[Updated: 10 March, 2010]
Have compiled a list of overseas (mainly UK/US) online retailers that ship to Australia. Over the years there have been many more retailers willing to ship internationally and though there are many more, I’m only adding the bigger sites (ie, no blog boutiques etc.)
Most UK sites offer flat rate delivery while most US sites varies their shipping fees according to weight/value. Listings with (*) denotes a website that uses a third-party shipping service which might cost more to use.
This is not a paid list and is provided as a reference only. I accept no responsibility for any personal losses or injury (haha) incurred as a result of shopping at any of these sites.
The big guys
Marks & Spencer
JC Penney
(With exception of some national brands, supplier shipped items, packages above 70lbs)
Overstock
Neiman Marcus
(Currently website only supports Canada but you may have your purchase shipped to an international address by calling +1.972.556.6011)
Saks Fifth Avenue
Fashion / Apparel
80s Purple
Abercrombie & Fitch
Acne
Amelie Boutique
Anya Hindmarch
American Eagle Outfitters
Asos
Basic Boutique* (uses International Checkout)
Baumhouse
Bebe
Bluefly
Brooks Brothers
Browns
Couture Candy
Dresses by Odette Christiane
eBags* (uses Access USA/Borderlinx)
eDressMe* (uses iShopUSA)
eModa
Evisu
Forever 21
Forzieri
Free People
French Corner Soho* (uses International Checkout)
Gotham City Online
Habitat Shoes
Hale Bob
JT & Co
Karmaloop
Kitson
Little London
Marais USA
Matches
Miss Selfridge
MJR Sales
My Theresa
My Wardrobe
Neiman Marcus
(Currently website only supports Canada but you may have your purchase shipped to an international address by calling +1.972.556.6011)
Net-A-Porter
Newport News* (uses Access USA)
Nordstrom* (uses FiftyOne)
Oak NYC
Olsen Haus (Vegan)
Phat Farm
Pinup Girl CLothing
Revolve Clothing (free international shipping for orders above $100)
Saks Fifth Avenue
Shape FX* (uses Access USA)
Shopbop (free international shipping for orders above $100 & returns)
Shop LA Style
Spiegel* (uses Access USA)
Ssense
Start London
Steve Madden
Style Paste (free international shipping via Fedex Express for orders above €100)
Tee-Zone
The Outnet
Tobi
TOMS
Topshop
Urban Outfitters (needs sign-up, info here)
Urban Venom
Vegan Chic (Vegan)
Yoox
Lingerie
Agent Provocateur
Be Cheeky
Boudiche
Dolce V
Figleaves
Frederick’s of Hollywood* (uses iShopUSA)
Glamourous Amorous
Henry & June
Silk Storm
Victoria’s Secret
Swimwear
Micro Kitten
Victoria’s Secret
Tees / Casual
2K T-Shirts
Donkey Ts
J!NX
Stylin Online
Tee-Zone
Threadless
Karmaloop
Zazzle
Plus
Alight.com
B & Lu
IGIGI b Yuliya Raquel
Kiyonna
Torrid
Cosmetics & Fragrances
Benefit
StrawberryNET (free worldwide shipping)
Skinstore
Sasa
FragranceNET
Just a note on buying fragrances online: There are many retailers that flog fake stuff so be careful of who you buy from. I use this site exclusively. Spending some time looking through specialty fragrance/scent forums will usually unearth dodgy sites.
Some shipping restrictions from U.S. Department of Transportation (ie, no aerosols) or manufacturer (most likely different ‘branding’ for different regions) apply.
Books
Alibris
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Better World Books
Books-A-Million
Book Depository UK (free worldwide shipping)
Book Depository US (free worldwide shipping)
This is a great Aussie resource for buying books online where you can compare prices + shipping from local and international websites: Booko. It also shows you the other sites that ships books down under :) Thanks for the links, Lynn!
Asian fashion
Asia Jam
Mozmol
Yes Style
Misc
Adorama
Buy Costumes
Costume Craze
DeviantART
Etsy
Little Paper Planes
Moo
Novica
Optics Planet
ShaShinKi
Think Geek
US mail forwarding services
MyUS
BongoUS
Some online shopping tips
When buying designer brands (handbags in particular) remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Make use of authentication forums like The Purse Forum before handing over your money or you will most likely not get it back. TPF will also help you authenticate eBay listings. 9 out of 10 eBay handbags are replica/fakes so keep that in mind and stick with reputable sellers. Some sites have been known to use images of the real product and ship a replica. Also, these days even designer shoes (ie Louboutin, Blahniks) are copied. TPF has a special shoe section on the forums.
When possible use Paypal instead of a credit card. You can link your credit cards to Paypal, and it is also a good idea to have a low-limit credit card specifically for online usage.
Unless you have shopped there before or know someone who has, Google all websites as a precaution. Some times even running a seller’s eBay name through a search engine may produce interesting results.
As a general rule, be wary of items shipped from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Turkey. Many counterfeit items are produced there. Though, having said that, there are a number of sellers from these countries that sell authentic items. It just takes a little patience and time to look for them.
Will continue to update this list and stick it on the sidebar. Please leave a comment if you know of any cool sites that I’ve missed out.. am sure there are plenty :)
Happy shopping! x
Some pictures from today’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2010 Fair Day event at Victoria Park.
Just a little preview of what to expect on parade day I think! I recognise some cross dressers from last year, isn’t it nice to have such diversity here.
On Friday we made a date to drop by Zeta Bar at the Hilton Sydney. For summer they have a cryogenic sorbet and cocktail bar happening on the terrace where you can get cocktails in sorbet form, champagne ice blocks and nitro puffs. It’s always nice when something exciting happens in the bar scene here! I’ve always liked the drinks menu at Zeta, they have some pretty interesting things on their exhaustive list like this classic:
Raspberry mule
It was served ‘deconstructed’ on a platter with candied ginger. Yummy!
Smoked bacon manhattans
This is one of their infusion cocktails. Tastes a lot better than it sounds, but doesn’t it look delicious? The bacon flavour wasn’t overpowering and the strip of bacon was delicious to nibble on. I love bacon! This was the main reason I wanted to go to Zeta after reading a tweet about it..
They had something else called La Premiere and is meant to be a cocktail (ha) of popcorn flavours in a glass. Something to try the next visit I guess.
Nitro puffs
Inspired by Heston Blumenthal’s crazy take on nouveau gastronomy (read: molecular manipulation), this is meant to be a cocktail in a puff. It was dispensed from a canister like whipped cream and spooned into this bowl of liquid nitrogen until it freezes solid. When you put it in your mouth it disappears in a cloud of white smoke bursting from your nostrils.. only drawback is that the surface of your tongue where it hits will be numb for a fair while from the sub zero temperatures. Tasty!
We also had some of the sorbets, I picked a negroni one which was fairly strong tasting in sorbet form. Would have loved to try more but due to the nature of alcoholic beverages there is only so much one can imbibe :)
Yup, definitely a happy bunny despite the rainy Friday evening!
Rhythms
Fix St James
Museum Station
Some pictures off my iPhone this week; From top: How djembe rhythms are noted down (since it is primarily a listening instrument) though everyone does it differently; Black board at one of my fav restaurants in Sydney on my birthday night; An old sign at Mark Foy’s; At work, right now, working on issue 42 with some Peroni on hand.
Stephanie is currently in Sydney.
