There’s no better way to travel than to take time to shop for souvenirs, and what better to buy than vintage clothing? With each city you visit you’ll find a different selection of items on sale, each indicative of the country’s unique history, culture and fashion trends. From Stockholm to Barcelona, wander along the historic streets and stop off to shop till you drop.
Stockholm
Trust the stylish Swedes to have one of Europe’s most eclectic collections of vintage and second-hand clothing. In capital city Stockholm, take to the trendy streets of the Södermalm neighbourhood, and stop off at Lisa Larsson Second Hand to hunt for secret gems from iconic designers like Pierre Cardin. Male vintage fans are also in for a treat - head over to Herr Judit for memorable second-hand style - while the prices are fairly high for the items on sale here, you can be certain that everything is one of a kind, and that you’ll be able to pick out wardrobe basics like perfectly preserved denim shirts and leather jackets. The curation here is fantastic and there’s a noticeable emphasis on high quality garments.
Berlin
Hip and historic Berlin is filled with a bustling array of second-hand shops chock-a-block with rare and highly wearable pieces. If you’re into high end fashion, stop off at Das Neue Schwarz, where vintage items by avant garde designers like Martin Margiela and Raf Simons are available to be picked up. If you prefer your vintage with a touch of frivolity, then duck into Garments, filled with chic, colourful pieces which are lovingly hand-picked. After you’ve finished shopping, be sure to visit the flower-filled garden in their backyard - the perfect backdrop to the cheerful garments on sale.
Paris
Paris’ reputation as a second-hand shopping capital definitely precedes it, and you won’t be disappointed during a shopping trip here. Wander around the historic streets and make sure you stop off at treasure trove La Petite Fripe, where the bright red shopfront leads you fittingly to the piles of quirky vintage on sale. You’ll find sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts and retro telephones in every colour under the sun. For those looking to rent vintage pieces and twee garments from the 30s and 60s, make sure you visit Marnie while you’re in atmospheric neighbourhood La Pigalle. The stand out selling point of this store can be found below ground; they have an entire basement totally devoted to vintage shoes.
Antwerp
A hidden gem in the European vintage scene is quaint Belgian city Antwerp. It’s one of the best destinations for shoppers looking for a second-hand bargain, and you’ll be sure to find one at Jutha and Risha, one of the city’s most iconic vintage stores. You’ll find a wide selection of vintage clothing as well as customized pieces and new garments from young Belgian designers. For super cheap vintage with plenty of hidden treasures that you can get ready to rummage through, visit Think Twice, which has regular sales of their preloved goods - if you’re lucky, you may find fantastic pieces for only one euro each.
Krakow
Beautiful and still underrated Polish city Krakow is also the home of some vintage shopping gems. Stop off at Vintage Classics, where you can find a hip line-up of clothes from every decade from the 30s to the 80s. If you’re after a truly quirky souvenir, make a purchase from their series The Great Pretenders, a great name for their quirky idea of reproducing classic vintage designs anew. You’ll find a lovingly made selection of dresses and accessories that look totally vintage (inspiration is taken from the 40s and 60s,) are crafted from antique fabrics, but are brand new, fit like a glove and will last you for years.
Barcelona
This picturesque southern Spanish city has a beguiling array of vintage and second-hand shops. Make your first stop in Barcelona at Tarquesh for an amazing array of retro sunglasses and silk scarves. What makes this vintage store extra special is that products here change seasonally - so if you pop in during December, you’ll find cosy retro knitwear, and a visit in the summer months will give you plenty of straw hats and vintage tea dresses.