Keenly aware that style is first and foremost an expression of personality, Antwerp’s fashion-forward locals firmly believe that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And there’s enough of both at these nine lovely flea markets and thrift stores.
About 10 times a year, the Grote Markt square forms the impressive backdrop to Brocantwerpen, the city’s gift to both casual and avid brocanteurs. The still fresh-faced market has already proven an excellent source for home décor oddities and attracts vendors with an eye for quality, making it one of the most qualitative flea markets around—wooden sleds, beautiful bird cages, fox taxidermy and all.
Approximately 10 times a year. Check out the calendar here.
Kringwinkels are all over Flanders (Belgium’s Dutch-speaking northern half). With a name translating to “circle shops,” the chain of thrift stores is all about giving clothing and especially furniture a chance at a second life. In Antwerp alone, there are eight of them, with four repair workshops constantly fixing objects and injecting them straight back into the market. Kringwinkels are often the places where smart cookies on the lookout for larger pieces of furniture—say old but exquisite rosewood cabinets, for example—can score remarkable bargains. The one at Sint-Jorispoort in the city core is beloved and spacious with over three floors. Turnaround on objects is fast here, though, so the trick is to pop in for a look more than once.
De Kringwinkel, Sint-Jorispoort 29, Antwerp, Belgium, +32 3 226 24 70
Another secondhand staple but with a focus on colorful fashion, Think Twice’s name alone embodies the best of the thrifty Zeitgeist. Today, the chain has nine shops in Brussels and Flanders, including three in Antwerp, its vintage-loving city of birth. New collections of garments from the ’60s through to the ’90s come in every week, meaning that nearly every month sees a momentous sales day when all items drop to a symbolic euro to clear out space for the new influx of retro gear.
Multiple locations in Antwerp, Belgium
When in need of a good pair of boots, bag, or other leather accessories, the budget-conscious Antwerp fashionista is sure to pay My Ohm a visit. This tiny thrift shop sits on the same cute square that boasts the Vrijdagmarkt, so if you manage to go on a Friday, you might return triumphantly with treasures for both your wardrobe and home décor.
A touch pricier than others on this list but considered a Belgian and Dutch vintage Walhalla, Jutka & Riska handpicks its vintage items with great care. Curation is a huge part of what has made this vibrant shop in the Nationalestraat a standout name in retro-adoring circles. There will be no digging through mounds of entangled florals here. The brand’s attention to young designer talent and offbeat decorations are added bonuses.
Jutka & Riska, Nationalestraat 87, Antwerp, Belgium, +32 3 203 04 97
Jutka & Riska Antwerp | Courtesy of Jutka & Riska
When the most famous thrifty person of all set foot inside his barbershop/secondhand sneaker store, owner Alabi couldn’t believe his eyes. The owner of Labi (formerly known as Kicks and Cuts) had only opened his business’ doors five months earlier, and who of all people should walk in but Macklemore. A year later, the sneakerhead’s haven is still going strong, offering rare footwear under retail price as well as some of the freshest cuts around.
Labi, Lange Koepoortstraat 76, Antwerp, Belgium, +32 3 256 87 07
We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK"