Or when someone compliments what you’re wearing, and you can say with a wistful smile: “I bought this in Auckland. A charming little boutique, you’d love it. I can’t wait to go back.”
With Auckland the natural habitat for chic shops and designer labels, be sure to explore what this beguiling metropolis has to offer, whether you’re after art, electronics, jewellery, homeware or high street fashion.
Britomart
A one-stop shopping precinct, most high-flying local designers have stores in Britomart. From Karen Walker (fashion, eyewear, fragrances, jewellery), Zambesi, (tailored, striking garments for men and women) Kate Sylvester (intelligent elegance) and Huffer (streetwear, fashion meets function). And don’t forget Trelise Cooper, a designer so embedded in New Zealand’s fashion firmament, she’s been made a Dame. Or snap up international brands with Tiffany & Co and Jo Malone representing the wider world of retail.
Ponsonby
Over the years, this once unpretentious suburb has been infused with a major dose of hipness, with designers and fashion icons selling their wares among the restaurants, bars and cafes. Local boutiques feature fabulous clothes and accessories by leading designers. Modern furniture, gift shops and interior outlets tempt with their alluring window displays. Superette has something of a cult following among the cool kids. Catering to men, women and children, think calm yet groovy with sass & bide, Stolen Girlfriends Club and Deadly Ponies all represented. Lingerie from Lonely has a mesmerising quality, with underwear, swimwear and sleepwear for all body shapes. And at A Little Shop, pick up pretty dresses at affordable prices.
Queen St and High St
Lower Queen Street, in the centre of the CBD, is home to a mix of high street stores and big brand names including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and Hugo Boss. Additional tasty designer fashion can be found on High Street and Chancery, where tired toes can rest for lunch in the sunny cobblestone plaza. Then pick yourself up to sashay through Smith and Caughey’s, an old-school department store that oozes class. Seek out Pauanesia while you’re down this way, a quintessential Antipodean design store selling everything from tea towels to works of art.
K’Rd
Quirky and full of character, here you’ll find designer fashion rubbing shoulders with vintage stores. All colour and noise, this street has a palpable pulse, as if Kings Cross had a kiwi cousin. Found among the boho groovers, St Kevin’s Arcade, a two-level art deco arcade, is an absolute treasure trove and here you’ll find vintage gear, corsets, records, books and fabulous food, and at Search and Destroy, you'll find a carefully curated selection of affordable used clothing.
And when you’ve finished shopping, eventually you have to, drag your bags to Milly’s Kitchen on Ponsonby Rd, pick up a pair of herb scissors or maybe some poultry shears, and cut your credit card in half.