Shopping in Sydney for clothes can be horrendous. Price wise that is. Stuff here is overpriced compared to what you’d pay in another cosmopolitan city. The selections available aren’t that great either and what Sydney sorely lacks is a fashionable mid market solution like Topman, H&M, Uniqlo or Zara. Even if there are uber-cool, niche labels, the stock is shrift. Instead, there’s a ton of overpriced, similarly stanced local brands with no guarantee of quality. The low end options resemble those you’d find in China only about 10 times more costly, which is absurd. Much of this is down to the inflated pay scales Aussies get to enjoy as well, but as a “poor international student”, I must voice my discontent.

Still, it has been half a year for me in Sydney, so I’ve gathered enough decent information to compile a list of places worth mentioning. This list is based off of superfuture’s Sydney essential shopping thread to begin with but I’ve sort of compiled it here and included lengthy anecdotes. This is largely for my own reference and in the hope that someone else far more enlightened might chance upon this and point me in the right direction.

I’ve included links where available for each store and also some of the Aussie labels. Some of which are really really cool. I’m only listing stores that I would actually step into myself and possibly buy something or at least lust after something.

I feel like the list is still quite empty. I’ve purposely left out a lot of mediocre stuff and most of the good streetwear because I’m moving past this sort of scene and only including the really good stuff that isn’t completely hype. I’m hoping that there’s more stores to add that are worthwhile.

Quality Japanese denim is completely missing, as are good quality dress shoes and perhaps more bespoke tailors that I don’t know about yet. And for the last time, will one of Topman or Uniqlo please please please open a store here? Or American Apparel with a complete range so I can try the shit on before I buy it. How come they can open a Melbourne store when the distributor is based in Sydney?

The KPNV’s Sydney Shopping List.

City. North – South.

David Jones @ Market Street – A department store it may be but this is where I copped my half priced Filippa K shirt. Another benefit of coming here is the food hall downstairs, which is pretty well stocked with decent grub. Second floor has got a wall of nudies, some Fred Perry, Filippa K, John Varvatos, Paul Smith, Jil Sander and Nicole Farhi. Great when there are sales.

HypeDC – Hype is a chain of shoe stores that stocks Asics, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Converse and Vans.

RM Williams – “The Bush Outfitter” as they call themselves. This is the Aussie cowboy store. Their dress boots are pretty spectacular.

Incu – Arguably the best store in Sydney. Here, you can get your paws on a lot of good labels, although everything is somewhat pricey. There are 2, one is in The Galeries Vic and the other is along Oxford Street in Paddington. A smattering of what they have on offer includes Filippa K, APC, nudies, Ksubi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Raf by Raf Simons, Trovata, 2K tees, Band of Outsiders, Henrik Vibskov, Nice Collective, YMC, Umbro by Kim Jones… The list goes on. I also remember Kenzo Minami tees that went superfast despite a hefty price tag and I tried on Michael Young’s PXR watch to the realization that I didn’t like it.

*update* Incu @ TGV has expanded, looks like they’re doing well.

Brent Wilson – This store is next to Incu @ Galeries Vic and is a bespoke clothing store for guys. They have ready to wear stuff on the racks but also do custom work as well.

Darlo/Paddo. West – East.

Our Spot – A slightly more uppity Incu with less stock and just as high prices, Our Spot is generally empty (both in terms of stock and people) most of the time since its located in a quiet lane off Oxford Street. The Spot is also where you can find NdG, Rittenhouse, APC, Common Projects, Florian Denicourt, Beat Poet.

Via Alley – Via Alley isn’t so much a clothing store although they actually have some Surface to Air stuff, Graniph tees and Porter collabos. Nice to visit for quirky trinkets and small interior products.

Robby Ingham – One of the two ultra expensive men’s stores in town carries Maison Martin Margiela, Paul Smith, Neil Barrett, Marc Jacobs and Dries van Noten.

Purdy Klampet – Men’s and women’s leaning heavily toward Aussie labels. Thousand Reasons, Love Thy Neighbour.

Ksubi – One of the hippest Aussie labels, they have a standalone store in Glenmore Road off Oxford Street in Paddo and another one in Bondi.

Assin – Newly opened along Oxford Street, this Melbournian import is the other ultra expensive men’s store in town. Probably more expensive as well, considering they stock Dior Homme, Comme des Garcons, Ann Demeulemeester, Undercover, Rick Owens, DRKSHDW…

Surry Hills. North – South.

Crown Street Shops – There’s a couple stores here that might be of interest. Some are vintage clothing resellers whilst others are more kooky stores with a distinctly Aussie vibe. Last time I was there, Dobry Den seemed like an interesting place although they had next to no guy’s stuff. Their website is down for whatever reason.

Capital L – A store that has a ton of girl’s stuff and not much guy’s but they have some Ksubi and Claude Maus.

Somedays – This is basically little Scandinavia and they stock Julian Red, Cheap Monday, Gram, Dr. Denim amidst some Aussie labels.

Orson & Blake – There are 2 stores and the one on Riley Street has got some guy’s stuff. Its a concept store filled with furniture and interiors as well as men’s and women’s fashion in the basement. A mix of local and international labels.

*update* orson & blake are closing down or so I’ve heard.

When I have the time, I will make my own Google map for this and post it up.