Vintage isn’t just a feast for the eyes: it’s sustainable, frequently affordable and delightfully one-of-a-kind. And the thrill of the hunt is half the fun. Here are our picks of vintage shops with sharp curation and friendly faces. First up is Madó, a place to go when you are looking to give your wardrobe some class. Owner Sandra’s handpicked selection leans into timeless Italian pieces and extravagant picks. With her sharp eye for fashion, she curates everything herself and will help you assemble an outfit that feels very “you”. The shop also offers a small but beautiful selection of furniture and lamps – a must for all lovers of 20th-century design. Next up, Final Layer is a time capsule of a shop run by Constantine, a passionate and knowledgeable fashion enthusiast who personally hunts for each item and knows the story behind every piece. It’s specialized in rarities from the past century, with a focus on quality and uniqueness over brand names – though you’ll still find gems from houses like Valentino and Versace. If you’re after a one-of-a-kind treasure, this is your spot.

What sets Spatz apart is its humble beginnings: founders Leonard and Philipp started with just a clothing rack outside their house. A pop-up opportunity eventually landed them in their dream space, and three years later they’re happily settled in. Even with its generous footprint, Spatz keeps things relaxed and unpretentious. Every piece is hand-selected and imported from Italy, and the range is broad: you’ll find outfits for your next Klubnacht just as easily as something classy for a candlelit dinner. Finally, Dear Berlin isn’t a vintage shop in the strictest sense, but it earns an honorary mention for its spirit. The core of the store’s offering is pre-loved designer garments waiting for a new home. It was founded in 2014 by Inga, who started out selling her and her friends’ wardrobes in an effort to make fashion more sustainable. Eleven years later, the shop retains a loyal customer base. It’s a cherished spot to give special pieces a new home.

Text & photos: Daniel Pecsi

Madó, Eisenacher Str.76, 10823 Berlin–Schöneberg; map

@madomodadesign

Final Layer, Prenzlauer Allee 30, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map

@finallayer.berlin

Spatz Vintage, Sanderstr.22, 12047 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@spatz_berlin

Dear Berlin, Stargarder Str.9, 10437 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map

@dear_berlin_secondhand

Sometimes it’s the provinces that bring the clearest vision. Raised among workshops and construction sites in Bavaria, the founders of fashion label OBS learned early on that good design starts where materials and hands meet. With a carpenter father and a seamstress mother, this awareness was instilled in them from birth. Today, OBS is based in Augsburg — away from the major fashion capitals — building a system that combines craftsmanship, durability, and design. It all started with a rectangle. In 2019, the label launched its first design, a leather messenger bag with a gusseted bottom. Since then, their portfolio has grown, and so has their ambition. Every product is developed in close collaboration with artisans, with each idea tested, hammered, sewn, or welded in workshops before it makes it into the collection. OBS describes their designs as a “toolbox for people with a creative drive”: bags, shoes, jewelry, and soon, furniture. A vertical design system that knows no genre or gender boundaries. Throughout, they remain straightforward, repeatedly drawing inspiration from toolboxes and construction sites. Their latest runway looked exactly like one, concrete mixer included.

The T-shirts are printed with detailed drawings of Fischer dowels and slogans that evoke hardware stores or craft workshops, with the OBS logo appearing repeatedly, accompanied by a Rams-style brand motto: Form / Function / Quality. Every architect’s wet dream: a designer blueprint roll and a leather case for a set square. On the webshop, alongside product photos, find technical drawings and three-view projections complete with dimension chains. Their latest bag design is called “Utensil”. Humor doesn’t officially play a role at OBS, the team says. But anyone familiar with the set-square bag or designer ear protection knows that sometimes function turns into the punchline all on its own.

Text: Inga Krumme / Photos: Maximilian Semlinger

OBS

Find the full collection here.

@obs__official