never be short of threads to try on in Brisbane.
Brisbane CBD
The center of Brisbane is a real hub of activity, thanks in the main to the impressive Queen Street Mall which is not an indoor shopping center as its name suggest but instead an area home to countless boutiques, stores, and even a number of shopping centers within a range of pedestrianized streets perfect for ambling along. From internationally renowned department stores to local talent, this is the closely-packed and wide-ranging capital for Brisbane’s clothes-loving types
Fortitude Valley
If the Queen Street Mall is where you can go to spend a day of browsing and buying, Fortitude Valley is more a place for the serious fashion-follower. While there are malls and department stores aplenty in this Eastern suburb, it’s also a place you can head to try and hunt down the quirkier one-off couture piece, or see if you can find designers who’ll soon be doubling their prices and taking the world by storm before they get too pricey. Antiques and art about too in this bohemian area.
Paddington
Paddington, to the west of the city center, is a real up-and-coming place when it comes to shopping and fashion. It’s a changing place and part of that is reflected in the rise in antiques stores, quirky boutiques, and arty vibes which are increasingly on offer in this area. There’s designer labels and department stores too though, making Paddington, and especially its La Trobe Street, well worth the visit for everyone from the label-chasing aspiring catwalker to the more offbeat secondhand and vintage fan.
West End
If you like things alternative, or are more into tracking down something with character than buying off the peg, then a visit to the West End is a must for you. The flea market is a sight to behold, and packed full of all manner of bargains, quirks, and home-grown oddities, and runs every Saturday morning. The vibe in the West End is a mix of edgy, cool, and right-on, so expect tattoo parlors and vegan cafés, but also plenty of alternative outfits to kit out the rock chick or Goth in you.
South Bank
The arts scene is really pronounced in the South Bank, and so it’s not all that surprising to find it’s the home of an excellent arts and crafts fair market. This isn’t the only highlight of the region though, with lots of high-end stores and a busy, buzzy weekend vibe thanks to its regular market. There are plenty of pubs, restaurants, and cafés to unwind in too, when you’re done hunting for arts, crafts, or new outfits.
