There is something special about taking home something you know that had another owner, another life, another home… but it is even more special when you take it home from another country or city!
If you take one of these particular souvenirs from Porto, every time you look at that object, or you use that garment, it will take you back in time to those magnificent vacation days you spent in the undefeated city! For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the best vintage shops in Porto to visit this 2022.
WHY BUYING SECOND HAND IS A WONDERFUL IDEA
You contribute to less pollution of our beloved planet -did you know that the fast fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world?
And plus, they have everything that was once in fashion and is trendy again. Because we only reinvent fashion over and over! Everything that was fashionable once, always comes back! What your parents used to wear, what your partner pulled out of the closet and you no longer have at home… oh well, suddenly you see these things in every store in the city. Sometimes, you find it cheaper in secondhand stores.
VINTAGE SHOPS IN PORTO TO FIND GOOD THRIFTING ITEMS
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MON PÉRE
It’s a kind of Camden Town small town, the famous London area with more vintage shops and markets per square foot. Inside you’ll find colorful shirts, nightgowns, jewelry, coats, turbans, skirts, glasses and even swimsuits. It is too easy to fall in love with several pieces. The store is located in Cedofeita, one of the coolest Porto Neighborhoods, also known as bairro das Artes (the art’s district) so you definitely should check it out.
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MAO ESQUERDA
Asian vintage, especially Japanese, is the distinguishing feature of the “mão esquerda” (left hand) in Poveiros. In the store, there are long velvet skirts, plain or embroidered hats, leather jackets in various colors, dresses, fur coats and more.
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TRICIRCULO
The number 26 of Doutor Artur Magalhães Basto street in Porto is a true paradise for those who like vintage clothes. This is where the Tricirculo store is located, a brand created by Natacha Braga that has all the beautiful and classic pieces from the 80’s and 90’s. There are knitwear, shirts, jackets, flat boots, jeans, sunglasses, vintage fur coats and even an exclusive swimwear collection. A few times a year, Tricirculo goes to Lisbon to participate in “Anjos 70”, the Seventies fair.
Credit: @tricirculo
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HUMANA PORTUGAL
Humana has quite a statement: “Secondhand fashion for everyone for a more sustainable planet! Because the most sustainable garment is already made.” This is a foundation that promotes the protection of the environment since 1998, giving a second life to clothing and developing a cooperation program in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Credit: @humana_secondhand_pt
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WILD HEART
In addition to the accessories of all colors and shapes, there is a large panoply of jackets and shirts with an abundance of tracksuits, jackets, jeans and dresses.
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CHICLETE SHOP
Since opening in May 2015, this store has become a must-stop for those who pass by Rua da Firmeza in Porto. The store is not very big, but it is full of second-hand items. There are, for example, denim and other 80’s shirts. Those looking for old shoe models will also find a wide variety.
Credit: @chicleteshop
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UR
The store name stands for “Used Recycled”, meaning here you find hundreds of second-hand parts. In 2014, the project went from online to a physical space, in Bonjardim street, and since then, it has been a success. In UR.com, in addition to the vintage pieces mainly from the 80’s and 90’s, you will also find other retro proposals made in the studio.
Credit: @urbrand.insta
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O SOTÃO DA TIA BECAS
Paulo Machado is one of the best-known collectors here in the city and is linked to one of the busiest shops in this department, “O sotão da tia becas” (aunt Becas loft). His daughter opened this family business six years ago. Paulo says: “These are all things our family has bought 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago… My father was already a collector. It’s just crazy,”. The stuffing runs from the 19th century to the 1950s, and includes books, toponymic Old Port plates, clocks, typewriters, toys, postcards, all sorts of paperwork (like a 1936 Olympic map of Berlin), and bottles.
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ARMAZEN
This is a huge warehouse antique shop with a lot of old merchandising and traditional things from furniture to magazines and decorations. If you don’t buy anything, at least you’ll take a few good pictures for your Instagram for sure! Make your visit even better by sipping a glass of beer or Porto wine in their terrace bar.
Credit: @armazem93
As you can see, Porto has enough stores to satisfy the visitors’ shopping wishes, even if it’s not the first city that comes to mind in terms of vintage stores. We hope you enjoyed these insider tips from Cats Porto Hostel team!
Happy buying!!