There’s plenty of cool and quirky things to do and places to explore in Wellington. So it’s only fair it’s city dwellers are threaded up for the occasion. Thankfully for the lucky Wellingtonians and passers by, the Capital is quite the hotspot for vintage shopping.
You'll find most of these joints on the achingly cool Cuba Street so you can hit them all in a day. Get ready to pop some tags and swipe that credit card, here are the best vintage stores in Wellington for all your thrifting needs and desires.
Thrift
Cuba Street
Ever fancied transforming into a 90’s cool girl, a 50’s pin-up queen or a varsity-jacket-clad 80’s jock? Thrift’s line up of slick vintage threads will help you do just that. Follow the rainbow path and walk your way into the magical vintage kingdom that is Thrift. Row after row, you’ll find tonnes of nifty clothes from all decades and eras. There’s everything from American logo brands to sweet vintage dresses, right through to everything you need for a snazzy double (or even triple) denim get up.
Spacesuit
Cuba Street
With a name like Spacesuit, you can bet your bottom dollar that this vintage store is nothing but cool. And we mean seriously cool. Like, brightly coloured overalls, 80’s fluro sports jacket, and vintage american football jersey kinda cool. It doesn’t stop there though, Spacesuit is also one of the best vintage stores in Wellington to pick up accessories and knick-knacks to the likes of sneakers, caps, cat-eye sunglasses and of course the accessory of the moment; the bum-bag. With a lush line up like this, it’s no surprise Spacesuit is one of Wellington’s best vintage stores.
Ziggurat
Cuba Street
If you happen to hear a vintage coat calling your name, it’s most likely coming from Ziggurat. Step into this store and you’ll feel like you’ve hopped into a vintage diva’s walk-in-wardrobe. There’s everything from a fabulous lineup of vintage day and evening dresses, as well as a mighty fine selection of coats from yesteryear. Of course, let's not forget the accessories—there’s also an incredible shoe rack, jewellery cabinets dripping with vintage sparkles and an impressive hat wall for the finishing touch to any fabulous vintage get-up.
Hunters & Collectors
Cuba Street
No list of Wellington’s best vintage stores is complete without a mention of the vintage mecca that is Hunters & Collectors. It's safe to say that this treasure trove is a firm favourite among the Wellington vintage store scene, and truly one of a kind—just like the vintage goodies you’ll come across. You’ll find plush fur coats rubbing shoulders with the most badass of leather jackets, glamourous vintage gowns, nifty shoes and an uncanny amount of gorgeous accessories from both top luxury designer names to mysterious vintage labels of yesteryear.
Recycle Boutique
Vivian Street
You can’t help but love the Recycle Boutique. With a superb selection of threads from local and international designers up for grabs at a slither of the price, it’s no surprise that the Recycle Boutique is one of the best places to pick up vintage treasures in Wellington — and in the rest of NZ, for that matter.
Emporium Premium
Cuba Street
Kit yourself out in fresh sports-luxe threads from Cuba Street hotspot Emporium Premium. Here you’ll find rack after rack of perfectly curated vintage pieces from all of the sporty chic brands you could imagine. From Tommy Hilfiger right through to Lacoste, this store has got you sorted with every single thing you could ever want in a 90’s cool-kid’s wardrobe. Bomber jackets? You name it. Hockey jerseys from yesteryear? They’ve got them. Ralph Lauren Caps in every single hue under the sun? Yep, they’re there too.
Image Credit: Thrift