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List updated 11 March 2011

Vintage shopping around Lake Geneva - Photo Ellen Wallace

Geneva, Switzerland – Welcome to Geneva Living’s own list of vintage clothing stores around Geneva. Not every consignment store in Geneva is listed here. This is a selection of well-known private stores that sell higher-end items. Most of this stores accept your clothing for sale on consignment, including a couple of charity-run stores.

If you are looking for lower-end clothing and household items, see my post: Second hand/thrift stores in Geneva and Lausanne.

Women’s clothing

Audace – This store’s slogan is: Prêt-à-porter-à-peine-porté boutique (or barely used prêt-a-porter). A medium-sized, cozy store behind the Madeleine church in old town filled with evening gowns, Chanel shoes, labels, labels, labels and jewelry. It specializes in high-end items and fur. Located at: 4, Rue des Barrières, 1204 Geneva. Tel: +41 22 311 60 41. Credit cards accepted.

La Difference - This consignment shop (dépôt-vente) sells women’s items only. A plus at La Difference is that the shop has an on-site alteration specialist. The boutique is small, very neat and the merchandise changes every two to three weeks. Clothes tend to be less trendy but more “classic”. Most, if not all shoes sold at this store, are in excellent condition. The owner speaks some English. Located at: Chemin Moïse-Duboule 3-5, Petit-Saconnex. Tel: +41 22 733 24 77. Bus #3. Cash only.

Les Fringantes - Takes your consignment clothes and purses (no shoes) and resells them on a classic Geneva dépot-vente scheme. Sellers are friendly and very helpful. Clothes range from no-frills trousers to more upscale lady-like suits, but it is not a place to find “labels”. The store sells unclaimed items for CHF5 so there’s always something on clearance. Located in Plainpalais, 4 Rue Vignier, 1205 Geneva. Tel: +41 22 328 2136. Opens Monday through Friday from 14:30 to 18:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:45. Cash only.

Red Cross’ Vet’shop Vintage – A selection of high-end items donated to the local Red Cross are sold at their store located in St-Gervais. At this store you will find lots of well-known labels as well as clothing originally sold by Europeans boutiques, think Paris, Milan. They do not accept consignment clothes. The store opens Mon-Fri from 10:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 9:30 to 17:30. Located at: 16 Rue des Etuves, 1201 Geneva. Cash cards accepted.

Salvation Army – Twice a year the Armee du Salut holds a special vintage sale where high-end/label clothing and accessories donated to the store are sold at higher-than-usual prices. Don’t miss it! (Read about it here).

Zaza Boutic – A very small, cozy store in Carouge, canton Geneva. It specializes in second-hand kids’ and women’s clothing, labels and cute/trendy garments. Attention parents: the store is very small and full of items, going in with strollers and browsing might be a tad difficult. Open Tuesday through Friday from 09:30 to 17:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00. Located in Carouge. 44 Rue Ancienne. Tel: +41 22 342 3873.

Men’s clothing

La Casse a Max – This is an outlet and second hand store (for men only) in the heart of Paquis. When I visited, Max the owner, had nice-looking, new business suits for less than CHF200, and new designer shirts made in Milan for very reasonable prices. The owner speaks English. Located at: 58 Rue de Berne, 1201 Geneva. Tel: +41 22 741 1121.

Vet’Shop – This Red Cross store sells men’s, women’s, kids’ and rents costumes. Men’s clothing ranges from H&M to Lanvin. Worth looking at. Located at: 2, rue Leschot, 1205 Geneva. Tel. +41 22 321 8384.

This is an ongoing post. If you find new stores that you think should be listed here, let me know.

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