When it comes to op shopping, Brisbane/Meanjin is a tried and tested stomping ground for those out to find a bargain. Whether you're after a retro costume for an 80s party or you just want to join the circular economy and save a perfectly good pair of heels from landfill, there's plenty of thrift shops all over town with racks and racks of goodies awaiting you.
To save you traipsing all over the city looking for secondhand steals, here at Urban List we've done the scouring for you, so all you need to do is raid your money jar and pop some tags. Here's our hit-list of the best op shops in Brisbane to search for anything from designer jackets to that perfect vintage tee.
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Best Suburbs For Hitting Multiple Op Shops
Lawnton
Salvos, Vinnies, Lifeline, Neighbours Aid And 1-World
If it's choice you want, head for Lawnton, where you'll find five op shops all within a stone's throw from each other—Salvos, Vinnies, Lifeline, Neighbours Aid and 1-World. Overflowing with clothes, books, furniture, kitchenware, bric-a-brac and more, each of the stores is surprisingly sizeable—the benefit of op shops in the 'burbs. Better pack snacks (and a car with a generous boot), because you will be here all day hunting through the shelves and racks for bargain treasures.
Newstead And New Farm
Vinnies, Salvos Stores And RSPCA
The benefit of hitting an op shop in one of Brisbane’s wealthiest suburbs is that you’ll find what’s on the racks matches what’s in the closets of the million-dollar houses nearby. Nowhere is this more true than at New Farm’s RSPCA and Newstead's Vinnies and Salvos, where you can bag clothing, household items, bric a brac, accessories and furniture for a pittance. Real housewives of Teneriffe, we truly appreciate your sacrifice. Dig deep for high-end designer labels and almost-new pieces from the likes of Seed, Camilla, Zimmerman and Sass & Bide, as well as designer homewares and furniture. Also good to know—all of them take donations on site.
Paddington
RSPCA, Vinnies And Red Cross Store
Image credit: RSPCA Op Shops QLD | Facebook
Everyone knows that Paddington is the place to go op shopping in Brisbane if you want multiple spots to hit where you're guaranteed to find designer threads on the cheap. The price tags you'll find on the thrifted fashions at these Brisbane op shop might be a tad higher than the ones you'll find elsewhere but, trust us, they're worth it. The Red Cross Store in particular only stocks high-end labels and true vintage goods, all of them in impeccable quality. $40 for a $200 designer dress? Yes please. The new RSPCA Op Shop is also a must-visit in you're in the area, and Vinnies is good for everything from vintage leather jackets to crystal glassware.
Stones Corner
Lifeline, RSPCA, Salvos, Vinnies And Save The Children
Literally every op shop in Brisbane has a store front in Stones Corner, which makes it one of the best suburbs to hit for bargains. For seriously retro outfits—and by retro we mean actually made in the '50s and possibly worn by your nanna, not just the Valley Girl re-creations made in the '00s—Lifeline in Stones Corner is a veritable wonderland of floral patterns and old-fashioned silhouettes. Not to mention, we want all of their decor—if only it was actually for sale. Once you've filled a bag, take a wander to check out the RSPCA, Salvos, Vinnies and Save The Children stores on the same strip.
Annerley
Do-Op Shop, Lifeline Vintage Revival, Save The Children, Yesterdays Op Shop And Vinnies
Image credit: Do-Op Shop Annerly | Instagram
Annerley's Lifeline Vintage Revival has long been the Brisbane op shop to head to for retro or costume gear, but they've since been joined by a heap of other shopping options, including the new Do-Op Shop (more on them below). The Lifeline is where you’ll find everything you need for your next theme party, from '70s flower power to Russian mob level fur coats, plus wigs, cowboy boots and gypsy skirts galore, but with a Save The Children And Yesterdays Op Shop just across the road and a Vinnies and Do-Op just a little ways up Ipswich Road, you're gonna need a whole day here.
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Red Hill
Salvos, Lifeline And Windsor Road Thrift Shop
The Salvos have two large sheds in Red Hill that are worth a drive to Red Hill alone—they’re so big and jam-packed with pre-loved goodness you’ll be digging for hours. Always a good spot for homewares, furniture and second hand clothes, they’ve also got a street Boutique, where you’ll find barely worn designer labels and some seriously funky finds. Since you're over this way though, you'll want to also check out the new Lifeline on Musgrave Road, then head for the Windsor Road Thrift Shop under the Windsor Road Baptist Church, which is an Aladdin's cave of all your fashionista desires, new and old. It is especially tempting if you love shoes, with an entire room fof floor-to-ceiling shelves to sort through.
Best Stand-Alone Op Shops Worth The Trip
Local Opy
West End
Image credit: Local Opy | Instagram
A spin-off by the team behind the more curated vintage store Swop, Local Opy takes the items that they couldn't accept as part of their cask-back or credit program, and instead offers them at a fixed price, with all proceeds going to their rotating charity of choice. Prices range from $9 for tops to just $14 for jackets and the items all come from the same people donating to Swop, so you know there's some gold waiting to be discovered.
Yesterdays Thrift Shop
Rosalie
Just up from the main hub of Rosalie, the little rooms of Yesterdays are always chockers, especially the $2 bargain section. With some great labels, all in top nick, you'll usually pay under $10 for any item of clothing, and every Sunday you can fill a whole bag for $4. Hit up their other stores in Mitchelton, West End, Annerley and Indooroopilly if you want to keep shopping.
Do-Op Shop
Morningside
Image credit: Do-Op Shop | Instagram
We do love an independant local biz, and when they support the community around them too? Double tick. Do-Op Shop is just that—a non-religious charity that gives 100% of its profits to local initiatives. On the racks you'll find plenty of secondhand treasures, including women's, men's and kid's wear, plus a bit of bric-a-brac. You can even shop online if you're not close enough to visit—scope out their online shop here.
St Veronica's Thrift Shop
West End
A classic old-school independent thrift shop, St Veronica's in West End is an eclectic and hodgepodge mix of all sorts from clothes to books and everything in between. Open Monday to Saturday, it’s not as busy as other shops so you have freedom to ferret among their treasures. Check out the retro rack if you’re looking for something to wear to that '80s party this weekend (and maybe head to the iconic Quan Thanh for a pho after all that browsing).
Looking to break up your shopping with a little brunch? Head here:
Image credits: Local Opy | Facebook
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