I remember one time I was rummaging through my grandmother’s attic. I had my phone in one hand, scrolling through endless feeds of influencer fashion inspirations and a pile of dusty coats in the other.

Right when I was about to give up hope of finding anything remotely Instagram-worthy, I came across a vintage Chanel blazer. Yes, a Chanel blazer! 

This ignited my love for vintage clothing and sent me on countless searches for unique, chic, and history-rich pieces. So, if you’re a novice thrifter or a fan of vintage items, here’s who made it onto my list of the best vintage stores in Christchurch.

How much does clothing cost at vintage stores in Christchurch, NZ?

In most vintage stores in Christchurch, NZ, you can expect to pay at least 10 NZD for a basic blouse or skirt. Designer pieces or rare vintage dresses, though, can cost 50 NZD or more, depending on the vintage store you shop at, the quality, and the rarity of the piece.

How I Chose

Curation and Quality: Each store in my list offers an incredibly curated selection of high-quality vintage items. From rare finds to meticulously preserved classics, these stores stood out for their commitment to excellence.

Customer Experience: The stores I chose prioritise customer satisfaction, providing helpful and knowledgeable staff who make your shopping experience enjoyable and worthwhile.

Unique Collections: I chose stores with unique, hard-to-find items, ensuring every visit feels like an adventure where you might stumble upon a hidden gem.

Stylish Ambience: I handpicked shops with welcoming, fashionable layouts and meticulous organisation, ensuring a delightful and seamless shopping experience.

1. Booteek

The variety of items in Booteek is impressive. You can find elegant pieces similar to what movie stars like Audrey Hepburn used to wear or fun and funky clothes from the 1970s.

The store’s collection is a great mix, allowing you to add unique touches to your everyday style. Every visit, I find something exciting and new to consider buying.

Many other shoppers agree that Booteek’s clothing and accessories are of excellent quality. The store’s team cares deeply for their selection. Clothes look well-chosen, clean, and ready to wear—a big plus, as there are no unpleasant smells or stains.

And the staff at Booteek are ready to help you put together the perfect outfit for any event. It’s like having a personal fashion advisor without paying extra.

However, the store closes at 3 or 4 PM, which I think is too early for those who work during the day. 

Also, as much as the clothes are beautiful, they can be expensive. A few shoppers I spoke to joked about the prices being so high that they considered selling a kidney to add a few vintage finds to their collection.

Customer Reviews

Matched me up with a shirt too to make an outfit. 

“Popped in for a look. Tried some jeans and bought some awesome flare jeans.   Sorry I didn’t get the lady’s name but she was so lovely, friendly and helpful,   Matched me up with a shirt too to make an outfit.   Honest appraisal about how things looked on me.   Highly recommend .” 

• Elaine Middlewood Google Review  

You can always count to find some great, diverse outfits

“LOVE THIS PLACE! Joshua, the owner, is a friendly, kind and easy going guy that makes you feel at ease while trying these iconic pieces on. You can always count to find some great, diverse outfits (in a wide variety of styles) here and I really appreciate how everything is under $50. The clothes turnaround is very quick and the fanbase is strong, so it’s worth checking out their instagram account (and turning notifications on) then heading over there quickly after a drop.” 

• Federico Corradi Google Review 

2. Menage A Trois

Menage A Trois is perfect for people who love old and unique items. 

In here, you may find extraordinary designer dresses worth hundreds of dollars or cute little trinkets that catch your eye. You might also find a lamp from the 1970s or a jacket that takes you back to when people dressed in the Mod style.

During one of my visits, I unearthed an exquisite 1950s handbag tucked away under a cascade of silk scarves. The bag’s leather was supple and rich, making it a captivating find for any vintage enthusiast.

Although I adore searching through different items, some may feel overwhelmed by the need to search through so much.

I also must admit that not all my visits have been equally thrilling. Sometimes the store collection seems limited, making me feel like someone else might have taken all the good items before I arrived.

Customer Reviews

Fabulous shop, the array of vintage dresses, coats, and jewellery is outstanding

“Fabulous shop, the array of vintage dresses, coats, jewellery is outstanding and the layout impressive. Submerge yourself for a long stay, taking everything in, from the wonderful displays, lovely lighting, and different eras of clothing. The owner was very helpful and she dressed wonderfully, with great eye, with all the small details that make a shop like this truly worthwhile, from the clothing tags to the wrapping packages when purchasing something, all well thought through.”

• Ng Google Review  ‘

Gorgeous collection of items 

“LOVED this little store. LOVE the muslin I picked up for a very reasonable price. The lady was so friendly and just an interesting person. I will definitely be back when I am next in the area. Gorgeous collection of items from a long time ago and a little time ago! Popped in for a two-minute look – spent about 45 mins there. Had to go out and lock the car.”

• Kelsi Adams Google Review 

3. Seaside Vintage New Brighton

Unlike expensive boutiques where vintage seems synonymous with luxury, Seaside Vintage offers delightful pieces without breaking the bank.

The atmosphere at Seaside Vintage is infectiously joyful and eclectic. The store is a riot of colours and patterns, with racks and shelves adorned with playful dresses and accessories plucked from the pages of history.

The friendly and approachable staff are ready to help you find the perfect fit or share a story behind a piece without hovering—offering advice only when you seek it.

One downside to Seaside Vintage, however, is its location. It might be easy to miss if you aren’t specifically looking for it. When I first visited, I wandered around for ten minutes before finally spotting the store sign.

Furthermore, the store’s organisation is somewhat haphazard. During one visit, I nearly tripped over a pile of abandoned shoes in the middle of an aisle.

Customer Reviews

They do their best to keep prices low

“My favourite vintage shop in Christchurch. A welcoming atmosphere full of vintage and retro goodies. Dee and Kim are both lovely and I appreciate that they do their best to keep prices low. I always leave with a few treasures.”

• Kathy Ryder Google Review 

Lots of different, goodies to check out

“Such a cool little shop, so glad I stumbled across this while at the market on Saturday! Lots of different, goodies to check out 🙂 Friendly staff.”

• Skye Taylor Google Review

4. Last Vintage

Last Vintage has clothes from different eras, such as 1950s dresses or 1980s T-shirts. If you enjoy looking for unique clothes, this is the place for you.

The shop owner is friendly and knows a lot about vintage clothing. He’s thrilled to help you find a priceless piece of clothing or to talk about the history of whatever catches your eye.

In my case, I found a beautiful 1920s dress and some unique 1970s jewellery. The fabric felt luxurious and soft. The intricate beadwork and delicate lace detailing also made it look like something out of a classic movie scene. 

And oh, the jewellery! The pieces I picked up from the 1970s were unlike anything I’ve seen before. There was this chunky, statement necklace with a quirky, retro vibe and a pair of bold, geometric earrings that screamed individuality.

I paid a reasonable amount, but depending on what you find, you might deal with high price tags. Plus, the store can get too busy—I nearly tipped over a display trying to move around other shoppers.

Customer Reviews

Easily the best selection in town

“Found this vintage clothes shop in town near the riverside market, and so stoked i did! Easily the best selection in town, staff are super friendly and the shop is nice and chill. Prices were affordable and reasonable and the clothing was in really good condition.”

• Stephen Williamson Google Review

There is a good range of clothing and it appears to draw people of all ages

“I have now purchased a shirt and a T-shirt from Last Vintage. There is a good range of clothing and it appears to draw people of all ages. Good clean vintage clothes. I would recommend.”

• Alan Kerr Google Review

5. Curb Vintage

Every time I go to Curb Vintage, I find something to add to my collection of vintage items. 

At one of my recent visits, I unearthed a delicate 1940s tea dress, its floral patterns still vibrant, and a chunky 1980s leather belt that added a perfect vintage touch to my modern outfits.

Each corner promises a discovery—a pair of mint-condition 1950s cat-eye sunglasses or a well-preserved 1970s vinyl. And let’s not forget the accessories. Think vintage brooches and quirky hats.

The ambience of the store is whimsical and nostalgic, almost like stepping into a time machine curated with love and an eye for style. It’s well-lit and clean, making it easy to admire every stitch and sequin.

One thing that I didn’t like about Curb Vintage, though, was the occasional inconsistency in the quality of their items. While most of their pieces were impeccable, I did come across a few with minor flaws that had been overlooked, like a missing button or a small tear. 

This wasn’t a deal-breaker, but it did mean having to double-check each item more thoroughly than I would have liked.

Customer Reviews

Some of the best collection of vintage clothing I’ve seen

“Some of the best collections of vintage clothing I’ve seen in NZ. A great vibe in the shop and had a good conversation with the owner!” 

• Howie Gaudin, Google Review 

Grabbed many steals from here and many top-end pieces 

“Best vintage store I have ever had a pleasure of visiting . Always popping in once or twice a week , wonderfully curated stock – miles above the rest of what’s to offer in Christchurch, let alone New Zealand. Grabbed many steals from here and many top end pieces .  Awesome little store!”

• Reubin Caldwell Google Review 

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