The best places in Adelaide to thrift
UPDATED: here’s where you can find the coolest items to jazz up your autumn wardrobe.
Jump to read about places:
In the city
My Dead Grandpa ($$–$$$)
10–16 Ranelagh Street, Adelaide
New to the CBD is My Dead Grandpa – a huge collective comprised of nearly 50 unique vintage sellers.
Featuring a vast array of clothing, furniture, vinyl and so much more, My Dead Grandpa transformed a Ranelagh Street carpark to create a first-of-its-kind vintage hub in Adelaide, giving the Melbourne vintage scene a run for its money.
Fit with a coffee van, the MDG founders understood the assignment, knowing that the hunt for the perfect vintage piece is often made easier by caffeine.
With heavily curated selections, the store’s price point is higher than that of an op-shop but with this, the standard of quality is notably top-tier.
Goodbyes ($$–$$$)
206 Rundle Street, Adelaide
This picture: supplied
Goodbyes stores have been popping up all over Australia since 2015, and the sustainable shop made itself at home in Rundle Street in 2023. With a strong focus on recycling and sustainability, Goodbyes provides a unique ‘resale service and second-hand shopping experience’. Customers can sell selected items in-store on consignment as well as shop the collection, cultivating a cyclical approach to fashion.
XChange Market ($$–$$$)
1 Holland Street, Adelaide
This picture: supplied.
Making the move from Stepney to the Market Shed on Holland, the XChange Market is a regular fixture hosting an array of second-hand sellers and small business stalls with a particular focus on vintage and streetwear.
Hosted (almost) monthly on Sundays, the event features 40+ vendors, including food and coffee stalls, allowing customers to make a day of shopping and supporting local vendors.
XChange does charge an entry fee, which will set you back $10 for early bird access, with prices varying throughout the day.
Outside of the city
Savers ($)
254 Richmond Road, Marleston
Shop 4/252 Churchill Road, Prospect
33-3/1020 North East Road, Modbury
The latest SA Savers to open on Richmond Road Savers is the state’s biggest.
Savers stores offer a warehouse-style thrifting experience, reminiscent of what we see on social media from the USA. Savers has recently opened a new shopfront in Marleston, bringing the total to three massive stores across Adelaide.
If you plan on visiting a Savers Superstore, we recommend blocking out a few hours and coming prepared with a drink and a snack to keep you fuelled on the hunt for your next secondhand treasure.
Kidman Park Op-Shop Precinct ($-$$)
3/320 – 326 Grange Rd, Kidman Park SA 5025
The Kidman Park Op-Shop Precinct is a renowned haven for Adelaide’s most avid thrifters.
Located on Grange Road, the area features five traditional op-shops, two curated vintage stores and a preloved rack rental, all within walking distance of each other.
For experienced thrift shoppers who aren’t afraid to dig for some bargain finds, the Red Cross, Vinnies, RSPCA, Save The Children and Salvos stores will provide a classic op-shopping experience with affordable prices.
For others who want to shop the latest trends without the brand-new price tag, Rent That Rack is a one-stop shop. Clients rent their own rack to sell their “too good to donate” pieces at a fraction of the original price. For both casual shoppers and rack renters, this model is a win-win for everyone involved.
Shoppers with an appreciation for vintage can b-line to the two vintage retailers: Sustainable Clothing Co and Dulcies.
Sustainable Clothing Co has recently moved from the city to the Kidman Park precinct offering a wide range of curated vintage and sustainable fashion items. Owner Laura is also a regular face at markets across Adelaide.
Dulcie’s flagship store is on Grange Road, with a second location in the Adelaide Arcade.
Dulcie’s is known as vintage royalty around town, with founder Amanda Blair beginning the not-for-profit venture 12 years ago, selling her vintage collection out of a refurbished bus in the Garden of Unearthly Delights. Now, the Dulcie’s empire has two brick-and-mortar stores in both Kidman Park and Adelaide Arcade as well as making appearances with the bus at local markets. With prices at the Kidman Park store ranging from $15-$70, Dulcie’s remains one of the most affordable vintage retailers in Adelaide.
The Parade Norwood ($-$$$)
Subscribe for updates
Finding multiple op-shops within walking distance is a cheat code for a successful thrift trip.
The Parade in Norwood is an unexpected hotspot for second-hand shopping featuring five charity op-shops: Save the Children, Elcies, Vinnies, RSPCA and Salvos not far away on George Street.
Monday Market also resides on the Parade, featuring the familiar rent-a-rack model with in-season pieces for affordable prices.
Finally, A Star Is Worn, located at 45 The Parade, offers a highly curated range of vintage fashion and retro nostalgia.
Mekko Market ($$)
89 Prospect Road, Prospect
Another store following the rent-a-rack idea, but with a twist: it’s also a café. Entering the store, you are welcomed by a cute café selling delicious food and coffee… but make your way to the back, right corner and you will find a separate area filled with clothes. Anyone can rent a rack here and the seller can choose their prices, so more often than not, you can snag a pretty good deal. Why not make a day of it and invite a friend out for a coffee catch-up, then go shopping straight after.
Prelove ($$)
388 Brighten Road, Hove
Shop 178, level 2, Westfield, West Lakes
297 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park
Inside the Hove Prelove store. This picture: supplied
The ever-popular rent-a-rack model is becoming a favourite shopping method for those who are on a budget and prefer current-season items in near-new condition. Prelove dominate the rack rental scene in Adelaide with three stores around town which are always stocked full of quality second-hand pieces at affordable price points.
2nd Chance Collective ($$$)
Shop 1/262A Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton
This picture: supplied
If you are on the hunt for a pair of jorts and a tee for an upcoming festival, 2nd Chance Collective has you covered. Owner Harvey curates all the best streetwear with an endless selection of vintage graphic t-shirts, sweatshirts and so much more. On your way out, be sure to snap a pic with your fresh finds in front of the shop’s graffiti murals to show off just how cool it is to shop vintage.
Market Regulars: Spotlight
Local markets are a hub for second-hand sellers, but what happens on days when markets aren’t on? Some market regulars have online marketplaces where you can shop their stock 24/7.
No Scrubs
Ellie from No Scrubs Vintage utilises social media when markets aren’t running. Often selling stock via Instagram posts and stories, Ellie provides an intentional and expertly curated collection of the best vintage fashion.
Aus Rack Vintage
Aus Rack Vintage specialises in early 2000’s / y2k fashion. Selling on online marketplace Depop, ARV teleports you back in time to the era of scantily clad, pop star wannabe divas, with all the low-rise jeans and crop tops you could ever need.
Thrifted by Afnon
Thrifted By Afnon is another regular marketgoer that resides on Depop. Dishing up high-quality vintage pieces spanning various decades, Afnon is a seller to keep an eye out for both in-person and online.