Not only did I find my dress, I found a gold mine of fashion inspiration. Make sure to allow for plenty of time for a vintage trip, as part of the pleasure is exploring all the racks.

ANTWERP

For a place known for fashion, vintage is no exception.

Belchique In the lovely antique-laden area of 't Zuid, you will this gem of a store tucked down a cobblestone street. With big name brands like Chanel and Prada, you can walk away with a stylish outfit without breaking the bank. Mostly female clothing and tending towards modern and second-hand pieces as opposed to vintage. Kloosterstraat 177 www.belchique.com

Sussies Really - this is what thrift store shopping is about. Piles and piles of fabulous, funky outfits, plus dresses galore. I tried on 15. This is the kind of shop that has that recognisable musty smell and all the clothes have a history. My boyfriend was equally happy, puttering about in the spacious men's section. Oude Koornmarkt 69 www.sussies.be

Jutka & Riska Something old, something new applies here. Being close to the fashion museum has rubbed off on this shop, which is a successful combination of both new, edgy pieces and vintage. Girl-only wear, this place also has some one-of-a-kind accessories. Although the vintage clothing section in the back is a bit spare, the racks of stylish pieces up front more than balance it out. Nationalestraat 87

Labels Inc The biggest names of fashion at much smaller prices - although certainly not bargain basement. Nearby high-end shops give their leftover stocks and samples. Be it second hand or second season, the small shop is a way for even a student to sport some Dries Van Noten, especially with its focus on Belgian designers. Aalmoezenierstraat 4 www.labelsinc.be

Episode While located in a number of spots (London, Paris, Amsterdam), the branches in Antwerp and Brussels are both divine. The spacious stores are crammed with endless racks of all sorts of fun clothes for both men and women. Instead of big names, it's big themes, like a rack of one-piece jump suits, a section of all things sequin, or an enormous bin of printed scarves. Steenhouwersvest 34a www.episode.eu

BRUSSELS

Avoid the Manneken Pis and head instead for the nearby shops showcasing mannequins in vintage fashion.

Burlesque Vintage A small shop that is the sort of place you pop into for five minutes every week to see what new has come in. The stock is all peculiar and not necessarily stylish. Don't be disappointed when you discover that, despite the name, this isn't a shop with burlesque clothing; but it just might have that one-off, shimmy bustier or purple leather fringe jacket you never knew you wanted but now desperately do. Zuidstraat 64

Bernard Gavilan Perched on the corner of a cute little square, this shop is a must-see for anyone interested in women's fashion. All vintage and all fabulous, the sparse but well-selected stock makes you want to buy anything that fits. The friendly proprietor, formally a hat designer, is happy to help you explore and has some irresistible finds, such as a stunning feather and purple velvet hair fascinator from the 1930s. (There is also a Bernard Gavilan in the student district of Ghent.) Steenstraat 27 www.bernardgavilan.com

Foxholes At the opposite end of the spectrum - and a mere block away - you find piles of flannel shirts, nappy hats and old sneakers that are now trendy. This is where to dress cheaply and old school: T-shirts and hoodies, all a bit ragged. The ugly sunglasses and the hat that might have belonged to your grandfather come together to make anyone look like they belong in a hip underground jazz club. Rijkekelanerenstraat 4 (second shop at Vossenstraat 6) www.foxholeshop.com

Gabriele Boutique Head towards Sint-Katelijne, and you'll come to this richly stocked shop with mostly party and cocktail wear, all in perfect condition. From gowns to suits, skirts to jackets, this is a one-stop shop for looking your best in any decade, from the 1920s to the 1970s. This is, indeed, where I found my wedding dress. The walls are lined with hats, the shelves have baskets of gloves, and even the mirrors are gold-gilded from another era. Find the perfect "little black dress" in a separate room that features nothing but black. Kartuiszersstraat 27

Idiz Bogam Next up, the less upscale but more trendy shop where those in the know head to pick up a statement piece or to add retro flair to any outfit. For those daring enough to pull off a mini Go-Go dress in an eye-dazzling pattern. The fashion is contagious; as soon as you enter, you feel the need to wear something outrageous. You'll soon find something. Antoine Dansaertstraat 76 www.myspace.com/idizbogam