The 10 Best Vintage Stores in Auckland, New Zealand
There are many fantastic aspects of Auckland, New Zealand. Culinary-wise, many would say this city is leading the way. That in itself is a big call when you think that it is competing with the likes of Christchurch and Wellington. However, when it comes to vintage shopping, Auckland is in a class of its own. Here is our guide to the top 10 spots in NZ’s biggest city.
1. The Bread and Butter Letter
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The Bread and Butter Letter might very well be our favourite vintage store in Auckland. This is saying a lot as the city is heaving with them and many are downright fantastic. This shop is a carefully curated boutique that sells the best of NZ design alongside charming vintage clothing. What is a real seller though is that it is also a purveyor of fine tea! Carefully curated New Zealand-made goodies and hand-selected vintage clothing sit side by side and vie for your attention, making this a really wonderful and interesting shopping experience.
2. Retro Addiction
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3. The Open Book
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4. Tatty's
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5. Flotsam and Jetsam
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Going into Flotsam and Jetsam is a real experience the first time you do it. Up until you walk through the door, you don’t realise just how cool your house would be if you were to purchase a laundry trolley – the kind that people are forever using to escape out of prisons in the movies with some bloke who is poorly disguised as the washerwoman. And how brilliant would it be to have a fruit bowl that is actually an old peach basket? Then there are all the miscellaneous light fittings that you could do something with. Then it hit us. What Flotsam and Jetsam are selling is possibilities, not just great vintage items. What’s not to love about that? What’s particularly good is the pricing. It’s not exorbitant – an American, wooden cocktail muddler is $45 NZD, for instance – but items cost enough for you to feel like you’ve purchased something special, like you’ve treated yourself. This is probably our favourite Ponsonby vintage shopping experience.
6. Paper Bag Princess
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7. Mr. Bigglesworthy
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If you’re looking to kit out your home in some of the best mid-century furniture that Auckland has to offer, then you should make your way straight to the good folk at Mr. Bigglesworthy. Now, you might be thinking that second-hand furniture can be a bit grotty? Well, maybe so, in some cases. Not here though. This is proper vintage furniture. The sort that men and women all over Ponsonby and Auckland want to get their hands on and kit out their newly renovated homes. We’re talking second-hand sofas for $2,500 NZD here. Perhaps, you’re after an industrial looking but nonetheless snazzy baked enamel, vintage scissor light? That’ll be $550 NZD, thank you very much. This is proper vintage, and it is lovely stuff. If you’re in the market for a new (new to you, anyway) $700 NZD coffee table then pop on down to Mr. Bigglesworthy.
8. Recycle Boutique
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9. Encore Designer Fashion Recycle
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Once you get past that mouthful of a title, you’ll realise Encore is actually a pretty simple place. It’s one of these fantastic recycled clothing stores that take a commission on the items they sell on your behalf – exactly like Recycled Boutique in Wellington. There are three payment options for those who want to bring their old clothes to be sold. The first is you can receive 45% of the net price (exclusive of GST). You may collect the money as cash if below $80. All payments over $80 will be paid via bank deposit at your request. Any unsold items will be returned to you. The second option is to receive 50% of the net price on the condition that any items unsold after further reduction will go straight to charity. And lastly, you can elect to receive 55% of the net price. The money will remain in your account to purchase items from the store. It’s a good, hassle-free way to create some wardrobe space and get a little money in return.
10. Rita Sue
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If you’re after that pin-up girl look, but want clothing that is new and fresh, then look no further than Rita Sue. Here, they have all those classic retro styles, but made for the modern woman. They have everything you need to either start or complete a look. Earrings, purses, dresses, swimsuits, scarves and shorts and are all here for the picking. So whether you need something for a fifties costume or want to freshen up the wardrobe, head down to see Rita Sue’s wares.
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