Belanja Murah di Berlin.....

Berlin is not the first capital city one thinks of when it comes to great shopping. Coming from Paris, where couture is like caffeine and well-heeled Parisians are part of the cityscape, fashion in Berlin seems categorically different.

Yet for those seeking something unique, the city is rich with second-hand and vintage shops, offering a huge range of styles that reflect the cultural changes Berlin went through during the twentieth century, from the decadent Weimar Republic to the turbulent reunification years. Prices vary widely — you can pick things up from as little as 5 euros up to 150 euros. Bartering is possible, depending on the shop.

The trendy Prenzlauer berg area in eastern Berlin is a hub for vintage shopping, comparable to Greenwich Village or Notting Hill but without the inflated price tags.

Kastanienalle, known as ‘‘casting alley’’ is a good starting point for shoppers. People-watching is highly recommended — kick back at the uber cool café 103 on the corner of Zionskirchstrasse. The adjoining streets, notably Schönehauser Allee and Oderberger Strasse are also hotspots for bargain hunters. Shops brim with displays of leather boots suspended from rails, sorted by size; there are many colorful shirts and print dresses, as well as decorative objects, and the odd Bauhaus inspired piece of furniture. Shoppers could pick up a retro Adidas jacket, for example, for around 10 euros (Gek yaaaa).

A couple of shops on Weiner Strasse in the Kreuzberg district have a predominance of Tiki paraphernalia, with Hawaiian shirts that would make Magnum P.I. blush! All second-hand shops have a surplus of the ubiquitous army jacket and leather goods. However be prepared to rummage.

If second hand is not your thing, you can head down from Prenzlauer berg, towards Mitte, where Mulackstrasse is home to the German designer boutique LaLa Berlin. Their signature knits might be soft and light but don’t expect to find a bargain! Further along the street is a hip design store call Star Styling, with a mix of silk shirts, knits and accessories.

Thrift shopping hardly conjures up the Berlin of Dietrich’s day but young and hip eternally Das ist Berlin.

Thanks to : The herald tribune...