MELBOURNE TRIP

This is a Thrifting Edition. If you interest with going thrifting to this city, go click 'Read More' button as below. :)

Wearing: Vintage top and leggings / Vintage bag / Cotton out outerwear and necklace

Ok. So in this post I'd like to talk much about Melbourne city, and by talking about Melbourne means I will also babbling about my second most favorite activity after traveling, GO THRIFTING. Why? Because after my recent visit to Melbourne on last February, I came out with my opinion about this city: going to Melbourne means thrifting and cheap thrills galore. Even on one of Melbourne's tourist brochures, they suggest thrifting as a point of interest for tourism in Melbourne. See? I'm not the only one here.

That's why when I was there I managed myself to go thrifting from suburb to another suburb each day. And who's happy with my thrifting schedule in Melbourne? Definitely my mom. Because she was luckily got some (yes, she got more than one) vintage leather bags in incredible price and that was the first time she goes thrifting. But I also stopped to some other tourist attraction like Federation Square, this is the center point in Melbourne city, where you could find Ian Thorpe building, old church something (I forgot the name) close to the famous Yarra River and National Gallery of Victoria. Also other beautiful places such as Royal Botanical Garden (as pictured on above photo, me dashing in front of the memorial building), ST.Kilda Beach (as pictured on below picture, me enjoying the one and only sunny day with full layers outfit when I was in Melbourne), the famous Luna Park, and Bourke Street Mall, the last one is just another mall in the city but you can find beautiful dresses from Zara store, David Jones or Myer there.

Wait. Let me post my picture at St. Kilda beach near Luna Park Melbourne, which unconditionally closed on that day I arrived near the area. And forget about fashion on the beach, it was too cold to wear shorts or bikinis, so I ended up wearing winter outfits plus scarf. Total failed.

Now continue talking about thrift store. There are some best places for thrifting in Melbourne, such as along Chapel Street in Windsor, Sydney Road in Brunswick, or in Fitzroy area, where you can easily find some vintage stores along the street. But if you don't interest to go thrifting, you can go to some best factory outlets around Melbourne city, such as Bridge Road in Richmond, Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) in South Wharf or maybe Harbour Town Shopping Center in Docklands. Oh and I also heard there are some Sunday market with vintage galore in Melbourne, such as Camberwell Sunday Market, but since my flight was on Sunday afternoon, I didn't have much time to visit the market. Maybe on my next Melbourne trip I hope?

Wearing: Esprit jacket / Jeanswest top / Factorie leopard leggings / Lovisa necklace / Charles & Keith bag

As for your information, (in case you curious, if not then just continue read it, I insisted), I started thrifting as my hobby since I was in college. You know when you must wear different clothes to college and your money not as much as you need, there's no other better option than thrifting. Like the word 'thrift' means, you will pay less and get more with much of luck. Because when you go thrifting, you'll never know what you'll get, just like fishing. But do not ever expect too much to get a thrift scored, one day when I expected to get thrift scored for a specific item, I ended up with nothing. Really, NOTHING. But sometimes when I don't have a plan to buy anything, I'm home with two plastic bag full of my findings. 

So here are some of my tips for a successful thrift shopping: First, prepare your time. You'll need at least a full day spare time for thrifting, because this kind of activity needs patience, orientation to detail and it takes time. Second of all, wear the most comfy outfits you have, I'm thinking a pair of leggings and a tee or button up shirt. Third, forget your big fancy bag, just bring a small purse or some money in your pocket, because you'll get busy hunting stuffs and don't forget a shopping bag in case the store doesn't has plastic for your purchase. Fourth, if you thinking to buy some clothes, do try them first! Try and try and try. So you're not gonna regret your purchases after you already home. Because many thrift stores don't have exchange or refund policy like other stores have. Fifth, enjoy your thrifting time. The more you enjoy, the more luck will come to you. Well I believe on that phrase.

Did I babble to much? Oh yes. Here are some recommended vintage stores including the address in Melbourne area, in case if you interested of course. 

Around Windsor area: 1) Chapel Street Bazaar, 217 Chapel Street; 2) SHAG, 130 Chapel Street; 3) Fat Helen's, 78 Chapel Street.

Around Brunswick area: 1)Episode, 175-179 Sydney Road; 2) Savers, 330 Sydney Road; 3) Kinky Gerlinki, 209 Sydney Road; 4) Barkly Square, 90-106 Sydney Road.

Oh and last but not least, here is my self-portrait at Brighton Beach, picturing daily weather in Melbourne lately, windy and perfect timing to wear your best coat on autumn/winter season. I wish I could back to Melbourne again soon. I fell in love with this city.