Shoe shopping in Chamberí is a very pleasant experience. Small, centrally located, this Madrid neighborhood is within walking distance from the posh Salamanca. Yet the vibe is different. Chamberí is low-key chic. It is populated by independent fashion boutiques that offer shoes, accessories, and clothing at moderate prices.
La Alpargatería, 74 calle de García de Paredes.
La Alpargatería translates very simply as “espadrille store“. It sells very moderately priced authentic espadrilles. The espadrilles are handmade in Spain and come in all possible colors and variations. If you need ballerina flats or casual slippers (you can never have enough of those!), they sell them too. La Alpargatería has been around since 1986 and has attracted steady clientele, from tourists to the madrileños themselves. The Spanish do really love their espadrilles (also alpargatas, or espardenyes) and find many uses for them, from casual day outfits to evening chic. La Alpargatería sells Spanish brands exclusively.
NAC, García de Paredes, 72 (for other locations see here).
A multi-brand family-owned boutique chain that carries Spanish and international fashion brands. The have an extremely attractive selection of ultra-trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories at medium-high prices.
La Tienda de las Alpargatas, 72 c/ de Zurbano. Close to the intersection of García de Paredes and Zurbano streets is another small shop that sells traditional Spanish espadrilles. Most espadrilles are manufactured by artisans in La Rioja and Murcia. The store specializes in traditional espadrilles, like the Valencian type featured below. They come in fourteen different colors!
The store also carries the latest in espadrille fashion, in all sizes and colors. Besides, they have flip-flops and all manner of basic slippers at moderate to low prices.
La Tienda de Almudena, 93 c/ de Zurbano.
La Tienda de Almudena is a multi-brand shoe boutique named after her owner, Almudena. Almudena is one of the most charismatic personalities on Madrid‘s independent fashion boutique scene. Her store specializes in shoes and bags, but it also carries a good range of accessories and gift items.
Two decades in the business, Almudena is passionate about what she does. Her customers rave about her enthusiasm, her taste, her product knowledge, and the design of her store. Almudena stocks a meticulously curated collection of well-made stylish shoes for the independent, fashion-conscious woman. Her store is THE place to shop for Made in Spain shoes. Well-respected Spanish brands like Wonders, Mustang, Alma En Pena, JONI, Pedro Miralles (to name just a few), are part of her regular line up. The store constantly runs sales and promotions, so if you pay enough attention, you are very likely to pick up a great steal.
In 2013 La Tienda de Almudena won the “Best Store” award launched by a popular Madrid weekly consumer guide magazine Bazar Me Lo Pido.
Almudena is very active on social media. Besides promoting her own business, she uses her social media channels to support independent entrepreneurship in Spain. I follow her Instagram feed and whenever I post a question, a friendly and fast response is guaranteed. From what I could gather, Almudena has two grown-up daughters and is friends with half of Madrid. A Madrid native, she also likes to unwind in a small village of Milmarcos, 200 km away from Madrid, in the Castile-La Mancha region.
In short, La Tienda de Almudena is an authentic, not-to-be-missed shoe shopping adventure Made in Spain.
I hope you liked your virtual Made in Spain shoe shopping tour in Madrid‘s Chamberí neighborhood. More Made in Spain shopping in Madrid to follow!
