Some items are worth buying in person. Jewellery is one; the fit and weight of pieces isn’t something you can easily tell online. Furniture is another, especially for artisanal, handmade objects. If fabric is of high importance when choosing clothing, being able to physically feel pieces can be enough to seal the deal. With that in mind, here are some of the best store openings to hit Sydney this autumn. 

Love Isabelle, Manly

Sydney jeweller Isabelle Sidd has opened a flagship boutique in Manly, a hop, skip and a jump away from Queenscliff beach. Designed in collaboration with Sydney interior design studio Coffey Hallett, the new Love Isabelle space is decadent, moody and suffused with vintage Italian features. Pieces have been sourced by the designers and Sidd from eBay Italy and local marketplaces. Come for the jewels, stay for the striking jewellery bar that sits as the store’s centrepiece. Shop 4, 199/205 Pittwater Road, Manly.

Jac & Jack, Mosman

Jac & Jack has finally ventured to Sydney’s north shore. It’s an extension that’s worth celebrating; it’s the first time in the local fashion label’s 22-year history that it has opened a store across the bridge. “We’ve built a loyal community in and around Mosman over the years, so it feels like a natural next step for us – and one we’re looking forward to growing,” co-founder Jacqueline Hunt says. The street-facing location has a striped awning cover and sits on a leafy strip, inviting passers-by to drop in and experience Jac & Jack’s approach to considered menswear and womenswear. 647 Military Road, Mosman.

The End, Paddington

Furniture that doubles as an art piece is The End’s modus operandi. As founder James Maroun says, “My philosophy is about enriching lives through the spaces we create”. Its globally inspired homeware and furniture collections are deliberately imperfect; each piece has been worked by hand, meaning each is unique. The End has now opened its new flagship boutique on William Street, the first permanent store for the brand. Designed in collaboration with Shona McElroy of Smac Studio, the store has been intentionally laid out to mimic a gallery space. 86 William Street, Paddington.

Nature Baby, Balmain

New Zealand childrenswear label Nature Baby has been welcomed into Balmain. Its new community-focused store is not a traditional retail space, but includes a communal kitchen, feeding and changing areas and an outdoor garden. Here, the 28-year-old environmentally minded label wants to encourage visitors to not only browse its selection of baby apparel and accessories, but also spend time in the space. “As Nature Baby continues to expand across Australia, the ambition is not just scale, but depth. Deeper relationships with families, deeper accountability to values, and deeper care for the communities and environments it is part of,” CEO and founder Jacob Faull says. 265 Darling Street, Balmain.

Tod’s, CBD

Italian luxury fashion brand Tod’s has reopened its Westfield CBD location. The heritage brand is best known for its iconic loafers, sneakers and handbags. The recently unveiled renovation sees Tod’s leaning heavily into its European roots. Wooden fixtures, travertine marble and plush carpet warm the 130-square-metre premise. Shop a selection of the label’s spring/summer ready-to-wear apparel, as well as its large range of accessories. Shop 4040, Level 4 Westfield Sydney, 188 Pitt Street, Sydney.

LMND, Double Bay

LMND does shirting like no one else. The local fashion label founded by Australian-Colombian designer Ana Escobar has gained quite a reputation for its bright, eye-catching button-up shirts. The nine-year-old label has always been a believer in retail – it opened up its first bricks-and-mortar store before building out its online shop. Its new Double Bay store complements the original Bondi Beach premises and builds upon its look; splashes of butter yellow and panoramic windows invite a lightness into the space. Suite 2, 22 Knox Street, Double Bay.