Fashion

Beate Bernstein
Liliova 3, Praha 1, Mo-Sa 10-19, AmEx, EC MC VISA
This brand-new Old Town boutique carries suites, separates and snazzy evening wear. High-quality suits by makers like Donnalinea have fetching feminine detailing and surprisingly reasonable pricetags, considering this shop’s location. The formal wear by Opera Richards concentrates on the classics – little black dresses and sophisticated black suits, most in black acetate or polyester blends punctuated with velvet panels and richly beaded, art-deco flavoured collars or necklines. Imaginative separates by Francine Browner include semi-transparent vests with black velvet stripping.

Bugatti
Brehova 8, Praha, Mo 10.30-19, Tu-Fr 10-19, Sa 10-18, AmEx, EC, JCB, MC, VISA
Every professional or up and coming male must have his fantasy striding through town immaculately suited in bespoke clothing, casually sipping cocktails on his yacht or dining at some sumtuous eatery in understated elegance. Bugatti, just of Prague’s premier shopping street, does its best to cater for the man in search of style.Bugatti’s own brand shoes, suits and accessoires provide top-to-tail snazzy clothing. Blazers, woven silk ties, greaming brogues and an entire roomful of neat, perfectly pressed suits (starting around CZK 10.000.-) plus jeans, leather jackets and crisp shirts are waiting to be tried.

Maison de Qualite
Mlasna 12, Praha 1, Tu-Fr 10-18, Sa 11-16, AmEx, EC, MC, VISA
Anne Fontaine Paris is the brand of choice, and white is the ubiquitous color in this angelically-tinted boutique. If you crave a new white blouse and you‘ve got upwards of 2,700 CZK to spend, Anne Fontaine won’t let you down. The exquisite tops here are sewn of white organdy, cotton, silk and brocade. You’ll find romantic, rufflesleeved buccaneer blouses, safari-style, self-belted button-downs, strech-lace bustiers, embroidered fitted bodices with sheer sleeves, sheer shells with wide, white fur collars and matching fur-trimmed sleeves and sleeveless brocade waistcoats in cream. Just for contrast, Maison de Qualite stocks a handful of non-white blouses, a few quality handbags and a small selection of highquality Italian shoes made by Ballin and Linea Pelle.

Modes Robes
Benediktska 5, Praha 1, Mo-Fr 10-19, Sa 10-16
This small boutique near the Prague Stock Exchange is handsomely decorated in shades of dark green and brown. In the front room you’ll find racks full of lady’s clothes. Although the prices seem a bit over the top for the original lowery patterns and light materials on hand, the store’s regular clients don’t seem to mind. After making their choice they can relax at the snug Champagne bar, chat up the agreeable staff or aquire a piece of art from the gallery in the back room. Quite a therapeutic shopping experience!

Antiques

Antikva
Na Hutich 9, Praha 6, Mo-Fr 9 :30-12,12 :45-17, AmEx, CS,D,EC,JCB,MC, VISA
With such an enormous selection of ceramics, porcelain, glassware, jewelry and accessoires, you could explore all day without getting bored. The quality of items varies dramatically from piece to piece, but there are consistently great items at unbelievably low prices. The staff speak a little English, are very helpful, and are always willing to suggest pieces similar to those you like but that don’t exactly suit your needs. The store doesn’t allow haggling but there’s usually no need, as everything is fairly inexpensive.

Antikva
Karlova 12, Praha1, open daily 10-13, 14-18, AmEx, D, EC, MC, VISA
Wander into the passage at Karlova 12 and you’ll find a hodgepodge od pieces from days gone by. Merchandise here includes exquisitely set antique garnets and tacky old wine goblets, carp-shaped cake molds and elegant mother-of-pearl opera glasses. If you’ve been seeking a polished wooden walking stick with a hand-carved ivory horse head, a graceful art deco chandelier, a well preserved phonograph, or Prague’s largest collection of antique coffee grinders, Antikva will thrill you.

Antique Ing. Burger
Betlemske namesti 8, Praha 1, Mo-Fr 10-18, AmEx, MC, VISA
Hidden in an alley next to Gulu Gulu restaurant, this store offers some of best bargains of any antique stae (?) the downtown area. There’s an impressive collection of glassware and an immensely varied selection of pieces from the First Republic. Particularly interesting is a display of ancient Czech globes which still list places like the “Belgian Congo” and the “Austrian-Hungarian Empire”, and have blank spaces in parts of Central Africa and South America. Behind a pillar in the middle of the store, you’ll find a collection ancient jade vases and other art imported years ago from long-forgotten parts of Asia.