A Guide To Vintage Shopping In Lapa Rio De Janeiro

Lapa in Rio de Janeiro is the city’s hotspot for nights out and clubbing, yet it also has a burgeoning fashion scene. The old buildings and shabby walls give an ageing and carefree charm to Lapa, and this is reflected in the growing number of vintage shops within the neighborhood. Whilst Rio is not a central hub for vintage fashion, there are certainly hidden gems and beauties that are well worth seeking out.
In Brazil, the best places to find vintage items are brechos, which is the names for thrift or second-hand shops. There are several dotted around Rio, especially in the south zone and Lapa. Culture Trip headed to Lapa to discover the best places to go for the hottest vintage finds.

Feira Rio Antigo

Market, Store, Shop

This famous outdoor fair is a must-see and visit when in Rio. Held the first Saturday of every month, Feira Rio Antigo (also known as Feira da Lavradio) is a thriving hub of vintage items, from clothes and shoes to vinyls, furniture and old photos of Rio de Janeiro. The market contains around 400 stalls that snake their way along Rua Lavradio in Lapa. There are also old shops and spaces that sell plenty of vintage items. Arrive early to avoid the crowds of 20,000 people that attend, and be prepared to do some serious rummaging. It’s worth it though; among a whole lot of old forgotten items, there are some truly unique and beautiful pieces.

Bazar Noir, Teatro Odisseia

Bazar Noiris an alternative fashion event selling original and vintage pieces, which has been in business for more than 10 years. The irregular events take place in Teatro Odisseia, a nightclub in Lapa. The pieces truly on offer are unique, with various clothes, accessories and original decorations to choose from. For a traditional-style corset or vintage dresses and accessories, this is the place to go. They also sell gothic clothes and accessories, as well as tees bearing the logos of cult films, series and bands.

Emporium Lapa

Shop, Store

Vintage and thrift shoes and accessories

This brecho has a mix of art, souvenirs and second hand items, as well as selling original tees with graphics of famous singers. This place is not only a great place to pick up some unique souvenirs to take home, it is also a treasure chest of thrift items that are constantly updated, and the shop always has something new. It’s hard to know what you’ll find here, but it’s always worth the search.

Brecho da Gani

Shop, Store

This small thrift shop is divided into three parts. The first two are exclusively for second hand clothes, shoes and accessories, and contain a good mix of vintage and hand-me-downs. The third part is dedicated to erotic items, which does seem odd in a thrift store yet it really is a shop where you can literally find anything. Some days are definitely more bountiful than others at this store, but it’s worth trying your luck to see what vintage goodies you can pick out.

Atelier Encanto da Moda

Store

Atelier Encanto da Moda sells a good mix of second-hand and retro clothes, shoes and bags. It has also accumulated several unique and unusual pieces that are perfect for carnival or fancy dress parties – think various sequined accessories and head pieces, among other treasures. It’s a small store, yet it is filled with items. Half the fun is trawling through everything to search for those hidden gems that this store offers.

Brecho Point Lapa

This tiny little space in the heart of Lapa sells everything in terms of fashion, such as clothes, bags, shoes and accessories. The small room is packed with items, mostly second hand, yet the odd true vintage piece can be found here and there.

About the author

Sarah Brown

Sarah is a British freelance journalist and writer based in Rio de Janeiro. Her favourite travel experiences so far include swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, trekking through Rio's urban forest and enjoying the city life in Madrid. Find her on Instagram @sbgrio