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 It
is undeniably the shopping capital of the Netherlands. Besides the
diverse mix of luxury, trendy, antique and modern shopping, what
makes retail in Amsterdam unique is a combination of premier international
fashion houses and exclusive local Dutch designer brands. Also,
refreshing are the exceptionally distinct flavours of the different
shopping districts in the city.
Being chic and yet down-to-earth, Amsterdam allows you to shop in
the market or in a luxury boutique at equal ease. Anything goes!
If understated is a style, then that is exactly what you get while
walking on the streets of Amsterdam. And although the canalled city
is not renowned as one of Europe’s more fashionable destinations,
it clearly makes a style statement and offers ample opportunities
for high-end retail therapy. A visit to a few of the many shopping
districts in the city should satiate any shopping fantasy you might
have.
 The
fanciest shopping in Amsterdam is located around the Museum District
in the city centre. This means that you can enjoy works of the grand
masters of the 17th century and experience the mastery of fashion
houses of the 21st century in one block. So, go ahead and splurge
on luxury and prestige brands in these areas.
Pieter Cornelisz (P.C.) Hooftstraat
This street runs parallel to the Van Gogh Museum and offers
truly high-end, albeit wishful, window shopping for some. For others,
this is where high-brow label hunting comes to a fulfilling end.
The P.C, as the locals call it, is a cobbled street flanked by what
could be called Amsterdam’s Fifth Avenue. This place is home
to high-end brands like Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton,
Chopard, Cartier, Montblanc and Henckels as well as several boutiques
selling other luxury labels.
Oud Zuid (Old South)
 This
district offers a sophisticated afternoon of shopping with affluent
locals. If you venture beyond the P.C. Hooftstraat, with its international
luxury brands, to the Oud Zuid neighbourhood, you find yourself
rewarded with very exclusive and smart local clothing, accessories
and gift stores. The Oud Zuid is made up of a few different streets
which, like the rest of the city, are within quick walking distance
of each other.
Van Baerlestraat
The Van Baerlestraat features chic names like Pauw, Vanilla,
The Society Shop and Oilily for children’s fashion. It lies
on the main tram line connecting the Central Station, Vondelpark
and the museums. The Cornelis Schuytstraat, running perpendicular
to the Van Baerlestraat, also happens to be one of Amsterdam’s
nicest residential areas. This is the place where television and
movie stars, old and new money and even royals, agree to meet for
coffee and sit at street cafés sipping champagne all afternoon
amidst conversations of second homes in Monaco. The Cornelius Schut
is the brand new hub for ‘Dutch Design’, focussed on fancy
clothes ranging from evening wear to luxury lingerie. This street
is clearly becoming more popular than P.C. Hooftstraat. For the
enlightened shoppers who recognise true exclusivity, this is ‘the’
place to be in Amsterdam for high-end shopping.
 De
Negen Straatjes (The Nine Little Streets)
The scenic and quaint Negen Straatjes straddle the Herengracht
(Gentlemen’s Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal) and
Prinsengracht (Princes’ Canal) in Amsterdam’s Central
Canal Ring. They offer an amalgamation of original and diverse selection
of stores. You will love strolling through the hand-laid brickwork
lanes, dotted with designer boutiques, cozy cafés, vintage
stores and specialty shops such as maternity shops, kitchen stores,
organic super markets and all-wood toy shops.
De Jordaan
This district offers a trove of hidden treasures scattered
through a ‘funky’ Amsterdam neighbourhood. It’s fun
to spend an afternoon getting lost in the maze of tiny streets in
the heart of this bohemian-yuppie area, where you stumble upon second-hand
stores, artist’s studios, small boutiques and galleries. The
adjoining Haarlemmerstraat is a place for boutiques like Tuentje
for kids, and Trivaldi for Spanish designs for women and the best
eateries to indulge your taste buds after a hard day’s shopping.
 Spiegelkwartier
(Mirror Quarter)
Mostly famous for antiquing and scouting local artists, this
area is located on the pretty little canal, Nieuwe Spiegelgracht
just north of the Rembrandt House Museum. You’ll find an endless
array of beautiful antique shops with art, furniture, Dutch delftware,
prints, maps and books. Amsterdam is an artist’s paradise and
the Spiegelkwartier, with numerous art galleries located in 300-year-old
canal houses, reveals the best of the European art world for both
art aficionados and professional artists.
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