Europe is home to some of the most influential and historic fashion houses, shopping districts, and fashion shows in the world. Many of the most recognized brands began – in some cases, hundreds of years ago – in Italy, France, England, and Germany, to name a few. For the fashion lovers among us, knowing where to go to experience the best the fashion world has to offer, is due diligence before planning a trip somewhere in Europe. Whether you’re looking for high fashion, designer labels, unique independent pieces, or just a great bargain – we’ve got you covered with some of the best, and in some cases, overlooked, spots to shop till you drop.
Milan
Italy’s relationship with the fashion world runs deeper than most and Milan is the jewel in that crown. Arguably one of the world’s fashion capitals, it’s all luxury and designer brands here. Head to Via Monte Napoleone, but don’t expect too many bargains! Milan is a great city for a multi-city trip, too. It’s a stone’s throw away from the Swiss border, so a second stop in Zurich or an Italian spot like Verona, Turin, or Genoa is well within reach by train. You can hire cars fairly cheaply with major rentals like Hertz and take a breath-taking road trip past Lake Como on your way to Switzerland, too.
Stockholm
The Swedes have mastered Scandinavian style, and you’ll see it in the locality’s dress sense. With some of the best-dressed natives, Stockholm earns its place on the list by offering both the luxurious – think Gucci and Prada along Birger Jarlsgatan, but also a range of flagship stores for some of Scandinavia’s most recognizable, affordable brands like H&M, Tiger of Sweden, or Filippa K, all found in an area known as Ostermalm.
What makes Stockholm so attractive is it’s really well connected to other cities, too. Intercity train links make journeys to Helsinki (Finland’s fashion capital, and actual capital as it happens) and Gothenberg (Sweden’s western, and second-largest, city). You can book these intercity tickets via apps like Omio, and save money while doing so, especially if you book well in advance. The train is by far one of the most scenic ways to experience the Scandinavian countries. Much of the fashion we see there is inspired by the climate, landscape, and communities that surround its major cities and it’s especially true for the imposing, verdant, and mountainous Nordics. A seat on a plane or sitting behind the wheel of a car deprives you of the chance to truly take it all in.
Zagreb
Croatia is one of the most overlooked places in Europe, with the white sandy beaches of the Balearic Islands, combined with a rich history and the affordability of an Eastern European location. But it’s also got some serious standing in fashion. Zagreb boasts 915 shoe and clothing stores, which for a city of its size, is pretty remarkable. Kick off your journey in Tkalčićeva Street. LuLu Couture, an example of Croatian design at its best, is well worth a look.
Cannes
We’d be remiss to not mention a French city, but listing Paris feels too obvious. By all means, don’t miss out on the City of Love and its world-famous Paris Fashion Week, but Cannes offers a unique experience. Situated along a scenic stretch of coastline and studded with stunning architecture, Cannes boasts a shopping experience that many of the world’s rich and famous will gather for when they want entertainment and retail therapy in equal measure. Thanks to the world-renowned film festival, Cannes has gained a reputation for hosting many luxury brands along its famous boulevards. We’d recommend Boulevard de la Croisette, Rue Meynadier and Rue d’Antibes to start with. As a coastal spot, you’ve also got the option of catching a ferry toexplore islands like Sainte-Marguerite, Juan Les Pins, and Golfe Juan.
Europe, as you can see, is a lot more than its most obvious fashion capitals. Almost every country has its own unique brand of style and is easy to travel to via Europe’s extensive train, boat, and plane networks. Whatever your sense of style happens to be, be sure to check out some of these cities, and an extra suitcase for your shopping haul!
