Vintage clothing continues to rise in popularity with mindful shoppers who choose to say no to fast fashion. But where do you go to find the best buys in New Zealand? And how do you sell items from your own collection? Here’s how to shop and sell great vintage in
Aotearoa right now.
With a keen eye, patience and a splash of good luck, great vintage can be unearthed from any opshop across the country.
Mercy Hospice, SPCA, Savemart, Paper Bag Princess and Habitat for Humanity will all stock the occasional vintage treasure amongst their secondhand clothing.
Definitions that separate the two categories are changeable. Painted Bird’s Stephanie King has characterised true vintage as a piece of clothing that is more than 50 years old. Alternatively, resale platform the Vestiare Collective classifies any piece of clothing older than 15 years as vintage. Generally, the term – when used in good faith and not in efforts to greenwash – is used to highlight craftsmanship, techniques and textiles that encapsulate high quality manufacturing from another era.
To find true treasure, you’ll need to dedicate a lot of time to rummaging through the racks. Having a familiarity with brands, materials and collections to suit your style will aid your sorting. However, having your phone on hand to search for relevant labels and eras is also a helpful shortcut (for those interested in local vintage, the New Zealand Fashion Museum archives are a useful reference).
If you’re looking to sell, it’s best to find out as much as possible about your piece. When was it made? What is it made of? Who made it? The more information you have about your piece and what it’s worth, the better you’ll be able to understand and communicate its value. Look to internal labels and image searching for some assistance.
Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Consider the vintage sellers who will most appreciate the piece, based on its style and era. If you’re confident you can communicate the value to others, and the label or style is more coveted, try listing directly on online platforms (details at the end of this story).
Below, you’ll find highlights from the local vintage scene in Aotearoa, along with details on how to sell to various knowledgeable vendors.
Gemini Vintage / Dead Man Vintage
This vintage clothing boutique popped up on the Ponsonby and Karangahape Rd intersection last September. The shop houses two vintage sellers under the same roof – Helen of Gemini Vintage and Kate of Dead Man Vintage.
The two sellers have slightly different sensibilities, so you’ll be able to shop according to their two different perspectives on vintage. There’s an exciting selection of occasion wear (lots of vintage dress from the 70s and 90s), glitzy accessories, alongside a more casual selection of tees and jeans.
The sellers will consider buying really special pieces or collections, but this is not one for consignment. Drop in store or send a message through their social media.
To shop now: Roisin Dubh tops from the 1990s.
Best for: Dresses, brooches and shoes.
5 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Racks of secondhand and vintage clothing at Karangahape Rd’s Crushes. Photo / Anna Heath
Crushes
Karangahape Rd has been home to this independent boutique for more than 13 years (though there has been a recent expansion to a bigger space). The store has a wide range to peruse, including rising local designers, homewares, books and diaries.
The vintage collection at Crushes is sourced from within Aotearoa, which makes it an excellent place to find New Zealand vintage. There’s plenty of variety within the curation, but Y2K stylings are common right now. As co-founder Rose Hope has previously explained to Viva, she’s interested in pieces that hold history, skill and interest. There’s also a dedicated section for Crushes’ vintage online, which includes notes and estimates for when each piece was made.
For those interested in selling pieces from their closets, you can apply for consignment – the boutique is looking for rare designer and vintage pieces rather than bulk drops. You’ll receive 50% to 60% in cash back or 60% to 70% in store credit.
Best for: New Zealand-sourced vintage.
235 Karangahape Rd, central Auckland
Go Jo Recycled Store
Go Jo Recycled Store is a treasure in between Avondale and New Lynn, where vintage expert Jo Bratton houses an emporium of clothing within an unassuming industrial block.
There are particularly interesting pieces from New Zealand’s fashion history – it was one of the key locations Dan Ahwa and his wider team consulted in sourcing for the archival opening New Zealand Fashion Week show last year.
You can contact the team through email or social media with brief descriptions and photos of pieces you want to sell – if Bratton is interested she’ll progress purchases from there.
Best for: Vintage NZ clothing, silk scarves and slips.
1/1 Riverbank Rd, New Lynn, Auckland
The interior of Love James.
Love James
This unique bridal salon, based upstairs on Karangahape Rd, is curated by Lizzie Langridge. The founder sources bridal and ocassionwear from the 1930s to the 1990s, both locally and internationally – her racks have held gowns by local icons like Colin Cole and coveted designers like Vera Wang.
To shop now: 1930s silk organza gown in pale pink.
Best for: Bridal, occasionwear and accessories.
446 Karangahape Rd, central Auckland
Driss Lambaraa of Tango Vintage. Photo / Dean Purcell
Tango Vintage
Driss Lambaraa is a stalwart of local vintage fashion. Over the years, Lambaraa has sold his selections from the Viaduct, Karangahape Rd, and Little High St. Now, he’s based in the historic building in Parnell that once housed the Exchange Tavern. European fashion has remained a key influence for the curator, who is French-Moroccan, so you’ll find plenty of pieces from notable designers from the continent. Lambaraa sources directly from vintage fiends, so if you have pieces that would suit his collection, drop in to the store.
To shop now: Tall leather boots.
Best for: Blazers, jackets and heels.
3/99 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland
Smoove
You’ll find an eclectic collection at Smoove, which is best for shopping rather than selling, from textural jackets to dresses and belt buckles. There are two rooms specifically dedicated to boots and furs, and racks are broken down simply into categories (band tees, jeans and leather jackets are grouped for easy perusing).
An online store is also currently in the works – watch this space.
To shop now: Cowboy boots.
Best for: Boots, denim and jackets.
161 Karangahape Rd, Newton, Auckland
Central Flea
This lively Balmoral market is regularly attended by local vintage sellers, including Bad News, Shop Silly Billy, Gemini Vintage, Dead Man Vintage, Vintage Voulez Vou, Middle Ground, Baby It’s Retro, Vintage By JP, Continual Store and Fever Vintage (the last two are also currently in a pop-up in Ponsonby). There are also sellers who set up shop on a one-time basis – it’s a staple for those flogging their wardrobes before they flock overseas.
If you are looking to sell your own vintage wares, you can apply to be a stallholder for $50. This gives you a 4 x 4 metre space to stock with your own racks of clothing.
To shop: On Sundays, from 8am to 1pm.
Best for: Visiting vintage sellers without brick-and-mortar locations.
170 Balmoral Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland
Nine Lives
Now, from a place painted pink, Nine Lives retails a large range of vintage sourced worldwide, alongside consignment designer and vintage clothing. Pieces can also be assessed for consignment in store.
To shop now: A cow print handbag.
Best for: White blouses, denim and boots.
9 Prince Ave, Mount Maunganui
Christina O, owner of Hunters and Collectors, Cuba Street. Photo / Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Hunters & Collectors
This Wellington store has been trading since 1987, proving it has the credentials for finding true vintage treasures. It’s all owed to founder and curator Chrissy O, who covets pieces from major labels like Vivienne Westwood, Martin Margiela, Jean Paul Gautier and Moschino.
If you have pieces you’d like to consign, you can contact Hunters & Collectors through Instagram to arrange drop off or postage.
Best for: International designers and bags.
134 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington
Ziggurat
Ten doors down Cuba St, you’ll find more curated vintage at Ziggurat. Kate Bryant has run the Wellington store for more than 18 years (though it has been open for more than 45). Bryant has a preference for classic styles, as well as interesting and alternative pieces. You can contact Ziggurat by phone or email if you’re interested in selling through consignment.
Best for: International designers and bags.
144 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington
Nifty
This pink storefront sings from Christchurch’s Cashel St, welcoming customers into a collection of secondhand and vintage clothing with a distinct aesthetic. Y2K is a common sight on the racks at Nifty, but occasionally there are older pieces amongst them (these pieces are highlighted online and by in-store labelling).
To sell your vintage with Nifty, pop in store with your goods at any time. They will be processed and priced, and if sold, you will receive 50% of the sale price. This can be redeemed as cashback or as store credit. Unsold items will be donated, if not picked up beforehand.
Best for: Strappy camisoles and handkerchief skirts.
306 Cashel St, Christchurch Central City.
The racks at Recycle Boutique.
Recycled Boutique
Though Recycled Boutique retails a broad collection of secondhand clothing, the vintage stock is clearly marked in its labelling. As the majority of stock is through consignment, there’s a broad range of categories to stumble across (though there’s generally a steady supply of street wear to consider).
If you’re interested in selling your vintage with Recycled Boutique, you can book a drop off with at least five pieces of clothing to be assessed for sale – it must be in great condition, freshly laundered and match the current season. If your clothing is accepted and sold you will receive 45% to 55% of the sale price, which can be redeemed as cash or store credit.
Best for: Casual wear and rare treasures.
Painted Bird
Stephanie King heads this gold mine of vintage clothing, providing plenty of detail and background for every piece collected. Largely, the seller focuses on European pieces from the 1940s to 1980s, but you’ll find the odd piece that was created before or after these eras. King also told Viva in 2024 that she looks for clothing with the “X factor. I love to save pieces through acquisition so the original owner or designer can be respected and relived again.” Though Painted Bird is an online platform, you can also visit a fitting room in Albany to try pieces you have an eye on.
Online platforms
These peer-to-peer platforms offer the opportunity to buy and sell directly from other consumers.
Did we miss a store or seller you frequent?
Email Viva@nzherald.co.nz with a picture of your favourite purchase and tell us why you love it.
More on vintage
From local treasures to international influences.