In search of second-hand clothes? Here are eight vintage greats

From clothing by the kilo to vintage design, second-hand is something Brussels has always done well. Read on to find seven gems the capital has to offer and an extra place for retro heaven a 30-minute train ride away.

In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, doing ‘les fripes’ or second-hand shopping is increasingly popular, and not only for teenagers looking for brand names or something unique at pocket money prices.

In the past, second hand meant mainly charity shops like Oxfam, the Salvation Army or the Red Cross, before Les Petits Riens transformed the scene with ‘basic’ as well as higher quality items.

Now a plethora of more upmarket ‘vintage’ clothing shops have entered the market. New ones pop up all the time at every corner – one Saint-Gilles shop is called just that [Corner]. Prices are higher but you can still find budget buys in an eco-friendly way. Some offer coffee and tea pre- or post-browse too.

Melting Pot Kilo

With a precedent set a few doors away at ‘La Vaisselle au Kilo’, Melting Pot Kilo in the Marolles is a perfect place to spruce up your wardrobe. Most items are ‘pay by weight’ at €18 per kilo, with a few ‘stand-alone’ pieces or boxes of accessories at budget prices. Brussels has a second downtown store, while Antwerp also benefits from this popular vintage shop oozing with denim, t-shirts, dresses, shoes and scarves which even features sports and children’s sections. Rue Haute 54; Rue des Poissonniers 2

Think Twice (T2)

Do not be put off by the seemingly endless rows of clothes in very large spaces. This is a good value way to shop – particularly at the end of T2’s five-week  stocking cycle, where clothes prices gradually decrease to as little as €1, although naturally these may not be the ‘best’ of the bunch as the most coveted clothes go quickly. With nine shops in Belgium, including two in the capital, there is not only a wide selection of funky vintage clothes, some from the 70s, but also an impressive choice of shoes, jewellery and bags. Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 57; Rue des Eperonniers 71

Episode

Originating from Amsterdam, this chain has no fewer than 15 shops across Europe, with one each in Brussels and Antwerp. It is top of the range vintage. All clothes and shoes come to the customer after being sorted, washed, quality checked and security tagged. You can find great outfits from the 1980s and other eras. It is particularly good for jeans, sportswear and t-shirts, with everything attractively laid out. There is also an excellent selection of shoes, including Nike and Adidas trainers and Birkenstocks, bags and scarves. Card payment only.  Rue de la Violette 28  

Look 50

This is a charmingly intimate take on vintage with a few rails of chic ensembles. They date – unsurprisingly given the name – from the 1950s, but there are also more modern items. One of Brussels’ oldest vintage addresses, it comes complete with an authentic jukebox playing retro tunes and also boasts shoes, accessories and custom jewellery. Pick up colourful dresses or velvet jackets that are perfect for a night out or an end-of-year ball. Beautifully arranged, this boutique also has a men’s vintage section. Rue de la Paix 10

Hérésie

Hyper trendy and resolutely for all genders, this is a new kid on the vintage block. Set up by two young Brussels girls, shop here for 1970s flower power shirts, 1980s and 1990s sweatshirts and a huge range of t-shirts from the 2000s. Everything is colour-coordinated from black Gothic-style shirts and hoodies to exquisite white lace tops and dresses. Watch out for the queues outside when new collections arrive, announced on the boutique’s social media pages. Rue de l’Etuve 39 

Trucafrip

Another newcomer, Trucafrip is perfect for street and skate wear. The range of jeans, including Levis, Wrangler and Big Boy baggy, as well as sweatshirts, T-shirts, denim and leather jackets, and shoes, especially trainers, is impressive for a relatively small shop. Recently relocated to a bigger address, reflecting its success, Trucafrip has a family feel and loyal following from its teenage, 20- and 30-something clients. Chaussée de Waterloo 248 (Saint-Gilles)

Petits Riens

Non-profit Petits Riens, with second-hand shops throughout Brussels and Belgium, gives all profits to the poor and homeless. Its flagship store boasts an amazing selection of clothes for men, women and children in all sizes and styles, as well as furniture, homeware, bikes and books. Get there early in the day to reap the best bargains. Then try the shop’s speciality ‘high fashion’ branch Retro Paradise next door, which sells upmarket vintage wear. Les Petits Riens also welcomes donations of your old or vintage clothes. Rue Américaine 101-103 (Ixelles)

Riot

A year after the first Riot in Antwerp appeared, Riot Leuven opened in 2018 with an endless array of edgy retro classics, hand-picked from a sorting centre. Riot scores highly for jeans (there is a huge selection of Levis), shirts and sportswear with rails of dresses and jackets too. Shoes, bags and accessories complete the impressive vintage picture. Diestsestraat 205 (Leuven)