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Berlin’s best vintage: 1980s-1990s

This is where Berlin’s Nina Hagen acolytes and Kate Moss clones go to get their nostalgic fashion fix. Sequined colour-blocked sweaters and perfectly acid washed denim at these shops will take you all the way from “Material Girl” to "Miss World”.

Image for Berlin's best vintage: 1980s-1990s
Photo by Maia Schoenfelder

This is where Berlin’s Nina Hagen acolytes and Kate Moss clones go to get their nostalgic fashion fix. Sequined colour-blocked sweaters and perfectly acid washed denim at these shops will take you all the way from “Material Girl” to “Miss World”.

Made in Berlin €€

Although the majority of the clothing is not “made in Berlin” and its sister stores, Colours and Garage, are mostly secondhand, this shop with two locations is a surprising haven for vintage finds. Stock from the 1960s-1990s syncs up with current trends and easily beats faux-retro shops like American Apparel when it comes to quality and value.

Highlights include a pair of snakeskin pumps (€35), a black-and-white polka dot knee-length skirt (€15), a pearl-coloured Escada Blazer (€30) and a multitude of big fur and faux fur coats (€40).

At the Neue Schönhauser Straße branch, the atmosphere is friendly, and the back of the store holds a huge walk-in closet filled with shelves of colour-coordinated shoes in styles ranging from velvet slippers and silk ballet flats to patent leather hooker heels and black suede creepers.

Friedrichstr. 114A, Mitte, Mon-Fri 10-19, Sat 12-20 | Neue Schönhauser Str. 19, Mitte. Mon-Sat 12-20

Sing Blackbird €€

This yuki store on the über-yuki Sanderstraße covers the basics of vintage with an arranged-by-colour collection of simple, beautifully crafted items from the 1980s and 1990s. Sourced mostly from New York and other parts of the US, this small store and cafe houses a collection of refreshingly well-kept, original-condition (tag says if the piece has been altered) American vintage.

Don’t let the made-in-the-USA fool you though: we’re talking way more classy than rockabilly. Found favourites include an amazing black-and-white Marimekko-esque patterned blazer (€25), a pink feathery hat perfect for dress up (€12), a vast selection of vibrantly patterned button-down short-sleeved cotton blouses (€20), and an entire rack dedicated to American jeans and jean jackets.

Sanderstr. 11, Kreuzberg, U-Bhf Schönleinstr., Mon-Sun 10:30-20

Rag and Bone Man €€

This two-room store, tucked away in the side streets of Neukölln boasts beautiful high ceilings and a homey living-room feel with its couches and quilted chairs. And while they occasionally host small concerts, the main event here is the clothing.

Rag and Bone Man has a beautifully handpicked selection of pieces from the 1970s-1990s. We’re talking intricate embellished jackets, shirts with patterns so colourful and fresh, they put the Prince of Bel-Air to shame, and to round it all off, an ever-changing €15-20 rack to fulfil all of your sequin shirt and colourful sweater needs.

We loved the gold-studded quilted leather jacket, tribal-patterned pumps and soft black leather backpack reminiscent of the good old Cruel Intentions days.

Briesestr. 9, Neukölln, U-Bhf Karl-Marx-Str., Tue-Sat 12-19.