Wellington's best boutique shopping
Featuring a curated range of labels ranging from local to international, great service and stylish store fit-outs.
Madame Fancy Pants
225 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
A boutique specialising in all things wonderful, Madame Fancy Pants has been a Wellington favourite since it opened in 2007.
Owned and run by the charismatic Claire Terry, who also designs jewellery under the Madame Fancy Pants brand which is made nearby.
At MFP you’ll find beautiful clothing, jewellery, stationery, accessories, baby goods and a whole bunch of other types of wonderful from a range of brands and makers from around New Zealand and the world.
Juliette Hogan
88 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Known for her impeccably tailored clothing, Juliette Hogan makes ready-to-wear collections that you will want to wear every day.
Using a simple palette of neutral tones interspersed with highly anticipated signature prints, Juliette Hogan’s pieces have a simple sophistication and elegance. Where possible, Juliette Hogan produces her clothing in New Zealand and uses natural fabrics like New Zealand merino and wool for pieces that are designed to last.
Coco Wellington
128 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Coco is one of those hidden gem stores that you need to seek out. Stocking hard-to-find labels from New Zealand and beyond, this high-end boutique on Willis Street is the perfect place to find a special occasion outfit. In an elegant, gallery-like retail space, Coco presents Australian labels like Zimmermann and Senso and New Zealand ones like Ingrid Starnes, Harman Grubiša and Charmaine Reveley. You never know what you’ll find at Coco, but you’ll be so glad that you sought it out.
Caughley
57 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Caughley has that effortless cool that comes with a well-cut pair of jeans and an organic cotton t-shirt.
Run by charismatic owner Rachel Caughley, the store reflects her own effortless style and exuberance. The store has a carefully selected edit of pieces from coveted international brands and emerging New Zealand designers and there's always a good range of timeless accessories, jewellery and shoes - all handpicked by Rachel.
The cool-without-trying-too-hard store is filled with beautiful natural light that pours in through the street-facing windows and is a lovely place to spend some time.
ENA
30 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
In a beautifully laid-out retail space on Ghuznee Street, ENA presents a collection of dreamy and elegant garments from some of New Zealand's most beloved labels.
ENA, pronounced "ee-na" is named after Nadya's grandmother and is the place to discover your new favourite brand. Owner and Massey fashion graduate Nadya France-White has a great eye for classic and striking design and brings together a thoughtful and unique edit of local and international contemporary design.
twenty-seven names
27 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
You could say that Wellington label twenty-seven names has acquired something of a cult-like following. Their clothing is classically practical and simple to wear yet has an element of whimsy with covetable prints and bold colours. Designers (and best friends) Anjali Stewart and Rachel Stewart put a strong focus on sustainability and keeping it local – their line is designed and made in Wellington using natural fabrics. Visit their beautiful store on Ghuznee Street to check out the entire seasonal range.
Good As Gold
111 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington
When you see a stylish local on the streets of Wellington, chances are they shop at Good as Gold. The independent family-owned streetwear store brings together a curated selection of brands from around the globe, as well as some local and New Zealand labels. The staff are friendly (and very well-dressed) and the store has a laidback and very chilled vibe. From sneakers to jeans to dresses and accessories, Good as Gold has some real treasures in store for you.
Goodness
19 College Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Goodness is another boutique that started off on Jackson Street and became so popular, it opened a second store in central Wellington. Make like a local and fall in love with Goodness’ carefully curated designer collections of clothing, jewellery, accessories and footwear sourced from New Zealand and international labels. The store also stocks its own eponymous label, designed by store owner Chris Hales, which has a focus on natural fabrics, textures and colours.
Kowtow
29 College Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Fitting for a label inspired by craftsmanship that began right here in Wellington, the Kowtow flagship store is a masterpiece of natural, locally-sourced and sustainable materials. It’s the perfect backdrop for browsing Kowtow’s seasonal collections, and the kind of space you’ll want to linger in. Inspired by architecture and street style, Kowtow’s clothes are designed to move freely with their wearers.
Wellington-based Kowtow founder, Gosia Piatek, is involved with every aspect of the production of clothing by her avant-garde label, dedicated to fairtrade and organic cotton and sustainable, ethical production. Gosia believes consumer choices should have positive consequences and impact on the world around us.
Wanda Harland
126 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington
With an emphasis on ethically-made garments, Wanda Harland has a good eye for wearable, well-made garments that will last. Bringing together a curated collection of covetable labels from local, New Zealand and international designers, the Wakefield Street store is the second for Wanda Harland, which began with a store on Jackson Street. With a good number of pieces from each represented designer, this is the kind of store where you can happily spend some time browsing.
No16
2/16 Jessie Street, Te Aro, Wellington
No16 is one of those stores you stumble upon and it instantly becomes one of your new favourite places. Run by the incomparable Anna Ronberg, a whirlwind of style and good humour, No16 is ranked by many stylish locals their favourite place to shop.
Anna makes regular buying trips to Europe where she handpicks a selection of international brands to bring back, including Comme des Garcons, Junya Watanabe, PLAY, Noir, Acne Studios, Sofie D'Hoore, Pleats Please, Issey Miyake and Dries Van Noten. No16 also has some well-loved second-life designer items for sale.
Yu Mei
85 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington
If Wellington has an ‘it’ bag, it would most certainly be made by Yu Mei. Founded by Wellingtonian Jessie Wong, Yu Mei create leather bags and accessories that are functional with an understated luxury that are made in the heart of Wellington. Yu Mei’s flagship store on Victoria Street has a clean and minimalistic design and is a stunning place to experience Yu Mei’s often-updated collection of leather goods, which ranges from bags to wallets and accessories. Each Yu Mei design is made from 100% South Island, New Zealand farmed and tanned deer nappa which makes for an object that’s unbelievably soft and develops a lovely patina with age.
Area 51
Corner Cuba & Dixon Streets, Te Aro, Wellington
Area 51 is Wellington’s original premium contemporary street wear store for men and women. Established in 2000, the well laid-out store has a super friendly and low-key relaxed vibe and has become a Cuba Street destination for the well-dressed. With a carefully curated selection of local and emerging to leading and influential brands there’ll be something in-store that is exactly your sort of style – from Adidas to Huffer, Vans to Rains and more.
Lonely
104 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Fitting for a label most famous for their beautiful underwear, Lonely’s flagship store on Victoria Street is a private sanctuary that’s hidden from view from the street. Designed by leading architectural designer Rufus Knight (also behind Aesop and Yu Mei store fitouts), the marble and concrete walls and floor are juxtaposed with a stunning purple sofa and a rustic handwoven rug. Shopping at Lonely is a lovely experience where every detail has been thought through: from the staff, to the complimentary sparking water and the beautiful dried flower arrangements at the door.
Zambesi
103 Customhouse Quay, Wellington
With a classic industrial warehouse feel, Zambesi’s Wellington store is the home of avant-garde labels for men and women. The in-store edit includes their own Zambesi collections, plus New Zealand and international labels. Zambesi is one of New Zealand’s foremost and longest-running fashion labels and was founded in 1979 by Elisabeth and Neville Findlay. Zambesi is the place for enduring fashion with unexpected twists, with a clever mix of practicality and imagination.