The vintage scene is huge in Berlin! Next to the weekly fleamarkets (like the ones at Mauerpark or Boxhagener Platz), the city is brimming with cool stores where you can hunt for hours on end for retro treasures. From vintage sneakers to couture to antiques, there is some serious great finds to be had in Berlin.
Here are BANG BANG BERLLIN'S top vintage picks! Happy hunting!
1. Sing Blackbird
Sing Blackbird has it all: vintage and second-hand clothing from the 70's to the 90's, combined with a cosy retro-chic café, occasional film screenings , a monthly fleamarket, homemade cakes, coffee made with locally roasted beans, a vegan brunch served every weekend, free Wifi, fashionable owners, a great interior and the sale of limited edition art zines and books. I think it’s clear: this is our number one!
4
Sanderstrasse 11, 12047 Berlin
Tel: 030 54 84 50 51
singblackbird.com/
2. Colours
Colours is probably one of Berlin’s biggest vintage shops. It measures over 1000 square meters, filled with a broad range of second-hand pieces. No matter what you are looking for; you’ll find it at Colours. The store houses about 30.000 items, arranged by colour and class. You can find the more special and pricey items in the front of the shop, but the back of this huge store is what mostly interests us: here you can buy clothes per kilo! So if you’re a big spender, Colours should be your ultimate destination. Plus during their Happy Hour (Tuesdays, 11.00-15.00) you’ll get 30% off!
Bergmannstrasse 102, 10961 Berlin
Tel: 030 6943348
www.kleidermarkt.de/
3. Paul’s Boutique
The owner of this well-known vintage shop (no, his name is not Paul..it’s Frank) started his business over ten years ago at the Oderberger Strasse. Nowadays, Paul’s Boutique comprises of four different buildings: a streetwear department, a shop focused on designer brands and another store in Mitte with a mix of new and vintage items on stock. The streetwear shop is called ‘The Mothership’ by insiders, and its walls and shelves are filled with Frank’s toy robots, boomboxes and Star Wars Collectibles (not for sale, unfortunately). It’s a good place to hunt for vintage sneakers, used denim, t-shirts and jackets. Pick up your vintage designer pieces a few doors down at Goo, or dig through used shoes, sunglasses and jewelry at Chapter Mitte.
Oderbergerstrasse 45, 47, Torstrasse 76
Tel: 030 44 03 37 37
www.paulsboutiqueberlin.de/index.htm
4. Made In Berlin
The two Made In Berlin stores are always fully packed with local hipsters and trendy crowds searching for hidden fashion gems. Both stores look pretty stylish, with well-dressed window dummies, carefully selected pieces and even a selection of new designer clothes from several LA-based labels. Their extensive shoe section is worth a look, as well as their broad range of Eighties clothing. But don’t expect to find real bargains here, they’re a bit pricey. Unless you pop into one of the Made In Berlin shops during happy hour: you get 20% off on Tuesdays between 12.00 and 15.00 at the Neue Schönhauser Strasse store and on Wednesdays between 10.00 and 15.00 at the Friedrichstrasse.
Neue Schönhauser Strasse 19, 10178 Berlin & Friedrichstrasse 114a, 10117 Berlin
Tel (Neu Sch. Str.): 30 21 23 06 01 & Tel (Friedrichstr.): 030 24 04 89 00
www.kleidermarkt.de/
5. Calypso
‘The ultimate shoe shoppers paradise’, that’s the perfect description of both Calypso shops. Whether you are looking for 50's glamour heels, designer boots or classy court shoes..you’ll find it here. The owner - shoe-fanatic Rosemarie - is very willing to help you find the right size or style. Her impressive collection comprises footwear from every decade spanning 60 years, and Rosemarie knows them all. Film and theatre companies are amongst her regular customers, and that’s no surprise!
Rosenthalerstrasse 23, 10119 Berlin & Oderbergerstrasse 61, 10435
Tel: 030 28 54 54 15
www.calypsoshoes.com/
6. Memory
The special thing about this little boutique is the personal aspect: owner Andrea Park sells a wide range of pre-selected items, collected by her and her parents over the years. You can expect items from the 30's to the 80's, from vintage designer pieces to accessories, handbags and colourful household objects. Everything is handpicked, reasonably priced and ‘full of beautiful memories’. If you’re in for a chat about all the shop’s treasures: the owner is very welcoming and willing to share her knowledge. But there’s more: Memory is not only a lovely vintage shop, it’s also a café (located next-door). Andrea’s husband will make you a tasty Latte Macchiato after your shopping tour! Doesn’t that sound perfect?
Schwedter Strasse 2, 10119 Berlin
Tel: 0160 650 14348
7. Cash
Cash is located just around the corner from hipster heaven Apartment store (and is run by the same people). Inside Cash is a second-hand designer treasure chest full of old YSL, Gucci, Dries Van Noten and Chanel. Pieces generally range from 1970s through to last years cast-offs. The prices aren't cheap, the people here really know the worth of this old designer gear, but if you are a true fashion fan, you will not mind! And if you have designer pieces you want to sell, then bring them here. When they are sold you get 50%.
Mermhardstrasse 8, 10178
8. Meins & Deins
This small shop on Danziger Strasse is definitely worth a look, especially for the sneaker fanatics among us. Its shop windows are filled from top to toe with vintage trainers, from Adidas classics to rare Nike Dunks and lesser-known brands. Make your outfit complete with one of their vintage tracksuits, or ask the charismatic owner Bülent Mittiri for advice. He has a lot more on offer in his shop, though. Coats, hats, jackets, blouses, other kinds of shoes and much more..for men as well as woman.
Danziger Strasse 38, 10435 Berlin
Tel: 01 766 481 5965
9. Opti King
To complete your fancy vintage outfit, there’s just one more thing you’ll need: retro sunglasses! Pick up your vintage eyewear at Opti King, a shop that specializes in sunglasses and frames of the 50's to the 90's. They offer a phenomenal range of collectors items, like vintage lorgnettes from the 1880's or arty Alain Mikli shades. More well-known brands are also represented: Ray-Ban, Dior, YSL…it’s definitely hard to choose!
Eberswalder Strasse 34, 10437 Berlin
Tel: 030 47 37 24 89
www.optiking.com/start/index.php
10. Stiefelkombinat
Stiefelkombinat is one of Berlin’s bigger spots to pick up some awesome vintage pieces. Both shops on the Eberwalder Strasse - one for the guys and one for the girls - are completely packed with originals from the 40's to the 80's. Especially their shoe section is more than huge (that explains the name: stiefel is the German word for boot). This shop is not cheap as chips, unfortunately, but still worth a look! If you’re more into retro furniture, check out their third shop Möbelkombinat, located at the Wolliner Strasse.
Eberswaler Strasse 21-22 & Wolliner Strasse 18-19 (Möbelkombinat)
Tel (Ebers. Str.): 030 5105 1234 & Tel (Woll. Str.): 030 7545 7280
www.stiefelkombinat.de/index.php/home
