10 Best Vintage Shops in Madrid

10 Best Vintage Shops in Madrid

Squad Vintage by edkohler from Wikimedia Commons

Tired of long lines at Primark, everyone wearing the same Zara outfit, and fast fashion’s irresponsible waste? Get rid of your high-street chains and prepare to rummage! When it comes to second-hand and vintage shops in Madrid, there’s something for everyone, from inexpensive and colourful thrift shops to high-end boutiques.

1. Vintalogy

Vintalogy, Europe’s largest vintage store, founded by the people behind the Mercado de Motores, is an excellent place to start. Consider Vintalogy to be a vintage department store rather than a cheap bin. With outstanding merchandising, they make the most of the large floor area and high ceilings, making it easy to find what you’re searching for.

The items are carefully organized into divisions, and sizes are easily accessible. If you want to spend, there’s a special section dedicated to luxury and designer apparel, all of which is in excellent shape and well presented, just like the rest of the store.

2. La Mona Checa Vintage Market and Art

On Calle Velarde, a magnet for vintage buyers in Madrid, La Mona Checa is a lovely boutique (with an equally cute name). You can’t miss it walking past because of its colourful sign and unusual monkey emblem. The unusual red-and-white-striped cloth that decorates the ceiling, like the interior of a tent, makes you feel like you’re at the circus once inside.

They have a terrific assortment of brilliantly printed shirts for men and women, as well as some fantastic party outfits and sunglasses in a variety of shapes and sizes (I even managed to find a pair to fit my tiny head).

3. Malasaña Vintage Outlet

This is the place to go if you’re searching for a good deal. Clothing from La Mona Checa and Biba Vintage may be found here for up to 70% off. With no changing facilities and a variety of clothing racks, it’s a genuine no-frills thrift store experience. However, finding something you’ll enjoy isn’t difficult. 

4. Magpie

Magpie Vintage provides everything you might want in a large location on Calle Velarde and a little, newly-opened shop on Calle Manuela de Malasaa. Both men’s and women’s apparel are available, ranging from jeans and sportswear to sequined mini-dresses and floor-length evening gowns. 

They have a variety of accessories and jewellery available. The pricing is more than fair, with most products costing a little less than they would in a typical high-street store.

5. Heritage and Rare

Heritage and Rare is a vintage purist’s dream, with exquisite, authentic, and well-cared-for antique goods. Every item has a label that specifies the nation and decade in which it was created.

Everything is in fantastic shape and shows no traces of use, from exquisite Italian lingerie to hefty wool jackets. Many of the items were salvaged from store closures and have never been used. Although the shop is tiny, it manages to have a nice assortment of men’s and women’s clothing, as well as shoes and handbags.

6. Alphaville

Alphaville has a number of sites, including two on Calle Velarde and one on Calle del Leon. One shop on Calle Velarde specializes in vintage sportswear, while the other sells a little bit of everything.

The shop on Calle del Leon is my favourite of the three for winter clothes and shoes. I often get the impression that I’m shopping in someone’s living room, thanks to the pleasant ambience and old furnishings.

7. Humana, Malasaña

Vintage Quilt at Antique Market in England by SallyKerr from Wikimedia Commons

 Humana is Spain’s largest second-hand business, with stores all throughout the nation, but it isn’t known for being the most fashionable. When you think of Humana, you probably think of shabby throwaways rather than unique antique discoveries.

The Malasaa store on Calle de la Corredera Baja de San Pablo, on the other hand, has a well-curated selection. A combination of high-quality, on-trend high-street products and vintage merchandise may be found. Whether you’re looking for last season’s fashion for a fraction of the price or a more unique vintage piece, it’s certainly worth a look. The greatest things from the other branches are delivered here, so they obtain fresh stock on a regular basis.

8. El Rincón de Tia Jo

On Calle Velarde, another favourite is El Rincón de Tia Jo. It appears to be a little, narrow business from the outside, but once inside, it is considerably larger. The greatest vintage stuff tends to be in the room straight at the rear, which has a less hipster atmosphere than the other businesses on this street.

They have old furniture and knickknacks in another little area. The coat selection is fantastic; it’s where I got my cherished black faux-fur jacket. Most importantly, the staff is kind and helpful, and they always offer sound recommendations on what would work best for you.

9. The Loop

Imagining yourself rummaging among musty relics is a bad idea. “Fresh Vintage for Fresh People” is The Loop’s tagline. Despite the fact that “Fresh Vintage” is a bit of an oxymoron, I believe they imply that all of their vintage clothing is current, in good shape, and clean.

Moschino, Armani, Valentino, Calvin Klein, and Levi’s are among the well-known brands represented in the stock. The place is bright and contemporary, and it has the sense of a quirky designer boutique rather than a thrift store.

10. Johnny and Velvet

If you’re looking for some €20 Levi’s jeans, go no further than Johnny and Velvet, named after the owner’s two greyhounds. It’s a little south of the centre on Calle Embajadores, away from the major hub of vintage shops in Madrid, making it a nice alternative if you don’t want to deal with the hustle and bustle of Malasaa. The clothing is unusual, unique, and fairly priced.

Clothing, like art and music, expresses one’s cultural identity. Plus, there’s more. Vintage clothes, unlike paintings, may be altered and personalized to fit into a modern atmosphere. Vintage is a terrific method to learn about the culture because it spans generations.

So why not give vintage shopping a try? It will give you more joy than “modern” retail buying. Not only would you be able to stock your wardrobe with fashionable items at low rates, but it would also be the finest method to express your creativity and remain distinct.