Melanie Cavaye owns Madam Butterfly. We sent our reporters out to scour the best second-hand stores in the main cities and choose favourites. If you have other picks from around the country, let us know in the comments. Madam Butterfly, 477 Ferry Road, Monday-Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm, Sundays 11am-4.30pm. Michelle Harris, owner of Etcetera, Christchurch. From fine fabrics to strings of pink pearls and sparkly buckled shoes, Madam Butterfly rescues gorgeous things from an uncertain future.The boutique is a time capsule of all things feminine since the turn of the Century, absolutely stuffed full of fashion, jewellery, shoes, hats and handbags. Think satin elbow-length gloves, delicate embroidered purses and ornate antique hairbrushes. Vintage Wonderland, 179 Ferry Rd, Weekdays 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-4pm. Jo Pannett and Alastair Evans own Vintage Wonderland. This shop specialises in the truly unusual. It's not every day you spot a antique gramophone or a set of wood and leather crutches.
At Vintage Wonderland a surprise is around every corner, in every cubby hole and hanging from every beam.You could pick up an antique doll, a Kiwiana retro picnic set or some salvaged brass window sash catches. Ferry Antique Centre, 282 Ferry Rd, Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 11am-4pm. This is a collaboration of five dealers, and the result is a shop stuffed full. You'll find racks of walking sticks and ties, leather handbags, porcelain ducks and art deco-style dresses. Pick up a vintage Lloyd's tobacco tin or replenish your set of bone handle cutlery. It's nice to see so many personalities and styles in one space. There's a little something for everyone, and if they don't have it, they'll put feelers out in their network to see what they can rustle up. Retropolitan, 158 Fitzgerald Ave, Tuesday-Friday 11.30am-5pm, Saturday 11am-3pm Retropolitan - look out for the butterflies on the roof and all things deliciously, sometimes hideously, retro. It's like a museum of the period, showcasing everything from floral tupperware to furniture.
The shop is packed to bursting with retro gems. It has, by far, the largest menswear collection in town and can kit you out with walking shorts (paired with walking socks, of course), blazers, vests, ties, cravats and even a pair of genuine retro, rather revealing, mens swimming trunks. Shelves heave with wool blankets, multicoloured crochet throws and piles of the best crockery around. READ MORE: * Nelson's top spots to op shop * Are vintage lovers ruining op shops for those who need them? * Op shops are the new cool Diane Ramsay of Retropolitan in Christchurch. Etcetera, 194 Edgeware Rd, Weekdays 10am-4pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm Etcetera is a combination of vintage clothing and jewellery alongside slices of military history. Husband and wife have teamed up and combined their interests and specialities in one space. You'll find old medals, helmets, jackets and military photo albums, fur stoles and costume jewellery with beautiful women's vintage clothing. You can afford to step out in designer style at Tatty's.
Salvation Army Store, 652 Dominion Rd, BalmoralWe can't speak for all Sallies stores but the one in Balmoral certainly has it going on. From tiny little collectables - cutlery, crockery, jewellery, ornaments - to an impressive range of pre-loved furniture, once you've finally found a park on busy Dominion Road you may need a trailer to get your finds home. A small amount of clothing is on offer, but this store's more about home furnishings, practical pieces and decor. If you're a lover of old art, picture frames and 80s kitchenware then best you get yourself there. Tatty's, 159 Ponsonby Road & 47 High Street Who said you can't afford high-end fashion? An Auckland institution with two stores on Auckland's busiest shopping strips, Tatty's is the go-to for those seeking local and international designer pieces or fabulous vintage finds. The retail assistants are renowned for their friendliness, flair, and great advice, and are very selective of what makes it to coathanger status. Quality is paramount, so your newfound designer item could still look a million bucks, while costing you a smidgen of the retail price.
You can also shop via their social media. Sift through the shelves and find treasure, for just dollars at The Rainbow Opshop. The Rainbow Op Shop, 1288 New North Road, AvondaleThose who frequent Rainbow for threads and trinkets believe they find the best bargains here, and it's $1 rack attracts visitors like bees to honey. With good selection of mens and womens clothing, plenty for the kids, porcelain dolls, and house trinkets like vases, crockery and decor, you can deck out your house, bach or perhaps caravan for just dollars. Paper Bag Princess, 145 Karangahape Road (also stores in Wellington, Dunedin and Whangarei) A favourite along K Road, Paperbag Princess will set your vintage-hunting heart aflutter. Being one of the largest second-hand stores, PBP can be a little overwhelming at first. But dig a little deeper and you'll find clearly-marked sections for anything you're looking for, most of the time colour-blocked too. Whether you're after something casual, creative, vintage, corporate, elegant or - the best bit - kitsch, you'll find it here in droves.
The huge range also plays home to cheerful theatre costumes or dress-up attire. While not always the cheapest in price (compared to non-CBD opshops), their frequent 50% off and two-for-one deals make it pretty easy to bag a bargain. St Vincent de Paul, 43 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga It's been hailed, "the dopest of the dopest", but the general consensus is that when it comes to thrift stores this one's right up there. If you've got the time and patience to go through the endless racks there's some gems to be found. If you're a crockery addict then put this store on your list of places to visit as the variety is often massive and mesmerising. – Pamela McIntoshRecycle Boutique, 143 Vivian Street, Wellington Emporium Vintage Boutique, Wellington. Just off Cuba St, Recycle Boutique has long been on the must-visit Wellington shopping circuit. We've found birthday dresses, everyday staples, and even a killer leather skirt that gets comments to this day. It'll take a bit of sifting, but it's absolutely worth your time.
They work on consignment, and getting your clothes on the racks there can be a bit of a mission, but as a shopper this place is great. Emporium Vintage Boutiqe, 103b Cuba Street, WellingtonAn absolute winner. Staff here do regular buying trips in the United States, and it pays off. We rarely walk in without becoming obsessed with some sequined top, slinky dress or denim skirt. For the dudes, their collection of Western shirts is unparalleled, ranging from the high-key embroidered to those simple enough to wear to work. They've got an excellent selection of shoes and accessories, too. Thrift, 162 Cuba Street, Wellington These guys have only opened recently, but we found a lot to love when we popped in. Thrift is definitely on the higher end of things, but if you're looking for quality designer goodies, it's your spot. We saw Kate Sylvester, World and Karen Walker designs on their racks, and left before we ruined our financial lives. St Vincent de Paul, 109 Aro Street, Aro Valley, WellingtonNeighbourhood op shops live and die by their locations, and Aro Valley is a winner.