Summer is coming soon, and we can finally put away our coats, gloves, scarves and hats. This is a much easier time to go out and travel. It’s also a good time to plan a shopping weekend with your friends or your family in order to refresh your wardrobe…but where to go? No worries – here’s a few tips on the best cities for a fantastic shopping weekend.
London, the trendiest city
Of course the city at the top is London! London is without doubt the most popular city for shopping, due to its proximity to Paris and because it’s one of the trendiest capitals in the world. This capital attracts many people from neighbouring countries, who visit London to find the fashion designers’ latest creations and enjoy a cup of tea in a British way.
Where to go?
- Oxford Street: Oxford Circus Tube stop, where there are almost 300 shops and some famous brand names!
- New Bond Street: Shopping district where we can find very chic and trendy clothes – but quite expensive.
- Regent Street: Fashion shops with reasonable prices, reachable from Piccadilly Circus subway.
- Carnaby Street: Near Regent Street, this is the best place for fashion lovers, with many shops featuring urban fashion.
- Covent Garden Market: For lovers of arts and crafts.
- Notting Hill: The best district for finding antiques and vintage clothing.
Paris and its chic stores
Paris is definitely the city of good taste and chic trends. As you well know, the renowned fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is based in Paris. However, we advise you to shop outside of the city centre in order to find more reasonable prices.
Where to go shopping in Paris?
- Le Marais: Saint-Paul metro-stop. There are many clothes shops in rue des Rosiers and art and antique stores on the place des Vosges. This is a trendy district, a little less busy than the Grand Boulevards.
- Faubourg Saint-Honoré: This is the centre of the fashion and design in Paris, where many name brands, such as Yves Saint Laurent and Hermes, are based.
- Boulevard Haussmann: Famous shops Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps can be found here.
- Avenue des Champs Elysées: Especially for jewellery, handbag and lovers of cosmetics. You will find brands such as Dior, Chanel and Vuitton.
- Saint Germain des Prés: Mabillon or Saint Germain des prés metro-stops. Many chic shops are there.
- Marché de Saint-Ouen: This is the place to go if you are looking for vintage and cheap clothes, antiques and old furniture.
Milan, the fashion capital
Most famous designers have some of their stores in Milan, which makes the city the capital of fashion. This is a dream destination for people who are looking for the designers’ latest creations. With London, Paris and New York, Milan stands alongside as a city not to miss for a shopping weekend.
Where to find the best deals in Milan?
- Quadrilatero d’Oro: This is located between la via Monte Napoleone, la via della Spiga and la via Sant’Andrea. It is a very chic district in the centre, but prices can be quite high.
- La Galleria Vittorio Emanuele: In this beautiful gallery you can find some brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton or Dolce & Gabana.
- Le Corso Buenos Aires: A big artery of the city, this shopping street has more affordable shops.
- La Via Torino: In the city centre, this pedestrian street is also full of shops, including clothes and shoes boutiques.
New York, the cosmopolitan city
The best known shopping areas are situated around of the centre of Manhattan, which is by far the main destination for tourists. There are also some trendy shops outside the centre as well, not in such close proximity to one another.
Where to go shopping in New York?
- Lower East Side and Garment District: A good place to find jeans, tops and shoes at reasonable prices.
- Greenwich Village: Many shops from independent creators; the latest styles and trendy designs as well.
- Madison Avenue: Shops and upscale department stores
- 34th Street: This is where we find Macy’s (store based on over 10 floors!)
- Between Front Street and Water Street at Brooklyn: A few antiques and clothes stores.
Barcelona, for alternative fashion
Barcelona has large pedestrian streets and two big stores which are favourable for shopping. Most European name brands are based there, which might encourage you to have a quick browse before (or perhaps after) hitting the beach.
Where to go?
- From la Plaça de Catalunya, via le Passeig de Gracia to Avenida Diagonal: Stores are quite scattered from each other but you can find Armani, Versace, Burberry, Bally, Cartier, Calvin Klein…
- El Corte Ingles stores: One is situated at Plaça de Catalunya and the other one is at Portal de l’Angel avenue.
- Avinguda del Portal de l’Angel: Here You will find shoes, clothes and luxury stores.
- Carrer de la Riera Baixa: An interesting second hand stores area.
Berlin, the city of fashion creators
Berlin has an historical relationship with fashion and creation, so this is therefore a logical destination for shopping lovers.
Where to shop in Berlin?
- Friedrichstrasse, District 205, 206 and 207: These are the upmarket districts of the city where you can find Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Galeries Lafayette.
- KaDeWe store, Tauentzienstrasse: This is a store on 6 floors.
- Kurfurstendamm: Offering beautiful window-shopping along the avenue to Tauentzienstrasse and KaDeWe store.
- Alte Schönhauser Strasse, Mulackstrasse, Weinmeisterstrasse and RochStrasse: All these streets are located in the Scheunenviertel district and have many original stores in a relatively quiet environment.
Rome, shopping without any excesses
Rome is home of many prêt-à-porter shops which are all the charm of the city. There is no huge commercial centre and large avenues (at least in the city centre) but there are many small shops.
Where to shop?
- District between la Via Del Babuino and la Via del Corso to la piazza di Spagna: This is the district of high quality products, with shops such as Armani, Gucci, Bulgari, Ferragamo, Valentino and Versace and Battistoni.
- La Via Cola di Rienzo and la Via Ottaviano: Here you can find some cheap shops to buy clothes that we wear every day.
- Viale Guglielmo Marconi and Porta Portese: The Marconi district is very young and trendy; there are many stores along the streets once you go across the Tigre Riviera.
Tokyo, the influential Asian capital
Tokyo is probably the capital to visit in Asia if you want to go shopping and get an idea about the latest collections of fashion. Japan’s capital indeed radiates far beyond its borders and also imports ideas from Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
Where to find great deals?
- Shibuya: Very big commercial district of the city and highly frequented. The liveliest places are Center Gai, Koen Dori, Spain Slope and big stores such as Tokyu and Shibuya 109.
- Harajuku: A young and trendy pop culture district, where we find many fashion stores of Lolita, gothic or other colorful clothes.
- Shinjuku Dori Avenue and Yasukuni Dori Avenue: Streets full of restaurants and stores.
- Shimokitazawa: Second hand clothes stores and many cheap products.
- Ginza: A luxury district with many stores of international brand names.
Copenhagen, a human size city centre
Copenhagen is a favourite for a more relaxed shopping experience, as it doesn’t draw the clamour of the bigger cities.
Where to shop in the capital of Denmark?
- Stroget district: From Kongens Nytorv to Radhuspladsen we can find many shops of creators and prêt-à-porter stores.
- Gronnedade district: Very chic stores and expensive products; this is the district of luxury.
- Kronprinsensgade: This is a good area to discover fashion and haute couture, including designers such as Munthe, Simonsen, Stig P, Bruuns Bazaar…
- Bredgade and Kongensgade store: This is the place for furniture and antique shops.
Amsterdam and its antique shops
Amsterdam is less known for prêt-à-porter than London, Paris or Milan. However, it really appeals for everything related to jewellery, books and antiques. The centre includes a large pedestrianised area, making it a relatively easy place to walk.
Where to go in Amsterdam?
- Around Dam Square: All international brand names are based in this area. Dam Square is a very popular and lively area.
- De Pijp: Some smaller shops, lots of small retailers, and a large market.
- Jordaan: A popular district with shops of all types.
- Waterlooplein: Second hand markets and some old clothes shops.
- Antique dealers’ district: located along Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, with cafés and chocolates shops nearby.
Stockholm, trendy place with Nordic influences
Stockholm is home to many designer shops. Tthe city is known in northern Europe for its dynamism and its culture that blends Anglo-Saxon, Nordic and Russian influences. There are also all international brands here.
Where to go?
- District of the city: You can find some big stores such as PUB, NK and Ahlens, with a huge selection of clothes and decorative objects. There are also two galleries: Gallerian and Sturegallerian. And finally the commercial street, Drottninggatan, is the liveliest street of the district.
- Ostermalm district: Luxury signs and famous international brand names. There are of course some Swedish brands such as Lindberg, Holtblad, Fillipa K, Northface…
- Sodermalm district: In the street of Gotgatan we can find green and bohemian products, as well as new and second-hand clothes.
Shanghai, the liveliest town in China
Shanghai has become one of the most influential cities in Asia when it comes to fashion. The huge Chinese metropolis (home to over 23 million people) competes with Hong-Kong and Tokyo as a top shopping destination in Asia.
Where to shop?
- Nanjing street: Old and new stores; all brands are present.
- Huaihai street: Chic and elegant stores that are also quite expensive.
- Sichuan street: Moderate prices and popular items.
- Yuyuan District: Traditional Chinese goods, booksellers and craftsmen.
Hong Kong, the giant
The Hong Kong harbour, located in the south of China, still has an international face due to the presence of many expatriates who came for business and trade. Alongside its skyscrapers, Hong Kong is renowned for its shopping centre.
Where to shop in Hong Kong?
- Pacific place in Admiralty, Times Square at Causeway Bay and Langham Place at Mongkok, Central: Several large commercial centers with a high density of quality shops.
Considering the destinations listed and the density of shops in these major cities, it would be better to plan a shopping ‘weekend’ of at least 3 days. That might afford you some time to walk around and discover the city a little whilst also browsing the commercial areas. Staying a few days means booking an affordable hotel in the best location, which you can easily find with Easytobook.com.
Article written by Sandrine Sanchez, marketing assistant at Easytobook.com
