Madrid Shopping Tips by Krystynn

Name of Shop: Anything Trendy/Hip, Cheap and Affordable!

Large department stores like El Corte Inglés are located in the Puerta del Sol... or along Princesa, Goya and Castellana.

If you coincide your visit with Madrid's major sales e.g. in October, you'll be happy to know that you can get really cheap stuffs! Look out for great Spanish brands like Mango and Zara. These 2 brand names are light years ahead of their competitors from the USA or other European countries.

Mango and Zara outfits are as hip and trendy as those you see on the fashion runways of Milan, Paris or New York (think: Gucci, Versace, Giorgio Armani etc). These 2 Spanish brands have reached iconic status amongst fans in Asia (especially Singapore!), Europe and Australia because they are able to sell their outfits at extremely affordable prices! Expect to pay 50% lesser for these outfits in Spain vis-a-vis countries like France or USA!

** (The latter countries raised the prices of Mango and Zara outfits to such ridiculous levels that it's NOT worth your while to even drop by the shops). ** I am a HUGE Mango and Zara fan and have made it a point to take note of such little details...

Who needs Gucci if you can get a Mango or a Zara for one-tenth of the price? ;-)


What To Pay: If you shop for Spanish products, you can generally expect to pay 40% to 50% lesser than if you were to get it in your own country.

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Theme: Women's Clothes
Directions: From Puerto del Sol (Metro Sol) head north up Calle Montera, Tetuan, or Carmen or West down Calle Arenal.

Name of Shop: Shopping Areas

No, I'm not banishing you to the city of Salamanca! There is a very exclusive district here in Madrid selling designer and luxury products like Chanel, Loewe, DKNY Donna Karan, Gucci, Hermes, Versace amongst others. It is known as SALAMANCA (the district).

What To Buy: Luxury/ Branded products. I'll recommend a few of my favorites (read: polite and charming boutique assistants):

Let's start with:

Chanel
Address: Jose Ortega y Gasset, 14, Madrid 28006 (METRO: Nunez de Bilbao).
I had expected to find really snooty boutique assistants but they were surprisingly very helpful towards me. I use Chanel skin care and make-up and because I bought a few items, they even gave me a few skin care samples. I'll definitely go back to this boutique again.

DKNY
Address: Velázquez, 28, Madrid 28001 (METRO: Velázquez)
This boutique stocks the cheaper range of Donna Karan's clothings. Very affordable. I even saw some Spanish school girls coming in here to buy a few dresses! Friendly assistants, great variety of outfits to choose from at an affordable price!

Versace
Address: Jose Ortega y Gasset, 10, Madrid 28006 (METRO: Nunez de Balboa)
Even if the clothings at Versace is not within your budget, fear not! It's OK to browse through the trendiest Versace collections from casual wear to evening gowns! I stood there - riveted.

Gucci
Address: Calle Don Ramon de la Cruz, 2, Madrid 28006 (METRO: Serrano)
I am a BIG fan of Gucci... and managed to grab a lovely pair of sandals which was on sale!


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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: Salamanca...

Name of Shop: Shopping Areas

No, I'm not banishing you to the city of Salamanca! There is a very exclusive district here in Madrid selling designer and luxury products like Chanel, Loewe, DKNY Donna Karan, Gucci, Hermes, Versace amongst others. It is known as SALAMANCA (the district).

What To Buy: Luxury/ Branded products. I'll recommend a few of my favorites (read: polite and charming boutique assistants):

Let's start with:

Chanel
Address: Jose Ortega y Gasset, 14, Madrid 28006 (METRO: Nunez de Bilbao).
I had expected to find really snooty boutique assistants but they were surprisingly very helpful towards me. I use Chanel skin care and make-up and because I bought a few items, they even gave me a few skin care samples. I'll definitely go back to this boutique again.

DKNY
Address: Velázquez, 28, Madrid 28001 (METRO: Velázquez)
This boutique stocks the cheaper range of Donna Karan's clothings. Very affordable. I even saw some Spanish school girls coming in here to buy a few dresses! Friendly assistants, great variety of outfits to choose from at an affordable price!

Versace
Address: Jose Ortega y Gasset, 10, Madrid 28006 (METRO: Nunez de Balboa)
Even if the clothings at Versace is not within your budget, fear not! It's OK to browse through the trendiest Versace collections from casual wear to evening gowns! I stood there - riveted.

Gucci
Address: Calle Don Ramon de la Cruz, 2, Madrid 28006 (METRO: Serrano)
I am a BIG fan of Gucci... and managed to grab a lovely pair of sandals which was on sale!


Leave a Comment

Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: Salamanca...