Shopping bliss in Flanders

As our credit and debit cards “dry out” after the heady spate of spends before Christmas and January sales, shopaholics will be relieved to know that there are still fantastic bargains waiting to be snapped up in nearby Flanders.

Famed for their cutting edge designers and elegant accessories, shoppers can find excellence in quality and variety in the beautiful heart of Flanders. Home to designers such as Dries Van Noten and Ann Demueulemeester, there are some unique and refreshing collections available for a considerably decent price. Stylish accessories such as the upmarket Delvaux and popular Kipling both hail from Flanders and have great prices to match.

Shopping isn’t just limited to clothes, there is a wealth of quaint speciality shops with their own unique appeal. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten shops to visit while you are on your travels there and if your credit card is still in recovery, remember it’s still free to window shop!

1. Huis A Boon – Antwerp

Located in the heart of Antwerp, this independent shop dates back to 1884 and stocks nearly 10,000 pairs of gloves. Beautiful gloves for every occasion and a few more.

Lombardvest 2-7, Antwerp

2. Tierenteyn - Ghent

Ghent’s speciality Mustard shop serving a delectable selection which can be sampled before you buy. Housed in a charming old townhouse, a visit to this quaint store is a definite must.

Groentenmarkt 3, Ghent

Tierenteyn.be

3. Hexagoon – Leuven

Take a stroll on the delightful shops along the Bondgenotenlaan. Nearby is this quirky little shop full of drawers, nooks and crannies, all filled with sequins, beads, buttons, ribbons and more.

Ravenstraat 81, Leuven.

4. Paté du chef – Mechelen

A trendy shop selling original keepsakes and memorabilia from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Situated by the banks of the river Dijle on the Vismarkt. Located in a characterful house and objects are scattered all over in no particular order.

Vismarkt 24, Mechelen

5. The Chocolate Line - Bruges

This is no ordinary chocolate shop. The owner, Dominique Persoone creates innovative chocolate concoctions with ingredients such as chilli peppers, peas cauliflower and even cheese…It all sounds terrible but wait until you try!

Katelijnestraat, Bruges

6. Daniel Ost – Florist - Brussels

Even if you don’t buy any flowers here, a visit to this beautifully designed “Art Nouveau” shop is worth visiting. Flower displays are made into impressive art forms which adorn an already beautiful façade.

Koningstraat13, Brussels

Danielost.be

7. Labels Inc – Antwerp

A small “tucked away” shop that sells catwalk clothes and other designer wear at the fraction of the original price.

Aalmoeezeinerstraat 4, Antwerp

8. De Kaarsengieterij – Bruges

A speciality candle shop which designs and makes candles to order. All their designs are handmade and hand painted for weddings, christenings, anniversaries or for any occasion in general.

St Amandsstraat 30, Bruges

Dekaarsengieterij.be

9. Priem – Ghent

A real blast from the past with the most retro-seventies papers to the latest “must-have” wall coverings. Remember wallpaper is back in fashion and visitors come from far and wide to buy really unique wall coverings here.

Zuivelbrugstraat 1, Ghent

10. Pompoen - Ostend

A second-hand clothes shop which sells nothing but the best in the name of designer brands. International and Flemish brands are sold for affordable prices.

Iseghemlaan 80, Ostend

For further information, log on to Visitflanders.co.uk.