MINT CONDITION

If you’ve ever ridden a bus along Victoria Road near the city, you’ll no doubt have craned your neck to get an eyeful of Mint Condition’s divine window display. Like a scene from a 1950s Marilyn Monroe romance, mannequins stand poised in twirling A-line dresses hinting at the gorgeous vintage finds inside. This is your cue to jump off the bus at the very next stop, because you have to be quick to snap up the pieces here. Mint Condition’s high turnover means store owner Wendy Doughty replenishes the stock three times a week with vintage clothing sourced from New York and the US as well as locally. Beyond the shopfront you’ll find authentic pre-loved dresses from the ’50s to the ’80s along with sequinned tops, vintage handbags, sunglasses, shoes, hair clips, belts and costume jewellery including a collection of enamel flower brooches from the 1960s. Prices range from $25 up to $300, but you can find smaller pieces for under that, such as scarfs for $5. You’ll feel fabulously Monroe-esque walking out with a few buys from this boutique.