Shopping sustainably — secondhand fashion in Wellington

Tucked on Cuba Street, this little shop is packed with imported vintage and retro fashion. One-of-a-kind or hard-to-find, Spacesuit’s collection comes straight out of Japan and America. It sells clothing and accessories for both men and women. Much of its stock is from the 90s and covers a range of designer brands. 

Digging through the racks is a secondhand hunter’s dream, with much of the cosy space packed to the rafters. The staff are always on hand to help find the perfect piece or style your new wardrobe.

Hunters and Collectors is a Wellington institution. Locals know it for its whimsical window displays and comprehensive selection of vintage fashion. The shop’s owner has a decades-long love for fashion, enabling her to seek out amazing finds. This makes Hunters and Collectors the spot for special and rare vintage pieces. Think Vivienne Westwood, Louboutin, Gucci, and Issey Miyake. There are also top Aotearoa designers like NOM*d, Zambesi, and Wynn Hamlyn. Whether you’re on the hunt for a timeless classic or an outrageous statement piece, Hunters and Collectors has you covered.

After gathering a following selling secondhand fashion online, Preloved Charlies owner Mikaela Venimore opened her first store in 2022. Now, you can find Mikaela and friends at Preloved Charlies on Victoria Street. The light and airy space makes for a calming shopping experience. Browse a curated selection of secondhand and preloved clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewellery. Much of the selection is from the 90s and early 2000s and all lovingly handpicked by Mikaela. 

If you’ve got time, the Charlies team can put together a style bundle for you. Just give them your size, some inspirational images, your likes (and dislikes), and the team will work their magic.

Missing European vintage in your wardrobe? Frip Vintage stocks a French warehouse collection in Wellington. The garments made the slow journey by sea to Pōneke from a French supplier whose collection spans 50 years. The store’s name comes from ‘friperie’, the French word for a second-hand clothing shop. Look for the coloured tags to find pieces sold by weight. Sift through sequins and cycle jerseys worthy of a Tour de France rider. The unisex range also offers men's and women’s cuts across jackets, jeans, and more. Owner Melleny Black fell in love with a pre-loved store in Marseille and brought the concept home.

Honour the planet and your wardrobe at this secondhand consignment store. 

The light and airy space on Vivian Street is curated by owner Sue Allen. The stylish Wellingtonian opened the store in 2014. Sue’s love of fashion and keen eye translate to curated racks of interesting, mostly designer, women’s clothing. She hand-picks finds from locals to on-sell at Honour. You can guarantee everything will be in great condition, stylish, and a little bit different from your usual.

Looking for weird, wonderful, and wacky designs? You’ll find them at Bizarre Bazaar. 

The store stocks a mix of new and vintage designer, streetwear, and independent fashion. From fresh graduate collections to coveted secondhand pieces, there are plenty of treasures to be found. 

Owner Jess Scott curates the collection. Her love of avant-garde means there are a few boundary-pushing pieces, but plenty of collectable and wearable finds as well. Local designers are championed, with the store providing a platform for up-and-coming creatives across fashion, jewellery, and more.

Secondhand shopping has had a makeover at Recycle Boutique.

Recycle Boutique is a consignment store, re-selling Wellingtonian wardrobes in a light and airy space. Forget any ideas you have about tired and dingy secondhand stores. This boutique is fun and fresh, and as the name suggests, all about recycling. The counters and changing rooms are made from recycled materials, as are the changing room stools. Racks upon racks of curated secondhand pieces offer plenty of opportunities to unearth hidden gems. If you’re tired from browsing, there’s a café within the shop. Lunch Money offers coffee and counter food to refuel you for continued shopping.

A beloved member of the city’s secondhand scene, Ziggurat has been selling vintage treasures since the 1980s. 

The racks of dresses are a local favourite, but every corner of the store offers some goodies to be found. The shop’s two sides offer curated vintage on one, and contemporary secondhand finds on the other. Men and women are catered to, with everything from cocktail dresses to tweed suits. On the vintage side, only the best pieces are selected by the staff. Everything is in excellent condition, with lots of fun prints and colours.