Louvain isn’t really known as a fashion capital, such a shame!
Louvain made it to television @ VIJF!
Els Thibeau visited Leuven and shows what a fun shoppingcity it can be. Patio Fashion gives cool advice, brings the newest trends and isn’t shy to show off with some popping colours!
A little ray of sunlight @ Luz de Lux
Parijsstraat 40
Price range: 69-190
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Luz de Lux, a small but stunning store in the Parijsstraat offers a broad collection of elegant, feminine clothes. Barbara, the charming store owner, always wanted to run her own clothing shop since she was a teenager. When she finally had the chance to fulfill that dream, she took it and started Luz de Lux which means ‘in the light of luxury’ in Spanish.
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
All the clothes in the store were chosen by Barbara. She believes that she has to stay close to her own style and only picks out pieces from a certain intuition. Furthermore, she tries to provide everything that would fit into a ‘concept store’. This means that you can select an entire outfit from accessories to shoes without even leaving the store!
We really loved the collection and would describe it as young, elegant fashion without extremes and therefore not high fashion per se but very feminine and absolutely wearable for day and night.
Charming charity @ Kapstok
Mechelsestraat 32
Kapstok is one of the many second hand shops in Louvain but this one is a little bit special. All the clothing, linen and accessories that are on sale were donated and the profits go to charity, namely CAW. Centrum Algemeen Welzijnswerk or Centre for General Welfare helps people who are going through a rough time, going from problems in their household to victims of violence and such.
At first, the story may seem a bit messy but if you look closely, some true treasures are to be found! And since every item in the shop was submitted to a sharp eye for flaws, cleanliness and durability, you just can’t go wrong. We support the cause and will drop by this store from time to time.
Handbag palouzza @ Ascopa
Mechelsestraat 31
Price range: 10-150
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Ascopa, Latin for ‘sjakos’ or purse, is definitely our new favorite place for purses and bags.
Every single piece in the store comes from Florence and is handpicked by the owner herself. Even more, she designed some of the best selling bags on shelf! Ascopa is absolutely the place to be for qualitative leather bags, purses, satchels and wallets. Also hats and scarves are to you disposition if you want to mix and match it up.
One of the best-selling and self-designed handbag © Louvain Lifestyle
Party dresses and elegance @ Profiel
Mechelsestraat 37
Price range: 80-3000 (for a very extravagant wedding dress)
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Dresses © Louvain Lifestyle
Profiel is definitely the shop in the Mechelsestraat who just took us by surprise. It’s located in one of the oldest buildings (1691!) in whole Louvain, surviving two World Wars, and just for that alone, it’s already worth a visit. The authentic floors, structure and first floor of the premises are a sight for sore eyes. Regarding the collection, we were equally pleased. Timeless, unique, headstrong and lasting pieces with a touch of retro which can be worn in every season. Furthermore, they offer cocktail and party dresses for each fancy occasion. Another charming feature about this store is that it is run by mother and daughter together. In 1986 Mieke opened Profiel welcoming the academics and prom-eager students but presently everybody, young and old, can find something of their liking.
Look inside first floor © Louvain Lifestyle
Last but definitely not least, on the first floor of Profiel, in a beautiful baroque salon, Animaux Speciaux displays its astonishing selection of stuffed animals. From butterflies to bats to an alligator, Jeroen Lemaître gives taxidermy a whole other diligence. Animaux Speciaux offers statement décor pieces for every house. (Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10h30 to 18h30)
Mixed it up @ Mixte
Mechelsestraat 39
Price range: 10-150
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Mixte has not stolen its name. The collection is a pleasant combination of fashionable, wearable, feminine and fun pieces. The owner tries to select a unique collection so you don’t bump into others wearing the exact same things and pick out brands that aren’t that easy to find. Also the price range is kind, starting at 10€ for t-shirts and up to 150 for one of the fanciest dresses in the store. They keep a student’s budget in mind and that is very much appreciated.
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Shopping with your boyfriend @ So Sophie
Wandelingstraat 2
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
So Sophie is a little bit special. Combining clothes, accessories and shoes with a wine bar, they answer to every women’s needs. Even the collection they provide is suitable for every woman. Going from casual to dressy to a little more sporty outfits but everything being very feminine, we think anyone will find something there of their liking. All brands hang widely spread throughout the store and they have hung everything by color. As they state themselves: “we have everything”.
If we asked them about the wine bar, which is a fabulous idea we may add, they told us it started out as a little tea house. But because of a lack of time and because someone offered to run it for them in the form of a wine bar, they changed the idea. Now you can come shopping with your partner, leave him with a glass of wine while you shop a brand new outfit.
The wine bar is open every Friday and Saturday and as of January it will also open every Wednesday.
Wine bar © Louvain Lifestyle
British fashion with Spanish love @ Hippy Chic
Mechelsestraat 47
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Jewelry © Louvain Lifestyle
Probably the coziest shop we’ve paid a visit was Hippy Chic. The lovely Spanish native shop owner with a love for British retro fashion moved here and opened this beacon of retro, playful clothes. The collection stands out of the ordinary and is therefore a ‘must-shop’ store. Watch out tall women because most dresses only come in small sizes.
If you are a genuine couch potato, no need to worry. You can also shop online at www.hippychicleuven.com. And if you order for over 100 Euros, delivery is free!
Back to the fifties @ Signature
Bondgenotenlaan 80
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Dresses © Louvain Lifestyle
Signature is one of those shops where you can find one of a kind dresses. Every piece’s based on a 40’-50’s look, either very obviously or just with a wink to past years. Generally you will find elegant, feminine dresses starting from 120 to 220 Euros. That may not be rather cheap but those killer retro dresses are just so worth it. What also appeals us is that they try to mainly sell Belgian production based clothes and in every respect they do not want to participate in the fast fashion industry (so no low-wage countries, no bad working conditions). In any case, you know you’re helping our economy to reach newer hights!
Fancy dresses @ Louvanist
Kortestraat 2
Price range: 60 – 250 euro.
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
Kate and Ferdinand opened Louvanist a long time ago. Why the name Louvanist? Basically, because the premises already carried that lovely name. Smart, right? Louvanist sells mostly dresses and also everything which can be worn with them. Also purses, accessories and beauty products by L’Occitane are offered. They find it important that everything in store is consistent. Matching pieces all in the same English, French, Danish romantic style but everything still pretty exquisite. At the same time the collection also is very broad so a damsel of 18 and a lady of 65 can find something of their liking.
The doubters among us can also ask anyone of the staff present for help. They love giving advice and they probably will insist that you will try anything else than you are used to. Kate, Ferdinand or one of their co-workers give you the chance to think outside the box. We promise that you will not be disappointed!
Look inside © Louvain Lifestyle
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