Melbourne's best markets: Clothes, books and bric-a-brac

Hello Sailor Vintage Fair

Collingwood
Last Sat of every second month

Every Hello Sailor Vintage Fair features different pop-up stores with some of Melbourne’s best vintage collectors for both sexes, including Nine Lives Vintage and Recycled, Muscrats, Grandma Funk, Marci Vintage, Dear Gladys, Bleeker St Vintage, I Wish I Was a Hippie and more. Most of the stores buy from Europe and the US with kit ranging from the ’20s to the ’90s. Also great news for music lovers, the event is often hosted in conjunction with the Crate Diggers Record Fair. Why not purchase some retro records to match your newly acquired get-up?

Blackbird Market

Fitzroy, Second Sun of month

Stalls boast handmade bits and bobs, one-off fashion items, kitsch homewares and a kaleidoscope of art. Bicycle bandits should check out Cycle Style, who offer genius pieces like the skirt garter, designed to prevent those pesky skirt-in-spokes moments. Another favourite is Lovely Sparrow & Co, with bespoke jewelled numbers such as their gorgeously detailed filigree rings, and dainty floral locket-watch necklaces. This indoor market is also known to feature DJs and live music to soundtrack your treasure hunt.

Coburg Trash & Treasure Market

Coburg, Sun

At this gigantic outdoor bazaar, a dizzying variety of paraphernalia is up for grabs – old and new, practical and ornamental, chic and kitsch. Anyone can open a stall, so a visit here is like attending several hundred garage sales all at once – at a drive-in cinema!

Fed Square Book Market

Melbourne, Sat

Bibliophiles can browse around 5,000 new and second-hand titles encompassing all the genres, presented by a revolving cast of veteran Melbourne booksellers. After finding something interesting, stroll upstairs to the Ian Potter Centre for Australian art to round off a satisfyingly cultural Saturday.

Camberwell Sunday Market

Camberwell, Sun

Operating since 1976, this is Melbourne’s biggest marketplace for pre-loved wares, with 370 outdoor stalls. Find anything from a string of pearls to hardwood furniture – you and your home can get a cheap makeover. Keep an eye out for Trish Hunter and her Travelling Vintage Shop: the retro caravan is just as gorgeous as the bric-a-brac inside it. Grab a piping hot jam doughnut and don’t leave any stone unturned.

Southside Handmade and Vintage Market

St Kilda, Last Sat of month

On October 27 this market will be dedicated to all things Spring Racing. with gorgeous hand-made millinery creations, colourful frocks and candy-sweet accessories. All in the cold-beer surrounds of St Kilda RSL! You’re in good hands, as the woman behind Southside, Anne Freeman, has won many Fashions on the Field competitions. (She also hosts Wonderfully Pretty Night Market on the second Monday of each month).

Thread Den presents North Melbourne Markets

North Melbourne, Sun Oct 21

These markets pack the Lithuanian Club with vintage clothing, vintage fabrics, cakes, local design and cute stuff for kids. Call Me Ishmael’s mini terrariums made out of block-colour plastic dinosaurs are pretty perplexing. Interior Hunter is worth a peek for vintage homewares. The October market is on the same day as the North Melbourne Spring Fling. The whole of Errol Street will be closed off for an old-school street party.

Chinatown Night Market

Melbourne, Third Sat of month

Once a month, Heffernan Lane is festooned with hanging lights and bunting and converted into a bustling Asian marketplace, at which a diverse range of stalls noisily sling dumplings, noodles, cakes and bright souvenirs in your general direction.

Take 2 Markets

Northcote, Sun Oct 21

Rina Chia and the stallholders at the Take 2 Markets offer quality women’s garments from Australian and international designers. The vintage clothing, accessories and footwear are affordable and all in great condition. The market is supported by Sustainable Fashion Australia, and stallholders can donate unsold goods to the charity partners.

Suitcase Rummage

Thornbury, Third Sun of month

Brisbane girls Daniele Constance and Isabel FitzGerald started the Suitcase Rummage two years ago and now periodically bring their success story to Melbourne. Everything must be sold from the inside of a suitcase. Anything second hand is welcome, from clothing to books and records, as are wares produced by local artists and designers. We recommend the Resin pendants from One Little Reason, a vegan muffi n from Kommoner, and the sweet treat-inspired clay jewellery Sweeti Petiti.