From discovering old things to give new life to finding newness in the way we dress or decorate, vintage shopping in a different city often gives me fresh styling for thought. Brussels is bureaucratic yet bizarre, self-confident yet unshowy, and one of my favourite places for vintage. Its markets have yielded some of my most special home finds, while the pre-loved designer boutiques and wearable antique fashion are up there with Paris for me.
Style watching in the characterful Saint-Gilles neighbourhood
To give you a sense of the eclecticism you can look forward to, my last trip began with Art Deco character at Brasserie Verschueren in the Saint-Gilles neighbourhood. A woman wearing a teddy bear strapped to her head like a bonnet, and another woman with a single long diamanté earring grazing her collarbone, instantly caught my eye. Moments like these, whether you see ideas to try yourself, or just enjoy the expression of individuality people make through the things they adorn with, give me a renewed sense of my own taste.
Vintage Brussels Boutiques & Markets
Brussels vintage window dressing
Let’s dive into the markets first, as here you do need to start early and dig in. Below are my regular favourites, but it is always worth checking street markets for your dates, as I was lucky to be in town for the annual Brocante Rue de Flandre flea market a few years back. This is a great way to shop from locals’ homes and wardrobes.
Jeu De Balle Flea Market
Place du Jeu de Balle 79, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Open every day, but buzzier towards the end of the week and on weekends
Vintage Brussels at its best at the Jeu De Balle Flea Market
Here you can find everything from vintage art to nearly new kitchenware, secondhand fashion, and some truly special antiques. At first glance, you might not spot any treasure, but it is worth being methodical as you explore tables of trinkets, blankets laid out to display glassware and ceramics, and cardboard boxes brimming with wares ripe for a rummage. If you spot something, I advise you to hold onto it while you make your decision, because a pair of candelabras was bought from in front of me before. We found a valuable antique silver-plated duck wine decanter in a box on one visit. We got the decanter for €20, and I’ve seen them selling online for hundreds. The bargain adds to the thrill, but regardless of the speculative value, it is one of my favourite characterful pieces in our kitchen.
Jeu De Balle Flea Market & the antique duck decanter in its new home
Sablon Antiques Market
Place du Grand Sablon, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Open Saturday and Sunday
The Sablon area boasts some gorgeous boutiques and restaurants, and on weekends, the Sablon Antiques Market is a must. It typically features a range, from fine jewellery to fashion jewellery, small home accessories, furniture, fashion, art, and ceramics from professional antiques dealers. One of my favourite finds here was a bakelite memory photo ring that I bought from Michils Carolin years back. I loved it hard and wore it every day until sadly, I snapped it. People often complimented me on the ring, and I always have an eye out for another one like it.
Vintage memory ring bought at the Sablon Antiques Market
Les Enfants d’Edouard
Av. Louise 175, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
I left Les Enfants d’Edouard with a pair of rainbow espadrilles from a collab between Missoni and Castañer
A luxury consignment boutique where the stunning interior suits the Bruxellois’ wardrobes you’ll be perusing. Yet shopping in the grand setting of Les Enfants d’Edouard does not feel intimidating. Founded by two friends with fathers named Edouard, a visit feels like the owners’ story—a friendly one. The collection of clothes and accessories is elegant with a unique edge. Contemporary Belgian brands sit comfortably with super brands including Dior, Chanel, and Hermès. Pre-loved pieces make up most of the collection, which is peppered with iconic 00s ready-to-wear, such as Tom Ford’s Gucci era, and a touch of true vintage designer pieces (more than 30 years old).
Mademoiselle l’Ancien
Rue Haute 127, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Choosing what to try on at Mademoiselle l’Ancien
Mademoiselle L’Ancien makes antique clothes wearable with contemporary-wardrobe-ready rails of womenswear, menswear, and even kidswear. Whether you find 19th-century undergarments or 1970s knitwear, the pieces have a real attention to detail and natural materials. At the back of the shop, you’ll find their workshop, where they give new life to quality old things – completing their mission “to offer the possibility to feel, touch and wear the marvellous.”
I bought this silk slip skirt, which feels both elegant and comforting, and a soft cream cotton 50s mini underdress.
Back home, I’ve been living in my slip skirt this summer. Excited to try it with boots and the taupe 80s leather jacket I got at Atchoum (which features further on in my list).
Ramon & Valy
Rue des Teinturiers 19, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
I would argue that a visit to Ramon & Valy is equally as essential as a visit to Grand Place, the city’s opulent central square, which is less than a 5-minute walk away. The window displays are playful, featuring chic styling and characters ranging from Barbie to Bambi. Inside, you can take a pew on vintage theatre seats while you try on shoes and discover the unique collection of clothes and accessories ranging from vintage to pre-loved contemporary pieces. You’ll find pieces by names you know and designers you’ll be glad to discover.
Isabelle Bajart
Rue des Chartreux 25, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Isabelle Bajart and the vintage Celine boots I bought here a few years ago
Every time I walk into Isabelle Bajart, I wish my wardrobe looked like their rails: sparse yet full of flavour, beautifully mixed yet colour-coded, with a hint of 70s Celine. This is your stop for vintage and pre-loved designer clothes, bags, belts, and silk scarves with a sense of timelessness. The original pieces I bought here set a mood board for the season ahead, so I always leave feeling excited to wear what I found and revisit what I already own with fresh eyes. On my last visit, I picked up the styling trick to button a shirt cuff from the other side to create a tighter fit around the wrist. A handy hint for this oversized Gianni Versace 1991 men’s runway shirt that I’ll wear as a dress.
90s Versace shirt cuff styling in the changing room at Isabelle Bajart
Galerie des Minimes
Rue des Minimes 23, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Downstairs at Galerie des Minimes
Whether you intend to ship larger pieces home or not, Galerie des Minimes is worth a visit for its atmospheric setting and diverse room sets. You can, of course, find smaller pieces here too, with a variety of stands filled with home accessories, and cabinets of curiosities. From Art Deco to 80s decor and Murano lighting – Galerie des Minimes ticks my vintage interiors boxes, and is so eclectic it is likely to tick yours too.
Upstairs at Galerie des Minimes
Atchoum
Rue des Renards 20, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Here you can fulfill your upcycling goals with beads, buttons, and ribbons in the front, and retro homeware and vintage clothes in the back. My last visit yielded a rich mix of 80s leather jackets.
At the back of Atchoum you’ll find vintage homeware and fashion
Still on my list to visit, but closed on Mondays when I was last in the city, are Heterodoxa, Lalla’s Vintage, and La Fripotheque. Let me know what you think if you make it to any of these before me. In the meantime, I hope your own vintage treasure hunts in Brussels bring you as much joy as mine have.
© Photographs Reclaimed Woman