When it comes to fashion, Brisbane marches to the beat of its own subtropical drum. But there is a distinctive style in the sun-baked capital — more relaxed than Sydney glitz, more colourful than Melbourne monochrome — that’s blooming. So if you’re a lover of clothes, accessories and shopping, here’s how to get your fix this spring.

Dogstar

Dogstar is the brainchild of Masayo Yasuki, a business-savvy fashion visionary with boutiques all over Queensland including a flagship store in Burke Street, Woolloongabba. Yasuki favours loose but carefully structured garments, including asymmetrical folds and twists, deep pockets and swinging hems. Her range combines block colours with subtle Japanese prints, for people who like to look interesting without hollering for attention.

Brisbane Arcade

A must-stop for lovers of luxe, Brisbane Arcade in the CBD is home to hard-to-find or exclusive labels including Colette Hayman, House of Dower and Maiocchi. You’ll find the flagship Tengdahl Australia store here, showcasing work by Brisbane designer and one-time Project Runway contestant Julie Tengdahl, and all the gold your heart can handle. There are around 20 jewellery boutiques in this historic arcade, with on-site workshops for bespoke services and romantic antique collections to peruse. When you’re done drooling, there’s a lovely tearoom to visit that does a proper three-tier high tea. Très fancy.

Biome

Biome is a homegrown beauty product manufacturer with a focus on natural, sustainable wares. Their range includes make-up and lush body products, from soap to body butter to beard oil, all guaranteed to be as effective or better than their chemical-laced alternatives. Visit the flagship Brisbane City store to explore the best the natural beauty world has to offer, including products that are organic, vegan and palm oil-free. Biome is all about feeling good, and feeling good about it.

Optiko

For the coolest fashion-forward specs, visit Optiko in Tattersall’s Arcade, a local eyewear emporium spanning new and vintage styles. In its swanky, award-winning boutique, Optiko stocks cult labels including Nicola, Cutler & Gross, Oscar Magnusson, Cazal, Thom Browne, plus house label Buffalo Horn and vintage pieces from the 50s to the 80s. If you want glasses that stand out in a crowd, this is where you’ll find them.

Discover Nico basics

Nico is a gem of the Brisbane fashion scene, a must-do online fashion stop as the weather starts getting warmer. Made from pure cotton, bamboo and other sustainable fabrics, Nico’s range of underwear, bodysuits and monochrome basics is hip, breezy and beautiful.

Full briefs and spaghetti straps abound, along with loose-fitting and slouchy tees, perfect for the minimalist style hound with a nose for quality.

Violent Green

A go-to for the style set, this homegrown boutique offers directional Australian and international labels. Drop by their Albert Street store to discover pieces from cult-favourite labels including P.A.M., Karen Walker, Deadly Ponies and Saturdays Surf NYC. With both menswear and womenswear, Violent Green also offers browsers the chance to discover emerging designers before they hit the big time.

Tengdahl 

One of Brisbane’s biggest fashion success stories, Julie Tengdahl has made a name for herself with impeccable craftsmanship, with her line of classic pieces all made locally. A champion of the slow fashion movement, Tengdahl collaborates with artists around the globe to source sustainable fabrics, which are then transformed in a local atelier into pieces such as summer-perfect broderie anglaise dresses, vibrantly printed separates and floaty chiffon maxi dresses. Best of all? All pieces are made with the humid Brisbane weather in mind.

(Lead image: Brisbane Arcade/Facebook)

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There’s plenty to do and see this spring in Brisbane City. Find out more here.