Indie Shopping in the Hague: Where to Go!

I’m just back from a shopping trip to The Hague, in the Netherlands. Not just any kind of ‘High Street shopping trip’ though, this was a look at the independent shops of The Hague, and an opportunity to meet the owners and creators who have realised their dreams to make them a success.

It was November, the Thursday and Friday of Black Friday weekend. The Hague shops were gearing up towards one of the biggest weekends of the year, although, on the Thursday they remained tight lipped about the deals of the Big Day. Turns out the independent shops of the The Hague are a great place for some discount shopping, with some shops slashing prices by upto 40%.

But that’s Black Friday in the Hague, which shops should be on the Hague shopping list for the rest of the year?

– Bar en Zo in The Hague

If you want to shop in the Hague, at any time of year, here are some of the coolest shops to steer you away from the High Street. They also make for a great sightseeing route around The Hague, to fit in some of those iconic buildings and views too.

Hofkwartier

If you’re going shopping in the Hague, the Hofkwartier area needs to be on your radar. It’s made up of a few streets right near Grote Market, the main hangout area of the city. It’s also just a few roads back from the hotel I stayed at too, Zeta Beds (more on that below).

Michael Barnaart

In the Hofkwartier I met Michael Barnaart, one of The Hague’s most influential fashion designers. He sells knitwear dresses and accessories and has two shops next to each other in the area.

This paint drip dress is his iconic statement piece and has been worn by many an important person in the Hague. You can order it in whichever colours you like, to make sure you’re the only one with that particular design.