Lisalotte van Os | portfolio

One of the perks of living in Amsterdam is having access to some nice vintage and second hand stores. If you live in Amsterdam, elsewhere in the Netherlands or you are visiting Amsterdam from abroad (hopefully soon, given the Corona situation) and you like thrift shopping, check out this list I’ve made containing some of my favourites. It even includes a route along the different stores. Enjoy!

Amsterdam Centrum

• Time Machine Vintage | Nieuwe Hoogstraat 5A | @timemachinevintage

From Central station take metro line 51, 53 or 54 to the first stop, which is Nieuwmarkt. From there its a three-minute walk up the street to Time Machine Vintage. Amsterdam’s first vintage store, since 1969. Their pieces are quite unique compared to the more mainstream stores. Also the racks are not too full so its not that hard to pull something out, which otherwise can be a real struggle. They play nice music and the staff is very kind. Overall a good vibe in the store.

• Mood Indigo | Nieuwe Hoogstraat 8 | @moodindigovintage

Right on the opposite of Time Machine Vintage you’ll find Mood Indigo. They sell mostly denim and American vintage. The store’s layout is very nice. Don’t forget to take a look downstairs! They offer a wide variety of vintage jeans.

Waterlooplein

• Episode | Waterlooplein 1 | @episodeamsterdam

Within a 6 minute walking distance of Nieuwe Hoogstraat, you’ll find Waterlooplein where Episode is situated. If you’re going to pay a visit to Episode, make sure you have enough time on your hands. The shops are quite big and packed with different kinds of clothes! Long dresses, skirts, jeans, jackets, shoes, scarfs, bags… Most pieces are priced in a range between 25 to 35 euros, which is quite cheap for jeans and jackets. I bought a really nice pair of vintage jeans for 22,50! They do offer unique pieces, but since the stores are packed its a bit of a hassle to browse through everything. Cool fact: all pieces were bought by sorting companies from charities.

• Kiloshop | Jodenbreestraat 158 | @kilostore_Amsterdam

Also on Waterlooplein, you’ll find a Kiloshop store. Their stores are packed! The concept is based on their find, weigh, wear philosophy. In this store prices are based on the amount of kilo’s the clothes weigh. All the clothes are labeled by colours so you can weigh them yourself. In general its quite expensive for a second hand store, especially heaver clothes like jackets or jeans. If you’re willing to spend some money, you can probably find yourself some great pieces.

• Waterlooplein Market | Waterlooplein 1

On Waterlooplein, you’ll find the oldest flea market in Amsterdam, since 1887. Here you can find many stands selling second hand clothing, shoes, bags and more. Next to this you’ll find stands selling books, vinyl records, jewellery and souvenirs. The market is open on mondays through saturdays. Tip: don’t go when its raining because most stands will remain closed, so check the forecast a couple days before. Another tip: go either on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning, it won’t be that crowded.

• Marbles Vintage | Staalstraat 30 | @marblesvintage

Take a 4 minute walk along the canal, cross the small bridge and on the other side you’ll find Marbles Vintage. The owner describes her style als retro romantic, mixing tulle skirts, flower prints, dreamy dresses, vintage finds and hats. The store is quite small, but packed with unique pieces.

Negen Straatjes/Jordaan

• Zipper | Huidenstraat 7 | @zippervintageclothing

A thirteen-minute walk from Marbles Vintage, you’ll find the area of the Nine Streets. In this area you’ll find more nice vintage stores, like Zipper. Like Time Machine Vintage, this is one of the oldest vintage stores in Amsterdam, founded in 1979. They offer mainly 50’s vintage clothing inspired by the Los Angeles area. The fitting rooms are cool with their saloon doors, however they do not offer much privacy. Don’t forget to take a look downstairs!

• Bij Ons Vintage | Reestraat 13 | @bijonsvintage

A twelve-minute walk down the street you’ll find Bij Ons Vintage. They focus mainly on the 70s and 80s, but also offer items from the 60s and 90s. I really like the way the store is organised. For example they nicely sorted all accessories like bags, belts and hats in buckets. They have a large collection of long dresses.

Kinkerbuurt

• First Vintage Fashion | Bilderdijkstraat 115 | @first_vintage_fashion

Taking tram 13 from Westermarkt to Bilderdijkstraat, you’ll find First Vintage Fashion. They offer ladies fashion from well-known and new brands. You’ll even find a party clothing section. The collection is renewed weekly and coffee is served! If you like cute dogs this is the place to be. The owner is also very kind. A bit on the expensive side but the chance of finding unique pieces is quite high.

• We Are Vintage | Kinkerstraat 193 | @wearevintagenl

An eight-minute walk down the street you’ll find We Are Vintage. Its 60s/70s focussed and prices start at 10 euros per kilo. The pieces are quite unique in comparison to other vintage/second hand stores in Amsterdam.

Love,
Lisalotte