Mr Vintage

Mr Vintage is one of my go-​to shops when taking overseas travellers around New Zealand. It’s the perfect place for your buddy from the States or the UK to head to when looking for souvenirs that are contemporary, funny and show off New Zealand’s innate sense of self-​deprecating humour. Over the summer I took a number of American friends to this store, and there, they got to bask in all of the Kiwi-​isms they’d heard during their stay. Everything from the nauseating «Nek Minnit» and «Ghost Chips» slogans to the more iconic sayings like «Sweet As» and «Choice» are covered, providing everyone with a few giggles as they peruse the racks. Some of the prints in-​store are geared towards New Zealand nostalgia — the goodnight kiwi, the two-​cent piece and «longest drink in town» milkshakes are all immortalised on t-​shirts (and in the case of the milkshakes, in plastic reusable cups). If you’re off on your OE, stop by Mr Vintage first and pick up a swag bag of shirts with variations of the New Zealand map on them — they’ll be something to signal where you’re from once you inevitably lose your accent.

I like trendy t-​shirts and though I am not from New Zealand, I like the ones with a Kiwi twist. However, I think this is a shop more for Kiwis as I think a lot of the slogans on the t-​shirts would go over the heads of anybody not familiar with New Zealand. Perhaps that is what they are aiming for as the shops location is a little off the beaten track (from the centre of the city that is). I do know the reference to ‘nek minute’ but I don’t think I’d particularly like to wear it on a t shirt and reference-​check a moron who can’t speak properly! Having said that there are some nice colourful designs to choose from and a big selection. I think if a tourist went to this shop they would probably like some of the designs but most of the references would baffle them. One for all the Kiwis out there who like a bit of nostalgia.

I have found a surprising number of good reasons to visit this t-​shirt store. Huge selection of shirts with old nostalgic imagery, witty Kiwiana slogans, and just silly jokey t-​shirts. Be careful though, a couple of visits and all of a sudden your clothes drawer is filled with all these humorous t-​shirts and you become the guy who always wears a different funny t-​shirt. Great gift idea, perfect if you want to give someone something casual but at the same time not crappy, get them a funny t-​shirt, but be careful not to buy a them a size too small, you might make them feel fat.

Mr Vintage is classic kiwi humor and culture at its arty best– presented in the form of up to the minute t shirt designs.
I do have a number of cool tees and singlets myself, and love how original each piece is, I have yet to walk down the street and see a mirror image of mine yet, although I know they are out there!
Not only does Mr Vintage sell eye catching t shirts for adults, there are a few kids tees too! My son rocks the Ma is White Infant design and really how adorable are our kiwi kids in real kiwi designed clothes! The best.
Mr Vintage is a super neat store if your looking for that slightly creative cool gift, if your not after clothing, they also have a great choice of other items; really vibrant cushions, crazy bright clocks, and four square Warhol coffee cup’s to name some stand outs.
Always on top of the game with the latest saying, they are just O for awesome!

You ask any Kiwi if they’ve heard of Mr Vintage, and I guarantee you 75% of the time, ALL of them will know about them.
They’re primarily all about t-​shirts, men’s, women’s, kid’s, but have branched out as the years go on, hoodies and singlets to baby onesies, cushions and jewellery, all with a distinctly kiwi twist.
The best thing I love about them is the identity they put into everything they do, it’s always uniquely kiwi, and always damn funny!