Vienna Vintage Tour - Shopping with a clean conscience
14.07.2020
Fabrics, patterns and cuts from days past are not only in vogue again, but also contribute to protecting our environment. That being said, sustainable fashion comes at a price: second-hand-shoppers often need to spend more time and money on their clothes. Read here, how you can visit Vienna's best vintage shops and, in spite of time pressure, and even admire some sights on your way. A contribution by Anna Flaschberger
Ready to discover exclusive fashion and Viennese sights with us? Join us on the Vienna Vintage Tour! We start at the notable Karlsplatz and make our way through the Naschmarkt until we reach the largest and most famous shopping street in Vienna: Mariahilferstraße. You can find all the big international labels here; however, we will show you the hidden gems for the best vintage pieces. Our final stop is Museumsquartier, where cultural, as well as culinary enrichment awaits us. On our way, we’ll pass rustic courtyards and decorative staircases, which reflect the urban flair Vienna is famous for. Vintage-lovers will definitely find what they’re looking for in one of our selected second-hand shops.
Karlsplatz – the real heart of Vienna
The gardens with red summer flowers, the mighty domes of the Karlskirche and the innocent-ringing ice-cream cart in the Resselpark at Karlsplatz, make it difficult to draw any conclusions about its eventful past. The Karlskirche was built in the Baroque style and has become one of Vienna’s famous landmarks. It is a memorial of the plague epidemic which struck Vienna long ago. Later, an underground station was constructed at the square where three lines (U1, U2 and U4) intersect. Until this day, Karlsplatz is still the only place in Vienna with three lines in one underground building.
Various cultural, educational, as well as art institutions surround the public space, including the Musikverein, the Künstlerhaus, the Wiener Secession and the Historical Museum, to name a few. Moreover, Karlsplatz owes its majestic charm to the buildings of the University of Technology, which are scattered around the square. “Karlsplatz is not a square, it’s an area,” said Otto Wagner, one of Vienna’s most renowned architects and city planners. The Austrian author, Hans Weigel, is also very fond of this place: “Karlsplatz is the real heart of Vienna.”
The Karlsplatz even has a pond in front of it. © FT/Anna Flaschberger
The Naschmarkt and its Temptations
Only a few minutes’ walk further, we reach the largest inner-city market of Vienna: the Naschmarkt. If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t be disappointed. As the name suggests (“naschen” means “to snack” in German), sweets, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, fish and meat are all offered and traded here. The Naschmarkt is especially known for its specialties from various countries. A few years ago, many stalls were converted into restaurants which increased the selection of dishes and drinks from all over the world. Just a friendly warning: it can be dangerous for hungry visitors. There is no escape from the scent of spices and freshly prepared food. Moreover, retailers like to offer free samples of their products, so you might want to schedule some additional time to explore this spot!
Fresh vegetables and fruit are part of the extensive range here. © FT/Anna Flaschberger
In the 19th century, Naschmarkt was originally a farmer’s market, where primarily dairy products were traded. Historic stalls remained during World War I and are recognized today as historical monuments. Due to the size and range of goods at the Naschmarkt, there is always a hustle and bustle going on. In order to escape the hectic crowds, we head to Laimgrubengasse.
Luxurious vintage fashion at Fräulein Kleidsam
It’s time for our first stop-to-shop: Fräulein Kleidsam. The Art Nouveau tiles and the iron spiral staircase in the shop creates the perfect atmosphere to riffle through the vintage pieces. Ursula Wagner, the owner of Fräulein Kleidsam, prepares her pieces with care and passion, and prevents the musty smell typical of older pieces. Since 2010, she sells designer fashion and luxury second-hand pieces from the 80’s and 90’s. Unique garments from brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, Moschino and many more, can be found in her shop. The price level of these particular brands is correspondingly high, you can also find lower-priced clothes though.
Ursula regularly drives to Italy in order to find extraordinary pieces for her shop.
© Fräulein Kleidsam/Olesya Parfenyuk, © FT/Anna Flaschberger
Visit her website as well: http://fraeulein-kleidsam.at/
Fillgraderstiege and Raimundhof
On our way to Mariahilferstraße, we pass the Fillgraderstiege. This staircase is considered Viennese Art Nouveau and was named after Marie Anna Fillgrader, who was charitably active here.
The staircase connects Fillgradergasse directly with Mariahilferstraße. © FT/Anna Flaschberger
Before we continue our shopping tour, we stroll through the Raimundhof passageway. The Raimundhof connects several courtyards and staircases of residential buildings. However, it has much more to offer: small bars, cafés and boutiques enliven the courtyard and transform it to a shopping arcade. Despite being connected to Mariahilferstraße, very few tourists find themselves here, making the Raimundhof a great insider tip! In summer, the cool breeze of the passageway is particularly refreshing and invites you to take a deep breath before you continue shopping.
The inner courtyards lure with seats as well as refreshments. © FT/Anna Flaschberger
A visit at Graf & Gräfin
When you’re in Raimundhof, the family business Graf & Gräfin is a must-see. Sabine Klaps founded the Gräfin in 2007; four years later, her daughter, Lena Schindler, and her son, Axel Schindler, opened the Graf directly across. Their products range from leather to print goods, small gifts, jewellery and stationery. Under the label Klein Gräfin, Lena produces home-made jewellery, such as rings, necklaces and bracelets. The perfect souvenir to take home can definitely be found here.
In Graf & Gräfin, lots of small treasures can be found! © Graf & Gräfin
Here you can visit their website: https://www.grafundgraefin.at/
Broad variety in Bootik54
Somewhat remote, but definitely worth a visit, is our next stop-to-shop: Bootik54. The shop is divided into two sides. On the left, accessories, jewellery and bags are displayed, while on the right, you can discover clothing from all over the world. Vintage Denim jackets, training jackets and knitted sweaters with all kinds of extraordinary patterns do justice to your wardrobe. The sheer amount of clothing in the store can easily be overwhelming for inexperienced second-hand shoppers, but the shop is set up to make browsing even more fun.
T-Shirts and accessories are available in all colors in Bootik54! © FT/Anna Flaschberger
Every few months, the shop organizes a “Kiloshop” where you only pay 10€ per kilo of goods. The next one takes place on 4th and 5th September in Neubaugasse 64!
Follow them on Instagram to stay up-to-date: https://www.instagram.com/bootik54/
Time travel made possible by Vintage Fabrik
Back on Mariahilferstraße, we reach our last stop-to-shop of the tour: Vintage Fabrik. The abundant supply of second-hand goods here is similar to that of Bootik54. As far as the eye can see, mounds of jackets, jeans, T-shirts and accessories from the good ol’ days. Apart from that, the shop impresses with its iconic furniture which makes you feel like you’ve travelled back in time to another decade. Due to the large shop area, spread across two floors, Vintage Fabrik is known as Vienna’s “department store for vintage”.
Even the walls of the shop are decorated with vintage pictures and posters. © @mirunagheoca
Final stop at Museumsquartier
Our shopping tour is coming to an end. The “Enzos” – extraordinary seats typical for the Museumsquartier – are just perfect for your much-deserved rest. Fun fact: originally, there used to be an imperial court stall here! These days, this place is surrounded by museums, including the Leopoldmuseum, mumok, Kunsthalle and Architekturzentrum, theatres and numerous cafés.It is the ideal location to relax and discover interesting artefacts, beautiful art and great coffee. And, of course, to admire your newly acquired pieces!
The “Enzos” bring color to the Museumsquartier! © FT/Anna Flaschberger
Anna Flaschberger, FashionTouri editorial team