Fashion, Madrid

Area North and East of Parque El Retiro is where the upper classes reside. It is called Salamanca. (Do not confuse with a city of the same name.)

There are many stores where your girlfriend or wife could buy stuff for a surprisingly reasonable price. Stores belong mainly to Spanish designers: Mango, Sfera, Berushka (or something close to that), and they are both fashionable and reasonably priced.

Alternatively, you can go to a department store. The main one is called Corte Ingles and its main store is located on Puerta del Sol square. But prices there are going to be a lot higher.

I have no shop to list other than Zara. I would just recommend not making the mistake that i did and not shope when you can - i was concerned with space in my luggage and figured i would do all of my shopping in Paris. Bad idea. I should have done more shopping in Spain. This trip has me rethinking my entire wardrobe!

What to buy: Clothing, shoes, anything you can't get in the states.

What to pay: It's worth it!

This is where Zara dumps all their previous season stuff, or damaged goods. I'm not kidding, you will find damaged goods here being sold, so please beware. Check each garment carefully before buying it. They also sell current season stuff from their basic line, like tees, tanks for summer or sweaters and coats for winter. If you are patient, you will find a lot!

What to buy: Bargain items, for example I bought a simple but elegant below the knee black winter coat for 11.99 euros. So cheap! It looked like 99 euros, i swear!

What to pay: not much

Well, its actually a regular Mango store in Calle Fuencarral, but don't miss the second floor! Thats where the outlet shopping is! They usually sell past season's stuff at a very discounted price, I've bought pants that are between 3-6 euros, tops for similar. Of course you have to really look well. Plus when its sort of off season, the place can be quite empty.
I'm not sure how they work, but I think if its currently Spring season, the regular Mango sells Spring 06 stuff while second floor sells Spring 05.

What to buy: Gosh, you can buy a lot here! 3 euro pants, 5 euro shades, I would say, if its around 20, its on the pricey side.

We didn't make it, but this a tip how not to do. So here's what you should do:

1. Take a bus from the centrum of Madrid(it takes you to shops and you don't miss it), because if you go by train to Las Rozas there's no sign how to get to the outlets.

2. If you take the train take a taxi to the outlets, because we asked instructions how to get to the shops and we never didn't get there

3. Don't take the train because many taxi drivers didn't know where the shops are!

So these advices are for people who don't speak fluent spanish and don't know the neighborhood of Las Rozas.

What to buy: In Las rozas there's designer brands about 60% reduce.

What to pay: Whole day....or 5 hours.

Calle de serrano an Calle de José Cortega y Gasset are the main shoppingstreets in Salamanca. This is a more exclusive neighbourhood in Madrid with all the big brands, Tod's, Versace but also with Massimo Dutti, El Corte Inglès.

What to buy: Whatever your purse can spare...

This is the place to be if you love Zara, they sell the collection of last season and clothes with little mistakes (like a button that's missing). It lookes really messy, but it's worth it.
I bought some Zara t-shirts for only 4€.

I wouldn't generally recommend department stores here in the States, but I've had fashion success with them in both Brazil and Spain, go figure. To my amazement, the shoe department at El Corte Ingles rocked. Shoes are critically important. These were the store brand as well, only 59euros. Back in the good ole' days when that still meant $59USD. ;-)))

What to buy: mmmmm, SHOES, clothes, it's all good!