Located just 2km west of Brisbane CBD, Paddington exudes a vintage feel with its streets filled with distinct indie boutiques and quaint antique shops. The area’s colloquial architecture lends a classic ambiance that makes vintage shopping a truly pleasurable experience.
Queenslander Homes
One of the things that you’ll notice when you’re walking or driving around town is the number of timber houses on stilts. These houses on stilts are a distinct feature of the Paddington neighbourhood. Due to the steep terrain of this suburb, houses were naturally built on stumps. Such houses can be seen all over the suburb because some residents decided to maintain such architecture that emphasizes Paddington’s profile. Tourists can have their photos taken in front of the famous Queenslander homes that have been around since the 1860s.
If retro is your thing, a visit to the Paddington Antique Centre should definitely be in your itinerary. This place is a haven for vintage clothing, shoes and even things for the home. Their selection of period clothing, gowns, frocks, and shoes will transport you back in time to a bygone era. Heirloom trinkets and vintage decor for the home are popular finds too. When you inevitably get tired from shopping, the Plaza Theatre Cafe serves a comforting cup of tea and a delectable assortment of pastries for the perfect pick-me-upper.
A pop of color along Given Terrace, Ra Ra Superstar’s pink alley lined with vintage and colourful clothes will definitely catch your attention. Stylist Kathy Szwedzinski is the mastermind behind this eclectic boutique. The idea started in 2005 when Kathy began selling her wares at several stalls in different markets and festivals. Later on, an old dental surgery office in Paddington came up for lease, and Kathy, who had already been planning to open her own store, snapped it up. Since then, the store has became Paddington’s go-to place for high-quality vintage clothing and accessories. Her pieces are definitely worthy of an Instagram flat lay. Or two. Or several.
Stepping inside Retro Metro will take you back to the roaring ‘20s. If you feel a definite affinity for the Flapper Era, or you’re looking for something to wear to a special occasion, or you just need a beaded bag, Retro Metro is the place to go. Check out their display of gadgets from the twentieth-century, quaint or unusual vintage finds such as old German pottery, fob watches, and martini glasses. You could spend hours in the store and feel like you haven’t seen enough.
If playing the vintage voyeur all day has made you tired and hungry, go on down to Hope & Anchor. Grab a bite at this traditional wooden building, which started as a bakery in 1888. Sit down in uber-comfy, deep leather booths. The dim pub lighting gives you a cosy and relaxing feeling the minute you sit down. Dig into their homemade fish fingers and enjoy other English pub classics to get your energy meter back up, for one last shopping hurrah. Or for the trip back home lugging the fruits of your (shopping) labor.
Paddington’s strong appeal lies in its streets filled with vintage fashion shops and indie boutiques, most of which are charmingly located in quaint cottages that lend a unique character and ambiance to one’s shopping experience. The suburb is known to be the home of artists, musicians, and aspiring writers. Paddington, with its mix of the old and the new, vintage and retro chic, truly lives up to its reputation as the “old soul” of West Brisbane.
Photo credit: Kgbo/Wikimedia Commons
