We’ve shared our favorite vintage shops in the past, but we’ve found a few new gems to add to the list. Here are five of the best vintage designer shops in the city, so next time someone compliments your Versace scarf or Valentino dress you can respond with, “Oh this old thing? I got it in Italy.”

Salvatore Michele Abiti Usati

Via del Governo Vecchio 35

This shop in the center of the city is literally overflowing with treasures. The owners, an older couple, travel all over Italy to find new and unique goods, and their care is obvious in the collection. Sifting through the layers of clothes you’ll find Emilio Pucci dresses, soft cashmere sweaters, racks of silk blouses and fantastic Gucci bags. If you have something specific in mind, they have tons in storage and will be happy to go through more boxes with you. The woman, like a fabulous grandmother, is always good for fashion advice and a second opinion.

Borghetto Flaminio Flea Market

Piazza della Marina, 32
Sundays, 10AM – 7PM
€1.60 entrance fee

Also in the center, just opposite Piazza del Popolo, the Borghetto Flaminio Market is an outdoor vintage and antique market, only open on Sundays. You’ll have to pay to get in, but the €1.60 entry fee is completely worth it. The market isn’t very large or overwhelming, but it’s packed with stalls, so you’re sure to find something you love. You’ll come across racks and racks of clothing, tables of accessories, and even household items. Fendi bags, fur coats and Armani dress shirts fill each stall, and because they’re used, the prices are surprisingly low. The tables of vintage jewelry are worth a stop, if just to marvel at the older costume pieces.

King Size Vintage

via del Boschetto, 94
Facebook page

With two locations, one in San Lorenzo and one in the trendy Monti neighborhood, King Size Vintage is one of the best-priced vintage stores in the city. It’s small, crowded, and you’ll have to do some digging, but that’s the fun part. Full of men and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, it’s hard not to find a gem. High-end designer pieces are reasonably priced, but they also have beautiful unnamed clothes along side the well-known labels.

Pifebo Vintage Shop

via dei Serpenti, 141
Website

Also in the Monti neighborhood, this store is the image of what probably comes to mind when you think “vintage.” Evening gloves spill out of old hat boxes, sequined jackets hang in the back, and cowboy shirts and old band t-shirts fill the shelves. It’s like digging through your grandma’s closet, if your grandma happens to have eclectic taste and an eye for exceptional pieces. Make sure to look at the large collection of real leather, worn and soft, yet always classic. They’re constantly getting new products in, so it’s worth stopping back every so often if you’re in the area to check out the new bags and boots.

Twice

via di San Francesco a Ripa, 105
Online store

If you love designer goods, but can’t stand the often-musty smell of vintage shops, and hate sifting through piles of clothes, then Twice, in the Trastevere neighborhood, is for you. The clothes are vintage, but the shop is fresh and modern, and everything is laid out neatly. Clothes are mostly from the 1960s to 1980s, and include men and women’s shoes, accessories, and clothing. The real designer purses here are a steal compared to what you would pay for new versions in the stores. Think vintage Chanel for €175. If you don’t have too much time to shop on your trip, Twice even has online shopping, which is revolutionary for Rome.

The post Shopping in Rome: 5 destinations for vintage designer deals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

During the years of the Celtic Tiger boom, it was just about impossible for a Cheapo to do any shopping in Dublin. Sure, it’s fun to marvel at the gorgeous window displays at Brown Thomas department store on Grafton Street, but buying anything? Not in the cards, especially not with the exchange rate.

That is unless you know where to look for vintage stores. These stores have been offering affordable shopping since the boom, and have survived even as many of the glitzier stores have closed in recent years.

Seek out the following shops and you can afford to bring home some gifts for friends and family–and maybe a little something for yourself, too.

The Harlequin
13 Castle Market, Dublin 2
Web site (Facebook)

Besides being located smack in the middle of one of my favorite areas of Dublin, this shop has everything you could want in a vintage store: racks and racks of well-organized, interesting clothes, bags, and jewelry–without even a trace of that musty vintage smell. Some parts of the store are organized by decade, other parts by item.

If you love handbags–beware–this store has an incredible selection of gently-used bags. And belts. And even hats, too.

The Loft at Powerscourt Townhouse
59 South William Street, Dublin 2
Web site

Cheapos walking into the indoor shopping center that is the Powerscourt Townhouse might think at first that they’ll never find anything affordable. Yet if you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday–climb the stairs to the very top floor where you’ll find a space called “the Loft.”

Here, independent designers and vintage enthusiasts set up a little rack of their items. Handmade jewelry, bath products, affordable little dresses and vintage belts are all on offer here. You can shop happily knowing your purchase will support small businesses.

A Store is Born
34 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2

Only open on Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m., you could walk by this space any other time of the week and barely notice it. It is the size of a garage, and is packed with interesting sweaters, scarves and jackets. If the Dublin weather has you wishing you packed something heavier, stop into this store on a Saturday to stock up on warm items.

If possible, arrive early as the small space gets crowded by mid-afternoon. The earlier you arrive, the better the selection.

All three of these vintage stores are located within a 5-minute walk of each other, making a manageable day of shopping. There are other vintage shops in Dublin that specialize in gowns or silk blouses–but Cheapos will be best served by sticking to this list.

The post Dublin: Vintage shopping with Cheapo prices appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Vintage dressing in the heartland of trendy London districts has been hot fashion property for quite some time now. Sadly as a result, “vintage” doesn’t always mean “cheap.” However, London is still bursting with secret little finds where one can find jaw droopingly beautiful clothes from yesteryear at reasonable rates.

Begin with a market rummage

From Whitechapel Market, where one can find colorful scarves and sparkly slippers to Portobello Market where there are several first-class vintage shops and stalls, a walk around London’s many markets is well worth your vintage mission. These markets are a good place to start with their decent sampling of high-quality stock, which has a high turnover (important, as it enhances the chances of stumbling on a great find).

Brick Lane is a vintage lovers paradise. Nearby Spitalfields Market, too, offers plenty of punk and vintage stalls along with over-smart designer shops. Camden Market (Tube: Camden Town), London’s traditional home of punks and punk-dom, is worth a visit, as it boasts plenty of vintage clothing stalls and shops.

Just north of Notting Hill tube, along Pembridge Road, there are several vintage shops. If you want real bargains (yes, they are still to be found in this area), you’ll have to make a return visit on a Saturday–it will be worth it. Head up Portobello Road to the market stalls under Westway. The stalls and shops further north and along Golborne Road are even cheaper, although the merchandise is unpredictable.

Here are some other places that boast vintage prices within a mortal’s league. Happy shopping!

Beyond Retro
112 Cheshire St, E2
Telephone: 020 7613 3636
Web site
Tube/Rail: Liverpool St.

Barnado’s
7 George St, W1
Telephone: 020 7935 2946
Web site
Tube/Rail: Marylebone
Hours: Mon-Sat 9.30 a.m.-5:30 a.m.

Marie Curie
318-320 St Paul’s Rd, N1
Telephone: 020 7226 0565
Tube/Rail: Highbury & Islington
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-5:20 p.m.

TRAID SW2
2 Acre Lane, SW2
Telephone: 020 7326 4330
Web site
Tube/Rail: Brixton

I Dream Of Wires
68a Cheshire St, London E2 6EH
Telephone: 020 7739 4481
Web site
Tube/Rail: Shoreditch High Street

Radio Days, London
87 Lower Marsh, Waterloo
Telephone: 020 7928 0800
Web site
Tube/Rail: Waterloo

The post Vintage Clothing Shops and Markets in London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

What would you rather take home as a souvenir from Florence? A pair of boxer shorts with the David’s (ahem) jewels printed on the front OR a gorgeous Florentine-made Italian leather handbag from the ’60s?

Ok, I guess that may be a gender-biased question, but is it really that hard of a decision? My best advice if you’re travelling to Florence: snag a souvenir that you can actually use and appreciate for years to come rather than some gimmicky t-shirt!

Better yet, why not get come genuine Italian vintage clothes or accessories? Not only will you find incredible high fashion pieces from historic Florentine houses such as Ferragamo and Gucci but also a slew of no-name cheaper finds that ooze lots of classic Italian style.

Florence has only one real flea market in Piazza dei Ciompi, which unfortunately has become a destitute maze of dusty stalls full of antiques, so if you’re interested in hunting down something a little more titillating try some of these vintage shops in the city center. These stores in particular have personality, helpful staff, reasonable prices and an evident care in the selection of their pieces. So happy hunting!

A Ritroso:
Via Ghibellina 24r

This is my favorite vintage store in the city. Even the intricate ironwork on the door and the graphics for the logo are beautiful! The shop is small but the merchandise, which includes all types of clothing, shoes, and accessories runs of the gamut of style, era and price (from €5 blouses to a stunning €300 dress and cape set).

You’ll probably want to chat with the woman who runs the shop, as she will act as your guide to the exact piece and price range you’re looking for. She’s especially helpful when looking for something in the right size or for that special occasion. Every time I walk in I know I’ll walk out with something irreplaceable.

Pitti Vintage:
Borgo degli Albizi, 72r

On this street in the city center you’ll find quite a few vintage shops that have popped up in the past few years. However skip right past Officina Vintage and their oddly vast offerings of €40 used Converse, and head up to Pitti Vintage.

Formerly located near the Pitti Palace, hence the name, this little shop has recently moved to this new location which is charmingly decorated and offers a larger showroom downstairs. The shop assistant is very sweet and helpful and you’ll find that each item was chosen with care. While most vintage shops only stock womenswear you’ll also find great men’s suits and jackets here. You’ll find that most items like dresses and boots are priced around €50, although there are often racks of items on sale and smaller items such as scarves and handbags can be a great cheapo buy. For a quick taste, check out the website.

The duds at Pitti Vintage, photo by the author

Lady Jane B Vintage Boutique
Via dei Pilastri 32b

This recent addition to the vintage scene, near Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, is another great place to dig around and find something unexpected. The small shop holds a lot of merchandise and has an incredible assortment of leather handbags at very reasonable prices. Again, if you’re having trouble looking for something or have a specific idea or price range, don’t hesitate to ask the staff.

Vintage Selection
Stazione Leopolda

Vintage Selection is a vintage fair that has proved hugely successful in the past few years featuring vintage vendors from Florence and all over Europe selling their wears in a huge warehouse-like space. There is an entry fee of €5 (less if you register first online) but the price is worth it. You’ll find vendors that sell exclusively designer wares, military garments, jewelry and accessories, and even places that sell clothes by the kilogram.

The fair is held in both January and July, although the one held in January generally offers a wider selection of vendors and merchandise. Do bring comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking on concrete and it is helpful if you wear clothing that is easy on/off if you plan to try anything on. You’ll be confronted with makeshift dressing rooms constructed out of sheets and mirrors, so prepare yourself accordingly!

Do you have any other Florence shopping tips? Help your fellow bargain-hunting Cheapos and share them in the comments below!

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Stick to studenty/artsy neighborhoods—the Mitte/Prenzlauer Berg border, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain—and you’ll be sure to score a dud or two that will make you look oh-so-European for oh-so-few Euros. We think that Mitte/Prenzlauer border and Kreuzberg are the best hunting grounds.

Young and hip: The Mitte/Prenzlauer Berg Border

Most of the boutiques lines up on Kastanienallee, Oderberger Strasse, Eberswalder Strasse, and Schönhauser Allee, are inexpensive repositories of stylish his and her fashions. We’re partial to the bright and colorful Kwikshop (Kastanienallee 44), which specializes in locally-crafted clothing, notebooks, and fun, reasonably-priced gifties. Continue up the street to find Skunk Funk (Kastanienallee 19), a young and fun boutique well-stocked with great little getups.

Turn left onto Oderberger Strasse to find more clothing shops and a smattering of second-hand and vintage spots. Paul’s Boutique (Oderberger Str. 47) hawks used designer sneakers; VEB Orange (Oderberger Str. 29) specializes in East German throwbacks.

If you’re after designs by local Berliners and you’re in the area on Sunday (when most other shops are closed), the Mauer Park Flöhmarkt (U-bahn: Eberswalder Str., Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.), which lives in the scruffy park at the eastern end of Oderberger Strasse, is the place. A hybrid flea market-craft/design fair, the dusty, cramped, and excellent flea market boasts dozens of booths hawking duds and jewelry by young Berlin designers hoping to make it big.

Edgy and Worldly: Kreuzberg

Head southwest to Kreuzberg, where you’ll find another batch of inexpensive yet style-conscious shops. Shops here tend to be of the edgy (think leather and studs) or worldly (as in hemp, and vegan) variety—but there is a wide range of styles thrown into the mix.

From the Gorlitzer Bahnhof U-bahn stop, stroll down Oranien Strasse to find looks like appeal to the hoods cosmopolitan, punk-ish crowd. Depot 2 (Oranien Str. 9) draws fashion-forward types. The organic duds are noteworthy.

On the other side of district, the Bergmannkiez (the area around Bergmann Strasse; U-bahn: Geneisenau Str.) is just a touch more upscale. But the secondhand shop Colours Kleidermarkt (Bergmann Str. 192)—where you can buy a kilo of clothes for less than €15; on Tuesday, between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. it’s only €10—is worth the journey. (So is a divine döner from Mustafas Gemüse Kebab on Mehringdamm, near the entrance to the U-bahn).

Further Afield

If you’re into bargain shopping and you’ll be in Berlin for a while, consider a stop at Designer Outlet Berlin (Alter Spandauer Weg 1; RE 2 & Bus 662). A half-hour ride from the city center, this new mall offers German brands for less.

Closer to the Center, there are three T.K. Maxx (check the website for locations) outposts—owned by the same people behind T.J Maxx and Marshall’s. They are among the first discount shops of their kind in Germany—so expect a crowd of bargain hunters.

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