Paulien Riemis is the creative mind behind POLIENNE, a personal style diary which focuses on everyday outfits, interior inspiration and travel stories. Paulien has been living in the centre of Antwerp for several years and likes to shop for affordable and wearable clothes. She describes her style as comfy, feminine, with a hint of tomboy.
Arket
One of the more recent additions to the Scandinavian H&M family is Arket. This one-stop shop caters to the entire family: in addition to contemporary looks for men, women and children, they also sell nice Scandi home deco items and even serve lunch! Their shop in a magnificent building in Huidevettersstraat is ideally located for a quick coffee or a healthy wrap while shopping! And afterwards, I can’t stop myself from browsing their lovely blazers and dresses… Oh, one last tip: I always find the cutest baby gifts at Arket!
Sissy-Boy
If you like a lavish and eclectic interior, then Sissy-Boy is the place to shop. Think palm-tree shaped floor lights, shiny velvet armchairs and opulent gold flatware. The more, the merrier! Besides home dec, this Dutch concept store also sells women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, the most beautiful bathroom soaps and a unique range of stationery. You can spend hours browsing this shop, searching for the perfect accessory for your home or wardrobe. PS: Sissy-Boy is also the reason why my collection of Christmas tree ornaments has been growing at a steady space...
STAY Antwerp
Two sisters combined their passion for all things fashion and lifestyle in a nice shop: STAY Antwerp is here to stay! The bright space in Nationalestraat feels like home. Here you can shop for a mix of surprising Belgian and international brands, which are both trendy and affordable. Check the shoe and jewellery collections, to add a final flourish to your look. I went with a lovely, long yellow dress with puff sleeves.
RIOT
If affordable and sustainable is your motto, vintage is the way to go. While Antwerp has several great vintage options, one of my faves can be found in lively Lange Koepoortstraat: RIOT. This spacious vintage shop is well organised, making it easier for you to spot the perfect pair of cowboy boots or those cool 90s denim shorts. RIOT mainly sells 90s and 00s fashion items, which are easy to style in a more contemporary way. Check their Instagram for inspiration and previews of their new collections.
More inspiration
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If you like vintage then we reveal the best addresses to shop for vintage clothing and furniture and where to spot vintage locations in Antwerp.