By Bernhard Roetzel.
Vienna is very different in many ways from London, but the two cities have one thing in common: both have been capitals of an empire. This explains why Vienna is so oversized in relation to the rest of Austria.
And there’s another similarity: Vienna is pretty packed with tourists, at least in the inner city. Not as much as Venice or Florence, but it’s another reason why there is a robust shopping scene.
Austria abolished the monarchy after the end of WWI and even banned the use of titles. Nevertheless many Austrians are still very fond of titles. They cherish traditions, and that love of tradition extends to clothing, which is why Austrians love Loden and tracht and also bespoke clothes and shoes.
I don’t think there’s any country in Europe outside Italy that has such a high percentage of men wearing bespoke clothes. Maybe this applies more to the men in Vienna than to other parts of the country, but in that city the number of bespoke makers speaks for itself.
In this shopping guide I will focus on shops in Vienna that sell ready-made clothing because this is what most visitors will be after when visiting for a weekend, or a couple of days during the week. These shops sell fewer things that are uniquely Austrian or Viennese, but there is still usually something special about the way brands are chosen, mixed and presented. In this sense Vienna offers a very special shopping experience.
You can find 95% of the recommendations in the inner city. This means that in one day you could visit all the places, even if it’s just to look in the window. Unless of course you stop for coffee and pastry, wine or beer. But mind the tourist traps – some of the famous caféhäuser are very overpriced.
This doesn’t apply to the shops listed here, however. None of them are focused on foreign visitors, they all have a strong local client base. So if you want to get a taste of real Viennese life, this shops are a great starting point.
Classic style
Knize
Without doubt Vienna’s most famous address both locally and internationally.
The name of the company (the pronunciation is hard to describe in English because it is Czech, it sounds something like ‘kay-needge’) goes back to a master tailor from Bohemia, who took over a well-established shop in 1858 and continued under his name.
The owner, Rudolf Niedersüß, joined the company as a cutter and took over in 1976. Under his reign RTW suits, sportswear, accessories and shoes were added to the core bespoke tailoring.
Knize’s tailoring department is tiny now compared to the old days but as long as Rudolf Niedersüß can handle shears, chalk and tape measure he will keep up the tradition of being Vienna’s most prestigious and expensive bespoke tailor (though rumour has it that customers are charged in perpetuity the price they start with).
The RTW suits, jackets, trousers and coats are made in Italy in Knize’s house style, the cut and making are excellent, and they are a very good alternative to the tailoring. The range of knitwear and shirts is also very good and it has become known internationally for its house fragrances.
Graben 13, 1010 Wien
Zum Jockey Club
The quintessential little shirt shop, haberdasher and tailor. Founded in 1913 and situated in the heart of the central shopping area, just a minute from the famous Albertina, this has been a favourite place for generations of Viennese gentleman.
Helmut-Zilk-Platz 7, 1010 Wien
Jungmann & Neffe
This fabric shop is one of Vienna’s most famous menswear addresses, located close to the Opera, the Albertina Museum and the Sacher hotel. The cloths are mainly British and the selection is vast.
Originally founded as a fabric emporium for ladies dresses in 1873, the company switched to men’s fabrics from England and Scotland after the abolition of the Monarchy in 1919. If you want to see what Empress Elizabeth – aka ‘Sisi’ – picked for her ball gowns it’s all there in the archives.
In addition to fabrics there is a very comprehensive selection of neckwear, mostly made exclusively for the house. You will also find various accessories including umbrellas from Maglia in Milan.
The Czech tailor Hartl from Prague has trunk shows there every week. For more than 20 years he has been seeing his Viennese customers in the company’s fitting room, securing steady fabric sales.
Albertinaplatz 3, 1010 Wien
Gino Venturini
Bespoke shirtmaker and men’s outfitter run by Nicolas Venturini, the second generation; his father Eugenio ‘Gino’ Venturini came from Trieste, which explains the Italian name.
The shop’s size is similar to E Marinella in Naples and it often becomes rather crowded. Venturini offers a collection of knitwear, trousers, socks, leather jackets and all kinds of accessories, all sourced by himself, mostly in Italy.
The shop is adapted to sartorial tourists, as they can produce a toile fitting overnight or sometimes even quicker, which allows for bespoke orders even if a stay in Vienna is short. The fabric collection is huge and the shirts are made in their own workshop outside town. Excellent value for money.
Spiegelgasse 9, 1010 Wien
Macho Style
Ignore the dust on the shoes and tweed jackets in the window. If you wish to go back to the late 1980s and enjoy the Sloaney atmosphere of a Chelsea-based shoe and countrywear shop, these two tiny shops are a must.
You’ll find a nice range of Tricker’s shoes and other Goodyear-welted and Veldtschoen footwear, beef-roll loafers from the US and a very charming collection of tweed jackets, overcoats, hats and caps, trousers and ties.
Seilerstätte 18-20 1010 Wien
Stepanek Herrenmode
Classic men’s outfitter next to the new and fashionable Amauris Hotel, and very close to the famous Café Schwarzenberg.
Originally founded in 1890 it is now run by Nikola and Zora Jovanović. The couple offer an elegant, continental version of English style with slight Austrian and Italian accents. The collection includes shoes and handmade briefcases and purses from their own brand.
Kärtner Ring 6, 1010 Wien
Malowan
Not spectacular at first sight but long established, Malawian was founded in 1823 and became purveyor to the Imperial court in 1897. In the 1970s the old interior was replaced by a contemporary design.
It remains popular both with older customers and menswear rookies because the present owner Manfred Markowski freely gives advice. You can always find good suits, jackets and overcoats off-the-rack made from good quality fabrics. They stock all sizes and their own tailor is happy to make alterations quickly for visitors.
Opernring 23, 1010 Wien
Modern men’s outfitters
Even though Vienna is often perceived as a place for timeless style, there are lots of men who love contemporary sportswear and Italian casual clothes. So if you want to find a big range of those brands these are the places for you:
PAUL Vienna
Kärntner Straße 14, 1010 Wien
Sir Anthony
Kärntner Straße 21-23, 1010 Wien
Elmar Garzon
Naglergasse 19, 1010 Wien
Aetmen
Neubaugasse 76, 1070 Wien
However, among these shops selling contemporary Italian style and modern sportswear there are two that stick out, at least in my opinion:
Dantendorfer
Founded in 1948 with shops in Salzburg and Vienna, Dantendorfer represents the continental European idea of sophistication in menswear (even though they also sell ladies’ fashion).
The owners describe themselves as collectors of fashion, and their job to be travelling around looking for new, beautiful things. In recent years the collection has become more mainstream but still on a very high level. The list of brands is long and the selection tasteful.
Weihburggasse 9, 1010 Wien
Anton Meyer
The Vienna branch of a German outfitter founded in Hamburg (with branches in Frankfurt and Munich and an online shop) which has been well received by locals, despite the fact that Austrians are usually not too fond of Germans.
Anton Meyer offers a complete collection, reminiscent of Hackett in the late 1990s. Every piece is designed by the two owners in Hamburg and made in Portugal from good Italian and English fabrics.
Even though this is not a Viennese shop it is attractive for visitors from the UK because the collection is smart and timeless, and a good representation of the continental view of English style.
Spiegelgasse 8, 1010 Wien
Traditional Austrian clothing
The best-dressed men in Vienna usually mix local bespoke tailoring and shoemaking, English or Italian RTW, and elements from traditional Austrian folk dress or tracht. Tracht is also everyday wear in the country and for hunters, Sunday best for church, wedding attire and formal wear.
Vienna and Salzburg are the best cities in Austria to shop for tracht, especially if you’re looking for the best quality and smarter versions of it. Two very famous addresses are Loden Plankl and Tostmann Trachten. Most of the clothes offered there are made in Austria, sometimes even in the company’s own workshop.
Loden Plankl
Michaelerplatz 6, 1010
Tostmann Trachten
Schottengasse 3-3a, Wien
Then there is the last maker of bespoke lederhosen, deerskin riding breeches and all types of other leather garments, Alexander Profous.
Even if you don’t order anything because the fitting of a toile is required, a visit is recommendable. Everything is made on the premises and the owner is usually willing to spare a minute for visitors.
Fittings, garments waiting for repair, finished pieces and paper patterns can be seen in the front room. And you never know, you might be tempted to order something after all.
Alexander Profous
Grünangergasse 12, 1010 Wien
Shoes
Alexander
Alt Wien is a brand for Goodyear-welted RTW shoes built on Viennese lasts. It was founded in 1981 by Peter Mughrabi. It has always been an open secret that the shoes are made by Crockett & Jones.
The big days for Alt Wien were the 80s and 90s when the brand was successful in Austria, Germany, the Benelux and France. Nowadays Alt Wien is very much a niche product; if you like this style you should bring an extra empty suitcase to Vienna.
Alexander offers a huge selection of the shoes and very good advice, plus a small but tasteful collection of clothes and accessories.
Rauhensteingasse 3, 1010 Wien
Ludwig Reiter
The only Viennee shoes that are actually made in Austria (with the exception of bespoke) are sold in Ludwig Reiter’s shops in the historic centre of the Austrian capital and outside town in the factory shop on the grounds of the headquarters at Süßenbrunn Estate.
Ludwig Reiter has managed to adapt the style of their Goodyear-welted shoes to changing tastes in timeless footwear. When the present owner Till Reiter took over the company in 1985 (the 4th generation to do so) the shoes looked more like bespoke footwear from Vienna.
In addition to welted shoes from their own factory they well Italian-made bags and small leather goods.
Führichgasse 6, 1010 Wien
Factory shop:
Weingartenallee 2, 1220 Wien-Süßenbrunn
Materna
One of Vienna’s most famous bespoke shoemakers, located just around the corner from the Bristol hotel and Opera house.
Foreign visitors often don’t enter because they don’t have time for a bespoke order. But do go inside, have a look at the samples and then ask if any RTW shoes are available in your size.
Materna makes a small amount of RTW in their bespoke workshop but they don’t advertise them. This is your chance to get pair of very Austrian handmade shoes in Vienna.
Mahlerstr. 5, 1010 Wien
Bellas Vienna
Originally founded as a brand for comfy but very smart, ballerina-type ladies’ shoes, Bellas now also offers a small collection of men’s loafers.
The basic idea of the ladies’ collection, which could be summed up as aristocratic old-money smart-casual elegance, has been transferred to men’s shoes.
Dorotheergasse 5, 1010 Wien
Roberto & Sons
This shop is very popular both with both locals and tourists because the shoes offer good value for money and there is a very friendly service.
Roberto & Sons offers a small but appealing collection of classic Goodyear-welted shoes made in Spain and Italy either on Viennese or English looking lasts. The shop is family owned, now in its third generation. The shoes are also sold online in case you want to buy more later.
Flagshipstore Wien: Spiegelgasse 6, 1010 Wien
Accessories
Thomas Riemer
Visiting Vienna is an excellent opportunity to find good hand-sewn gloves. The most renowned maker in the city today is Thomas Riemer. He supplies many shops in Europe but also sells his gloves directly.
Thomas’s father Erwin owned a company making fashion and sports gloves, the latter with great success in the 1960s-1980s. Thomas started working with his father in 2000. When Erwin Riemer died in 2001 the company was closed.
In 2007 Thomas was offered the change to take over Vienna’s oldest glove shop, he agreed, but decided to ditch the old Italian suppliers and produce his own gloves using his father’s patterns. He opened a workshop in Hungary and produces gloves today both for this shop and for wholesale.
Today Thomas Riemer gloves are sold in 150 shops in a dozen countries, but the most charming place to buy is probably the tiny shop in Schottengasse.
Schottengasse 2, 1010 Wien
Nagy Hüte
Traditional hat shops are a common sight in continental Europe and Austria is no exception.
Nagy (Nagy is Hungarian and prounouced ‘nodge’) Hüte is very typical in the sense that about 80% of the headwear offered is not to the taste of men who love timeless fashion. But if you look closely at the shelves you will find a very good selection of classic shapes made of wool or fur felt, and of different types of straw.
Traditional Austrian hats to go with your Hubertus coat are of course also available in green, black, navy, brown or grey. Both branches are recommended.
Wollzeile 36, 1010 Wien
Schottengasse 3/ 3a, 1010 Wien
Mühlbauer
If your taste for hats goes beyond the fedora or trilby, or if you want handmade headwear with an eccentric shape, this is your hat shop.
Mühlbauer was founded in 1903 and everything is still handmade in Vienna. The designs are mostly very progressive and arty, but you do find styles to match a timeless wardrobe, like the summer hats ‘Graf Theo’ or the traveller hat ‘Art Will’ made of raffia straw.
Neubaugasse 34, 1070 Wien
Seilergasse 10, 1010 Wien
Szaszi Hüte
This is a maker of bespoke hats, completely handmade, but you might be lucky and find something from the stock of never-collected bespoke commissions.
The owner is Shmuel Shapira; he became a hat maker late in life when he took over an old hat shop and learned the trade in order to continue the business.
Mariahilferstr. 4
1070 Wien
R Kappeller
If you like knives and want to bring something home that is made in Vienna you should pay a visit to this small shop. The company was founded in Salzburg in 2016; the shop in Vienna opened in 2019. Knives in all shapes and sizes are on offer.
If you plan well ahead you could attend courses where you make your own knife, learn how to sharpen it or how to make a leather belt.
www.messermacher.at
Rauhensteingasse 5, 1010 Wien
Robert Horn
A local hero in terms of small leather goods, now with three shops in Vienna. Founder Robert Horn was famous for wearing Bermuda shorts in summer with a jacket, tie, knee-length socks and bespoke lace-ups.
Every piece is designed and made locally in the company’s own workshop, in the tradition of the Viennese avant garde of the turn from the 19th to 20th century. Bespoke pieces can be commissioned on request.
Herrengasse 6-8 (at Michaelerplatz)
Stephansplatz 3 (corner of Churhausgasse)
Bräunerstrasse 7, 1010 Wien
Bespoke
Vienna is truly one of the bespoke capitals of Europe, with an impressive list of tailors, shirtmakers and shoemakers. In addition to the addresses listed below locals will usually name more craftsmen working in less central parts of town or from home.
All artisans listed here work in the way typical of continental Europe, with the owner making everything himself, sometimes with the help of employees.
Visitors usually hesitate to commission a bespoke piece because it would be necessary to return for fittings, but the level of style and workmanship offered does make it worthwhile considering coming back with a cheap flight for the fittings.
Bespoke tailors
Knize
Graben 13, 1010 Wien
Niedersuesz
Annagasse 1, 1010 Wien
Kastner & Dronia
Annagasse 5/2/10, 1010 Wien
Ruth Sprenger
Liebiggasse 4/7, 1010 Wien
Zoltan Roeszler
Bankgasse 1, 1010 Wien
Hedi Rochowanski
www.instagram.com/hedi_rochowanski
Albertgasse 54/ 1a, 1080 Wien
Netousek
Gumpendorfer Str. 17, 1060 Wien
Michael Possanner
Saarplatz 4, 1190 Wien
Josef Blecha
Amerlingstraße 3, 1060 Wien
David Kuderer
Windmühlgasse 20/61, 1060 Wien
Bespoke shirtmakers
Gino Venturini
Spiegelgasse 9, 1010 Wien
Jockey Club
Helmut-Zilk-Platz 7, 1010 Wien
Wäscheflott
Bespoke shirts and nightwear.
Augustinerstraße 7, 1010 Wien
Maßhemden Spulak
Maurer Lange Gasse 22, 1230 Wien
Maßhemden Werle
Rosa-Luxemburg-Gasse 5, 1160
Bespoke shoes
Scheer
Bräunerstr. 4, 1010 Wien
Materna
Mahlerstr. 5, 1010 Wien
Petkov
Mahlerstr. 5, 1010 Wien
Thomas Schikola
Singerstr. 14, 1010 Wien
Raz Maftei
Dorotheergasse, 1010 Wien
Maftei Vienna
Kühnplatz 6, 1040 Wien
Harald Kammel
Kahlenbergerstr. 41, 1190 Wien
For more on the tradition of Austro-Hungarian shoemaking and what makes it unique, see previous article here. Tostmann images courtesy of Michael Maritsch @Michael-Maritsch
