Shop Glasgow, the 10 best streetwear stores

You don’t realize how good Glasgow is shopping until you’ve spent a day wandering its streets, if you’ve come from anywhere outside of London you’ll love what Glasgow has to offer, more shops than anywhere and lots of good streetwear shops, ok 3, but still good.

I’ve decided to list my top 11, the ones I would visit when out shopping, and mention my competition which I hear say, yes, I say, the more people realize that Glasgow is a number one shopping destination the better.

1. TK Maxx on Sauchiehall St (top end) is where you’ll find bargains if you’re lucky, and if you don’t find something interesting, I got a great pair of Brown Leather Air Max for £25 18 months ago, and just now starting to fall apart, but the most comfortable shoes ever. I also got a great case when I’m on my travels, nice little thing for a lot of cheapness.

2. Next up on Bath Street is the urban legend The Fat Buddha, vinyl toys, graffiti supplies, and lifestyle and apparel from brands like Carhartt, The Hundreds, Kikstyo, Recon, Penfield, Zoo York, Volcom, Nike, Dc’s, and Reebok. Voted best shop in Glasgow by an independent panel of my family, but well worth a visit, just to see Maisie’s dog shop.

3. Goodlife is just across the road from Fat Buddha and it’s quite expensive but it’s the only boutique Streetwear shop in Glasgow after all, it sells Original Fake & Alife, a good mix of brands for such a small place, but the shop has a following, coming from afar for its trademark mix.

I’m not sure of the exact story, but it looks like Goodlife has closed its doors.

4 on Buchanan Street you will find this corporate whore is Urban Outfitters, at the time of sale there are great deals to be had, a real mix of brands here, some homewares not to be sniffed at, well worth a visit.

If you are American or have visited one of these stores in America you will be surprised how poor the British version is compared to the American mix, the mix of different brands, terrible staff and no atmosphere.

5. On Buchanan Street you will find Hugo Boss, love this shop, for years now I still want to visit, great design and some good products, great suits and boy does they fit as they should. First real name Glasgow designer on Buchanan Street, go visit.

I almost got the managers job here many moons ago but it wasn’t, still a great shop.

6. Around the corner you’ll find Aspecto, this kids’ store, the only place for Tussie’s, convenient to Adidas, Carhartt, North Face & Camper, Y3, Eviso and the like. Great store, it looked cool at the time, so it’s worth a visit.

7. You want sneakers, where else to go than size up on Union Street, great store with a good selection of clothes, best shoe store in Glasgow, unless shoes are scarce, staff will first yell at them. This is where the shoes go, Chris2 always has a smile for you.

8. Always a little department store, House of Frasers always hits the spot, wares section rocks, menswear has now moved to the first floor and a lot of money has been spent on it, now the best menswear area in Glasgow by a mile, Paul Smith section is beautiful and again, Paul Smith section is beautiful, great wallets and scarf savers now. Frasers is well worth an hour or so of your time, it’s just the Argyle St.

9. Foot Locker, only in Argyle St where you will satisfy your Jordan craving, good selection of nikes, especially Air Stabs, good selection of clothes and a separate women’s floor make this a destination not to be missed. Foot Locker is always a must-have for sneakerheads.

10. Focus on Argyle St and Glasgows sole Nike SB stockist, other brands include Diamond, Supra, Krew and Cliche. Skateboards are Focus’s forte and they serve the Glasgow market well, have a good reputation now and only visit for the Obey shirt. Good staff and a friendly atmosphere make this a worthy addition to my list.

11. Finally you’ll walk around the corner from Focus and find Cruise on Ingram St, a Glasgow legend and still doing what they do best, feeding brands to the masses, CP Company, Stone Island, Y3, BBC make a visit a must. Lovely Shopfit Also, grab a Paul Smith wallet while you’re there.

So to wrap up the Glasgow Shopping Top 11, there are hundreds not on the list, you have St Enoch Shopping Ctr, Buchanan Galleries Shopping Ctr in the city, stretch further and you’ll come to Braehead Shopping Ctr and Silverburn Shopping Ctr.

The more you leave Glasgow, the more you appreciate it, so come, eat, shop and be merry.

Updated April 2010