Travel to the golden age of fashion

Berlin

Few cities do “alternative” as well as the German capital. Decades of dissent have fuelled an indie shopping scene that’s now the envy of Europe. Choice highlights include Sing Blackbird, where vintage duds rub shoulders with rare art zines, film shows and a retro-chic café; Colours, which neatly organises its wares by colour and category and holds a 30 per cent off happy hour on Tuesdays; and the legendary Paul’s Boutique, where serious trainerspotters hunt down period sneakers among shelves stacked with toy robots and Star Wars paraphernalia.

Antwerp

Belgium rarely gets much coolness kudos but Antwerp has been quietly upping the ante on the fashion front for a while now, with its Royal Academy of Fine Arts counting Dries Van Noten among its alumni. Around the Kloosterstraat and Nationalestraat you’ll find a bevy of belting boutiques, including Belchique for Parisian catwalk cast-offs and Labels Inc for sample sales of designer brands.

Amsterdam

As infamous as it is for hedonistic pursuits, there’s innocent fun to be found in the Dam’s shopping streets. ‘De 9 straatjes’ are little streets studded with galleries, eateries and some of the city’s best vintage shopping. Laura Dols specialises in fabulous frocks for disco dollies. For more everyday retro gear, slip into Zipper for sportswear, jeans and leathers; or Episode Vintage, a veritable 70s and 80s timewarp manna where sequin seekers and gents chasing a tapered trouser are equally well catered for.

Rome

Milan may have the haughty haute couture in spades, but Rome’s far from ancient history when it comes to vintage tog(a)s. The Monti area has a clutch of design and shabby chic emporia, particularly on Via Serpenti. Rome’s flea markets are worth a fossick too. Nose around the Ponte Milvio and Borghetto Flaminio, where you’ll find everything from antique lamps to Gucci pieces discarded from the wardrobes of the well-heeled.

Stockholm

From the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to Little Dragon, Stockholm has become hipster central in recent years and vintage retailers have swiftly followed suit. The district of Sodermalm is very much the scenester stronghold and here you’ll find the Aladdin’s cave that is Beyond Retro. Try the cosier Life is Good for handpicked gems, along with Modern Retro, which goes beyond the clothes horse for accessories, shoes, furniture and other curios.