Frock Up Brisbane

One of Australia’s best loved vintage fashion fairs rolls into town this weekend, when Frock Up Brisbane takes over the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. 

This biannual event by The Way We Wear fairs will be held over three days, with the showground’s old community hall and thoroughly modern pavilion packed to the rafters with a splendid array of antique, vintage and retro treasures from the 20s to the 80s. 

Get the Great Gatsby look with a fabulous flapper dress, snap up a dreamy 1940’s tea dress, a swingin’ 60s mini or channel Dynasty’s Joan Collins with a padded-shoulder number.  You’ll find fashion, jewellery, shoes, millinery and more; including homewares from 1940 to 1980 like linen, lace and collectables.

Step back in time at Katie’s Sweetheart Vintage Cafe on the lower level of the historic Community Hall. Surrounded by wartime posters, shoppers can enjoy traditional English tea served in fine china teacups on tables set with crisp white cloths while perusing women’s magazines from bygone eras. Here’s the place to indulge in homemade goodies such as scones served with jam and cream, biscuits and sponge cakes or to partake in a dainty high tea.

Also not to be missed in the hall is ‘Sell the Wardrobe’, where local fashionistas (who are not dealers) display their own fashion wear and accessories to sell at bargain prices.

And don’t forget to wear your Sunday best for the final day of the fair when the winners of Best Dressed in Vintage - Ms or Mr Vintage Queensland is crowned, with prize money of $200. (No booking required). 

Need to know:  Tickets are valid for the entire weekend, to come and go as you please.  

By Deb Lidster

Frock Up Brisbane is a valued sponsor of Must Do Brisbane.com