The Melbourne Cup is here and we all know what that means – it’s time to let loose in Australia’s shopping capital. Chanel Gallen has done all the track work and found the top 10 places to shop during the carnival. Go forth and spend…

Brunswick for unique

Brunswick Street is a colourful mix of boutique stores, young up-coming designers, unique jewellery and recycled fashion. It can be a bit hit and miss, but it’s a great place to find one-of-kind pieces. Many of the cafes serve breakfast all day, so it doesn’t matter what time you start your expedition.

Designs on Chapel Street

Scanalan and Theodore, Sass & Bide, Alice McCall, Shakuhachi; designer hub www.chapelstreet.com.au houses them all. Cross over to Toorak Road to find handmade designs, quirky accessories and delicious leather goods.

530 reasons to shop at Chadstone

Shoes, frocks, clutch purses; it’s all under one roof at Chadstone Shopping Centre; 530 stores to browse, all bustling with spring offers. Try David Jones for on-trend fascinators and hats. You also go in a draw to win a trip to New Yorkif you spend more than $350 at selected stores till the end of October.

Collins on top (end)

If your Melbourne Cup budget has no cap, try Collins Street for top end designers like Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. If you find the designs in your head are much more in vogue, why not pop into Adriano Carbone to collaborate on an outfit or perhaps take his advice on a tailor-made suit.

AJE – not just for celebrity

Sparkle and sequins are so hot right now and Fashion label AJE does them well. Its outfits are flying off the rack to celebrities like Jessica Mauboy, Jennifer Hawkins and Carissa Walford. Lacquer Boutique stocks its latest season stock in Melbourne.

Factory finds

Nothing screams bang for buck like DFO so head to South Wharf’s Direct Factory Outlets to start hunting. Bargained out? Take a short stroll to South Wharf Promenade for a well-deserved long lunch while you admire your purchases. Here you’ll find a delicious blend of food and beverage venues set in restored cargo sheds next to the Yarra River.

Low-Bridge clearance

Well-known brands Alannah Hill, Country Road and Claudia have their warehouses along Bridge Road where you can pick up clothing and accessories at clearance prices.

Shoez frenzy


Shoez, OMG Shoez. If it’s shoes you want then Zomp on Little Collins Street is for you. Roberto Del Carlo has squealishly cute wedges, sensible attire for the grassy race venue. Wedges and flats by 2 Baia Vista are a more affordable option and they even have a selection of colourful handbags to match. Drool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HjIljJd-o0 

The Queen of fascinators

Queen Vic Markets is a stylish inner-city hub, running since 1878. Head to pop-up store Colour in Spring (only open Saturday and Sunday) for bright beautiful fascinators. For the guys, Hascglo has a great range of stylin’ fedoras and flat caps.

Tour de shop

For fuss-free shopping, why not book into a shopping tour? Melbourne Shopping Experiences offers a Bargains & Bubbles Tour covering back-street warehouses, pop-up sales and outlets with a glass of the good stuff. Private tours allow you to design the itinerary whilst guided by local knowledge.