Fashion goes hand in hand with travel. Immersing yourself in a new destination is the perfect way to discover new styles, designers, and add fresh pieces to your wardrobe. If a fashionable getaway is on your horizon, consider these 10 exciting cities and countries that seamlessly blend travel, culture, and sartorial inspiration.
Milan, Italy
Known as one of the world’s fashion capitals, Milan offers bountiful opportunities to experience Italian style first-hand. The city’s famous “Quadrilatero della moda” is prime for boutique shopping, with alleys and side streets housing hundreds of couture boutiques and ateliers. Fan favorites include the Armani flagship store and Dolce & Gabbana. Don’t miss the grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with its ornate architecture and luxury shops like Prada and Louis Vuitton. For more affordable designer wares, head to the outlets just outside the city. And be sure to book tickets for fashion week in February or September to ogle next season’s trends.
Recommended boutique hotels: Hotel Manzoni or Hotel Viu Milan
Paris, France
It doesn’t get more chic than Paris. As the home of legendary houses like Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent, this city feels like a living fashion museum. Stroll the streets in Le Marais, popping into independent boutiques between cups of coffee at cozy cafes. The Grands Magasins like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette lure with expansive designer floors and opulent holiday displays. Search for vintage finds at the iconic Marche aux Puces flea market. And schedule your trip around Paris Fashion Week or couture season.
Recommended boutique hotels: Maison Souquet or Le Roch Hotel
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a constantly evolving epicenter of cutting-edge style. Subcultures like Harajuku Lolita offer eye-opening inspiration with their eccentric, costume-like fashions. Check out luxury flagship stores in the Ginza neighborhood, then dive into boutiques in hip districts like Shibuya and Daikanyama to discover Japan’s unique take on global fashion trends. Sign up for a workshop with a local designer to try traditional crafts like embroidery, calligraphy or kimono styling. Don’t miss the magnificence of Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa.
Recommended boutique hotels: The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon or Claska
New York, NY
It’s no surprise the Big Apple remains America’s fashion mecca. Hometown icons Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tory Burch share the streets with international luxury brands. For haute couture, head uptown to Madison Avenue. Downtown in SoHo and Nolita, browse boutiques and sample the latest collections from younger designers. Find unique vintage and consignment stores on the Lower East Side and Williamsburg. And shop department store flagships such as Bloomingdale’s, Saks, Macy’s and more for affordable designer wares.
Recommended boutique hotels: The Whitby or Roxy Hotel Tribeca
London, England
Regal London provides countless opportunities for quintessential British fashion. Find Saville Row tailoring, Burberry trenches, and chic accessory brands galore. Check the shops on Kings Road in Chelsea, once the stomping grounds of Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood. For vintage fashion and antiques, don’t miss the Portobello Road Market. Snap up contemporary London designs in trendy Shoreditch and head to Mayfair for iconic British heritage brands. Stop for afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason and visit iconic department stores Liberty, Selfridges and Harrods.
Recommended boutique hotels: The Laslett or The Connaught
Dubai
Glitzy Dubai offers a glamorous retail scene with luxurious fashion from around the globe. Massive malls like the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates house every designer you can imagine, alongside Middle Eastern creations. Traditional Middle Eastern clothing and jewelry offer beautiful, exotic accents to bring home. Find local high fashion at Edition boutique or Parisian imports at L’etoile. Two major annual fashion events, Dubai Design Week and Arab Fashion Week, showcase regional talents.
Recommended boutique hotels: Palace Downtown or Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Copenhagen, Denmark
While Scandinavian style may conjure images of minimalism, Danish brands put a fresh, lively spin on fashion essentials. Stroll the streets of Copenhagen’s Indre By neighborhood for beloved brands like GANNI, Saks Potts and Stine Goya. Or head to Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets, for a mix of mainstream and emerging designers. Check out Royal Copenhagen for signature Danish porcelain and ceramics. Don’t miss Copenhagen Fashion Week in February and August for edgy street style spotting.
Recommended boutique hotels: SP34 Boutique Hotel or Hotel Skt. Annæ
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul provides a unique glimpse into East Asian style. Find everything from Korean streetwear brands to novelty sock shops clustered in buzzing districts like Myeongdong and Dongdaemun. COEX Mall and Doota Mall house dozens of Korean clothing brands and designers. Hunt for emerging names at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the epicenter of Seoul Fashion Week. Local vintage and secondhand stores offer one-of-a-kind sweatshirts, denim and more. And pick up Korean beauty products everywhere from drugstores to luxury beauty halls.
Recommended boutique hotels: Hotel Cappuccino or Glad Hotel Yeouido
Amsterdam, Netherlands
While often associated with tulips and museums, Amsterdam offers a laidback-chic fashion scene steeped in craftsmanship and innovation. Local brands like Scotch & Soda and G-Star RAW started here before hitting the global mainstream. Find them alongside young designers at concept stores like Daily Paper and Wini in hip neighborhoods like the Jordaan and Nine Streets. Amsterdam’s flea markets and vintage boutiques reward with stylish secondhand scores. Don’t miss Museum Het Kruithuis’ collection of 17th century costumes.
Recommended boutique hotels: The Hoxton Amsterdam or Pulitzer Amsterdam
Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh provides a feast for the senses, including vibrant sights, smells and fashion. Intricately patterned textiles, stitchwork, and beaded jewelry shine at the souks (markets) around Djemaa el Fna square and the buzzing souks of the medina quarter. Watch artisans crafting leather bags, natural perfumes, embroidered apparel and more. Bring an empty suitcase for caftans, poufs, glassware, carpets and other exotic finds. The traditional djellaba robe makes a comfortable travel staple.
Recommended riads (boutique hotels): Riad Dar One or Riad Joya
Wherever your passions for travel and fashion take you, absorbing the local style scenes is a delightful way to connect with new cultures. Have a stylish and inspiring getaway!
