Impossible to not be impressed by this wonderful city, full of movement and life. Yes, Amsterdam is the city of Red Light District (Rossebuurt) and of coffee shops that sell marijuana, but it's much more than that. There's a whole inside of it: an advanced, ecologic and free city. What about shopping? It's spectacular!
Like every city, also Amsterdam has its streets of shopping: Kalvestraat, Nieuwedijk and PCHooftstraat are the most important streets of shopping: here there are the most prestigious department stores. Who's looking for more particular stores, will have the chance to browse passing through one district to other. The small alleys in the historical area of the city or Spiegelkwartier are, for example, the realm of antique shops and other ones specialize in art pieces; each of them has an unmistakeble atmosphere and style. If you want to walk through the shopping channels and do shopping, you have to visit the 9 Straatjes (9 streets): they totally worth it! This part of city is characterized by an harmonious and cozy atmosphere: on the inside of this area you can find stores, uunique in their genre, bars and other places where you can relax.
If you go in this area to buy your clothes, you will have great chances to find some very original garments. In Huidenstraat, for example, there's Donna Fiera (Huidenstraat, 18), a store that caters to all women who are not afraid to appear: a paradise of feminine and almost exclusive brands. If you're looking for vintage and cool fashion, I suggest you to go to Zipper (Nieuwe Hoogstraat, 10). Other good second-hand clothing stores are: Lady Day (Hartenstraat, 9) and Laura Dols (Wolvenstraat, 6/7): an elegant and eccentric store, perfect for those who are looking for a gown or a cocktail dress to combine with some cool accessories, from 20's to 70's. The true fashion lovers will be satisfacted going to Van Ravestein (Keizersgracht, 359): a store specialized in selling clothes and accessories created by belgian designers like Dries van Noten, Marting Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester and Dirk Bikkembergs. Young and the same time classic creations are avaible at the flag store of the italian designer Daniele Alessandrini ().
The passionates of shoes, instead, will have the chance to indulge themselves by Antonia (Gasthuismolensteeg, 16), a shoes store that offers always innovative models. Other great fashion streets are in Jordan district: here you will find a lot of small interesting stores. Another interesting step is, in Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, Carmacoma (Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, 7B): a mirror quartier, similar to Corso Como in Milan, that proposes clothes and accessories by Balmain, Rick Owens, Alaia and Gareth Pugh.
If you love vintage, there are few names that you can forget: Droomfabriek, to embellish your wardrobe with unique and rare accessories, synonymous of quality and originality; Fifties&Sixsties (Reestraat, 5): amazing pieces 50's and 60's style; I love vintage (Prinsengracht, 201): all vintage fashion, from 20's onwards. Don't miss the amazing 50's pin-up dresses and the related accessories, you can also check out the web site for promotions and sales.
If you want to do an alternative shopping, I suggest you Diabolo (Nieuwe Hoogstraat, 22H): an original shop that sells gothic and alternative clothes; Local fanatic (Nieuwe Hoogstraat, 13M): this store is similar to Diabolo as genre, but it's so particualr that deserves a visit; Moondrop (Nieuwendijk, 41/43).
I can't not to mention diamonds, one of the reason why the city is famous. Amsterdam Diamond Center (Rokin, 1/5): the biggest jewelery of Netherlands. Beside the large collection of diamond and jewels, it offers a wide selection of designer watches. In addiction, it offers a wide range of services: each purchase is adapted to customer's needs.
Amsterdam is full of amazing department stores, where you will find whatever you need and that are so beautiful that you'll love them. De Bijenkorf (Galerij, 152), the dutch answer to London's Harrods: there's a wide selection of clothing stores, from big brands to low cost ones, jewelry, shoes, csometic and other stores; Maison de Bonneterie (Rokin, 140): one of the best department stores that I've ever seen. Born as a knitting, then began to sell any type of clothing for men and women. Today it's home to several boutiques of some of the best fashion brands like Burberry, Dolce e Gabbana, Polo Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss; Metz and Co. (Leidsestraat, 34): this luxurious building is the oldest department store of the city. From clothes to furniture, here you'll find everything; V/D (Kalverstraat, 203): this is the biggest ratail chain of Amsterdam and sells practically everything; Magna Plaza (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal): born as Post office and it was turned into a modern shopping center. Today, there are more of forty stores, with a particular emphasis on fashion, luxury and great restaurants; Bizar Fashion (Leidsestraat, 47): here, there are some of the most exclusive brands like Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Iceberg, Patrizia Pepe and many others. The collection of shoes, bags and accessories are definitely worth a visit.
Least but not last the markets: in De Jordaan district, near to the Noorderkerk, on saturday there's a market that will satisfy your curiosity: books, second-hands clothes, antiques and food. On moday, on Pijp, there's another market, more than 300 stalls sell food, clothes and accessories. Bloemenmarkt: on the Singel canal, there's the only floating flowers market in the entire world. There are many varieties of flower, in different colors (even black!). Waterlooplein, is the famous flea market of Amsterdam: you can find whatever you're looking for: from old books to 20's postcards, from vintage accessories to theatrical costumes, from vinyls to alternative clothes.
If you'll have the chance to visit Amsterdam, I suggest you to visit the many art galleries where you can not only admire but also buy the works exposed. Most of these galleries are located in picturesque alleys (as Spiegelstraat), that already worthly a visit. Take also a look to the eccentric Electric Ladyland (Tweede Leliedwarsstraat, 5), the only museum of fluorescent art on the world.
As usual, I hope that this little guide has been helpful. I wish you a nice trip and... see you next month with I love shopping in Copenaghen!
Like every city, also Amsterdam has its streets of shopping: Kalvestraat, Nieuwedijk and PCHooftstraat are the most important streets of shopping: here there are the most prestigious department stores. Who's looking for more particular stores, will have the chance to browse passing through one district to other. The small alleys in the historical area of the city or Spiegelkwartier are, for example, the realm of antique shops and other ones specialize in art pieces; each of them has an unmistakeble atmosphere and style. If you want to walk through the shopping channels and do shopping, you have to visit the 9 Straatjes (9 streets): they totally worth it! This part of city is characterized by an harmonious and cozy atmosphere: on the inside of this area you can find stores, uunique in their genre, bars and other places where you can relax.
If you go in this area to buy your clothes, you will have great chances to find some very original garments. In Huidenstraat, for example, there's Donna Fiera (Huidenstraat, 18), a store that caters to all women who are not afraid to appear: a paradise of feminine and almost exclusive brands. If you're looking for vintage and cool fashion, I suggest you to go to Zipper (Nieuwe Hoogstraat, 10). Other good second-hand clothing stores are: Lady Day (Hartenstraat, 9) and Laura Dols (Wolvenstraat, 6/7): an elegant and eccentric store, perfect for those who are looking for a gown or a cocktail dress to combine with some cool accessories, from 20's to 70's. The true fashion lovers will be satisfacted going to Van Ravestein (Keizersgracht, 359): a store specialized in selling clothes and accessories created by belgian designers like Dries van Noten, Marting Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester and Dirk Bikkembergs. Young and the same time classic creations are avaible at the flag store of the italian designer Daniele Alessandrini ().
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| Laura Dols |
The passionates of shoes, instead, will have the chance to indulge themselves by Antonia (Gasthuismolensteeg, 16), a shoes store that offers always innovative models. Other great fashion streets are in Jordan district: here you will find a lot of small interesting stores. Another interesting step is, in Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, Carmacoma (Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, 7B): a mirror quartier, similar to Corso Como in Milan, that proposes clothes and accessories by Balmain, Rick Owens, Alaia and Gareth Pugh.
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| Carmacoma |
If you love vintage, there are few names that you can forget: Droomfabriek, to embellish your wardrobe with unique and rare accessories, synonymous of quality and originality; Fifties&Sixsties (Reestraat, 5): amazing pieces 50's and 60's style; I love vintage (Prinsengracht, 201): all vintage fashion, from 20's onwards. Don't miss the amazing 50's pin-up dresses and the related accessories, you can also check out the web site for promotions and sales.
If you want to do an alternative shopping, I suggest you Diabolo (Nieuwe Hoogstraat, 22H): an original shop that sells gothic and alternative clothes; Local fanatic (Nieuwe Hoogstraat, 13M): this store is similar to Diabolo as genre, but it's so particualr that deserves a visit; Moondrop (Nieuwendijk, 41/43).
I can't not to mention diamonds, one of the reason why the city is famous. Amsterdam Diamond Center (Rokin, 1/5): the biggest jewelery of Netherlands. Beside the large collection of diamond and jewels, it offers a wide selection of designer watches. In addiction, it offers a wide range of services: each purchase is adapted to customer's needs.
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| I love vintage |
Amsterdam is full of amazing department stores, where you will find whatever you need and that are so beautiful that you'll love them. De Bijenkorf (Galerij, 152), the dutch answer to London's Harrods: there's a wide selection of clothing stores, from big brands to low cost ones, jewelry, shoes, csometic and other stores; Maison de Bonneterie (Rokin, 140): one of the best department stores that I've ever seen. Born as a knitting, then began to sell any type of clothing for men and women. Today it's home to several boutiques of some of the best fashion brands like Burberry, Dolce e Gabbana, Polo Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss; Metz and Co. (Leidsestraat, 34): this luxurious building is the oldest department store of the city. From clothes to furniture, here you'll find everything; V/D (Kalverstraat, 203): this is the biggest ratail chain of Amsterdam and sells practically everything; Magna Plaza (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal): born as Post office and it was turned into a modern shopping center. Today, there are more of forty stores, with a particular emphasis on fashion, luxury and great restaurants; Bizar Fashion (Leidsestraat, 47): here, there are some of the most exclusive brands like Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Iceberg, Patrizia Pepe and many others. The collection of shoes, bags and accessories are definitely worth a visit.
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| De Bijenkorf |
Least but not last the markets: in De Jordaan district, near to the Noorderkerk, on saturday there's a market that will satisfy your curiosity: books, second-hands clothes, antiques and food. On moday, on Pijp, there's another market, more than 300 stalls sell food, clothes and accessories. Bloemenmarkt: on the Singel canal, there's the only floating flowers market in the entire world. There are many varieties of flower, in different colors (even black!). Waterlooplein, is the famous flea market of Amsterdam: you can find whatever you're looking for: from old books to 20's postcards, from vintage accessories to theatrical costumes, from vinyls to alternative clothes.
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| Waterloopein Market |
If you'll have the chance to visit Amsterdam, I suggest you to visit the many art galleries where you can not only admire but also buy the works exposed. Most of these galleries are located in picturesque alleys (as Spiegelstraat), that already worthly a visit. Take also a look to the eccentric Electric Ladyland (Tweede Leliedwarsstraat, 5), the only museum of fluorescent art on the world.
As usual, I hope that this little guide has been helpful. I wish you a nice trip and... see you next month with I love shopping in Copenaghen!
Haha I love the fact that one of the shoe stores you've mentioned is called "Antonia" since I love shoes haha.
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