Here’s a store that requires no introduction, but we’ll provide one anyway: having been thrust into the spotlight in 2016 when Sarah Jessica Parker graced the store by buying a €30 black dress that she then donned at an HBO event, instantly cementing the shop as one of Madrid’s premier vintage venues.
The lovely assistant I spoke to when I visited said Parker’s visit sparked a media frenzy of interest in the store, so, of course, its treasure trove of vintage pieces has been extensively catalogued on blogs, websites and in magazines ad nauseam. Still, we felt we would be remiss if we didn’t include it on our blog as well — and we are so glad we did.
Williamsburg is, unsurprisingly, in the heart of Malsaña, Madrid’s hipster-with-a-capital-H neighbourhood. It’s nestled among a slew of similarly inviting vintage stores on Calle Velarde; a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Tribunal Metro stop.
A headless mannequin sporting an eye-catching coat and a large paper bag advertising a “Super Sale – Everything from €3 to €5” greets you as you step in through a bright red door and into Williamsburg. The store is a narrow tunnel of white brick crammed full of delicious fur coats, gangster-style hats, leather bags, dresses, shoes and every other clothing article you can imagine — each lovingly selected and most in near-perfect condition.
A couple of choice pieces are displayed on the walls while the rest occupy long racks full of vintage goodness, broken up now and then with displays boasting jewellery, hats and other accessories. A couple of Alphonse Mucha prints dot the wallpapered walls and next to the till there’s even a mini dressing room with a giant mirror you can use to judge if you should take those sexy embroidered shoes home with you (you should).
After perusing the front racks and petting Williamsburg’s impressive collection of furs, I sidled to the back of the shop to check out the hardcore bargains: one rack full of €5 threads and another stacked with €3 finds. Unable to resist the suede elbow patches, I paid an unbelievable €3 for a clotted cream-colored wool and alpaca jumper.
I can’t imagine that there is a single negative review of Williamsburg and it’s evident why: the sheer range of clothing and accessories, combined with the warm customer service cosy ambience and jaw-dropping prices will ensure you never set foot in an H&M again.
Venue: Williamsburg – http://www.williamsburgcloset.com
Visited: February 13, 2017
Address: Calle Velarde 4, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Contact: 647 51 39 11
Open: Monday – Sunday from 11.00 to 21.00
Seamless. 
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