5 hip shops to check out in Sydney, from Chinatown Country Club to Sir’s Bondi flagship store (one of Miranda Kerr’s favourites), according to insiders

Sep 18 , 2024

Lucy Folk makes jewellery and resortwear, available at the label’s boutiques in Sydney, Melbourne and also online. Photo: @lucy_folk/Instagram

Chinatown Country Club is a fun take on the exclusivity of country clubs, while the recently opened boutique Maillot near the Central Station features a buzzy cafe with outdoor seating

Sydney’s shopping scene has been greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Oxford Street, in the trendy neighbourhood of Paddington, was once home to plenty of independent boutiques and multi-brand stores offering niche Australian labels and hard-to-find brands from Down Under and beyond. A recent stroll along the leafy street, however, revealed many empty storefronts and not much foot traffic.

A display at Chinatown Country Club, Sydney. Photo: @chinatowncountryclub/Instagram

In contrast, the retail havens in George Street, Pitt Street, Castlereagh Street and other thoroughfares in the Central Business District – dominated by Western luxury brands, high street shops, department stores like David Jones and Myer, and the Westfield mall – are much busier.

This doesn’t mean, however, that it’s all doom and gloom when it comes to fashion and beauty retail in the capital of New South Wales. Cool multi-brand boutiques such as Incu that offer a great mix of international labels are still going strong, as is Mecca, Australia’s answer to Sephora; in this beauty chain, you can find many home-grown skincare and make-up brands besides global ones such as Glossier and Byredo.

For something a little bit different, here are five stores that we discovered on a recent visit to Sydney thanks to tips from a few local insiders, including brand consultant and editor Zara Wong, the author of a popular newsletter on all things fashion.

1. Chinatown Country Club

Gourmet Coffee at Chinatown Country Club in Sydney. Photo: @chinatowncountryclub/Instagram

Located just behind the Queen Victoria Building, a 19th-century shopping arcade in the heart of Sydney, Chinatown Country Club is more than just a store. Featuring a cafe buzzing with hip locals, the retail concept is a fun take on the exclusivity of country clubs, but with the welcoming vibe of Chinatown. The store offers a selection of hard-to-find labels from around the world with an urban and street-inflected vibe.

222 Clarence Street

2. Maillot

A similar approach to retail is at the core of another recently opened boutique, Maillot, situated on a side street a short walk from Sydney’s Central Station. The shop-slash-gallery provides a well-curated selection of independent labels that champion creativity and craftsmanship. A buzzy cafe with outdoor seating is part of the store, which also sells beautiful design pieces.