The best local fashion stores in Athens are must visits for thoughtful travelers
When you’re shopping in Athens, you’ve got two options: get smacked upside the head by tourist traps in the usual spots, or dig a little deeper (without much effort) and walk away with treasures, and maybe even a new friend.
If you’re after something truly Athenian, something made with care and history, there are two spots you absolutely need to check out. These places are living, breathing examples of Greek craftsmanship and hospitality. One a timeless classic, and one an up-and-coming success.
Our journey starts just a bit northeast of the main tourist area in Athens. If you’re staying near the Plaka, or in Thisio, this is a short jaunt to the Exarcheia neighborhood. A little edgy, good coffee, and home to the first stop on our trip.
It’s A Shirt might be one of the most charming, thoughtful, and impeccably designed clothing shops I’ve ever visited. The name is simple, but the quality is beyond anything I expected.
Meet Christina
The owner, Christina, does it all. She’s the designer, the salesperson, and the quality control expert for every shirt hanging in her beautifully curated space. She runs It’s A Shirt along with her father, but the shirting tradition extends back through her family. Best of all, everything is made right here in Athens, in a small local workshop.
When you step inside, Christina greets you like an old friend and offers you something to drink. The shop feels calm and inviting, a welcome contrast to the bustle of central Athens. Soft light filters through the wide windows, earthy toned shelves display architecture and design books, and you can tell everything here has been considered with care.
And then you get to the shirts.
The Shirts
The shirts themselves are nothing short of exceptional. The magic comes down to three things: top-tier fabrics, thoughtful fit, and expert craftsmanship.
Most of the shirts are unisex, cut in a regular fit that feels relaxed without being oversized. The fabrics come from Greece, Italy, France and the rest of Europe. Lightweight linens, crisp cottons, and unique and beautifully textured pieces populate the racks.
Christina keeps things fresh by rotating stock frequently. Apart from a few signature pieces, every season brings something new and unexpected. Like a French kitchen, she cooks with the seasons.
When I visited, she was helping another customer but still took a moment to greet us warmly and offer my wife a seat on a comfortable couch. That small gesture said everything about how she runs her business.
Trying It On
While I waited for the changing room, I took in the space: the racks arranged just so, the color palette of soft blues and earthy neutrals, the quiet hum of conversation. It’s the kind of store where every single detail feels intentional.
When I finally tried on a few shirts, the fit was spot-on. My favorite was a classic blue-and-white striped button-up: crisp, timeless, and easy to wear. I also grabbed a cropped short-sleeve in black and tan that felt playful but still sophisticated, and it served me well through the final weeks of our warm midwest summer.
Each piece had its own personality, and wearing them makes me think about Christina’s dedication to her craft. She’s proud of what she creates, and it shows, so I’m proud to wear it!
Before we left, she took the time to chat about her design process and what to expect in the coming autumn and winter catalog. It’s clear she isn’t just selling clothes, she’s sharing a piece of herself and her city.
If you’re looking for souvenirs that last, skip the keychains and head to It’s A Shirt instead. You’ll get a shirt that fits beautifully, tells a story, and will remind you of Athens every time you put it on.
Mellisinos Art: The Poet Sandal Maker
One of my favorite quotes is that you should never skimp on the things that separate you from the ground. Beds, chairs, shoes. Make good choices.
In Athens, there’s lots of chances to get crappy sandals, I’ll be honest. But THIS is far from THAT.
If you want real Athenian sandals, there’s only one place to go and one man to talk to: Pantelis Melissinos. His shop, Mellisinos Art, more than earns that second word in its name. The sandals made in this bright, eclectic, and welcoming space truly are works of art. And that fact alone makes it one of The Best Local Fashion Stores in Athens.
Pantelis himself is usually in the shop, greeting customers or working quietly in the background. He’s a third-generation sandal maker, and you can see that heritage in every corner of the store. Photos of his late father and famous clients, John Lennon, Sophia Loren, and Aristotle Onassis among them, hang proudly alongside Pantelis’s own paintings and sculptures.
It’s part workshop, part gallery, part time capsule. And it’s a joy to step inside.
Having a scruffy, friendly old terrier dog greet you sure helps!
The Experience
First things first: don’t go to Mellisinos Art if you’re in a hurry. The sandal-making process takes time, and you’ll want to set aside at least an hour for the full fitting experience. Longer if there’s a line. Pro tip: grab breakfast and arrive when the doors open at 11 a.m.
The sandals start around €150, and they’re worth every cent. You’ll choose from about 30 ready-made styles, and each pair will be custom-fitted to your foot. You can go fully custom if you’d like, but for visitors, the ready-to-wear models are perfect.
Even the “ready” pairs are only half-done. The leather is cut and finished, the soles are stitched and glued, and the final fitting happens right there in front of you. You’ll walk out with bespoke sandals made specifically for your feet.
My Visit
We first stopped by late on the afternoon when we arrived in Athens, but the shop was packed. Too many people, not enough time. So we said hello, admired the chaos, and vowed to return the next morning.
After fueling up on Greek yogurt and Freddo cappuccinos, my wife and I arrived early and were second in line. One of Melissinos’s assistants welcomed us warmly and got right to work helping us choose styles.
Usually, there’s a small team of three working on sandals in various stages. The assistants handle fittings and prep work while Pantelis manages the books and emails before helping with the final, critical adjustments. Everyone’s friendly, talkative, and clearly proud of what they do.
I chose a simple crossover leather slide, and the assistant brought out a few sizes to test. The “premade” sandals are just templates. The straps aren’t fitted, and the soles don’t yet have rubber outsoles. Once you find the right size, that’s when the artistry begins.
Pantelis Mellisinos in his element, making works of art for the feet of the world.
Pantelis steps in for the fitting, studying how your foot sits in the sandal, how the leather bends, how you walk. He’ll point out things you didn’t even know mattered. Maybe your right foot is slightly smaller, or your arch is higher than you thought. He notices it all.
After adjusting the straps for the perfect fit, the glue goes on, the sole is attached, and you’re given a bit of time to relax while the sandals set. It’s a great moment to take in the shop’s organized chaos—paintings stacked against walls, half-finished sandals drying on tables, the smell of leather and glue in the air.
When the sandals are ready, you’ll try them on again. Pantelis makes the final tweaks himself, trimming leather edges and finishing everything with a soft coat of Vaseline to preserve the shine.
It’s the kind of experience that feels timeless, and it connects you directly to Athens itself. Buying sandals at Mellisinos Art allows you to bear witness to craftsmanship that’s survived generations. And if you follow the instructions, your sandals will last you just as long!
If you have the time, visit Pantelis and his team. And if you don’t, well, maybe you’re not relaxing in Greece enough anyway and you might want to grab a bottle of wine and think that over.
Bonus Stop In A Pinch: Kedima Greek Art
Alright, let’s be honest: it’s almost impossible to avoid souvenir shops in Athens. You’ll pass a dozen of them before you reach your hotel. But if you need a quick gift or something small to bring home, Kedima Greek Art is your best bet.
You’ll find linen goods, ceramics, and locally made gifts here—items that are genuinely made in Greece rather than mass-produced imports.
Is it perfect? Not quite. It still leaves you feeling a little too touristy. But if you’re short on time and want to avoid the junk, this place offers thoughtful, made-in-Greece items that dispatch with some of the consumerist ick.
Even in a rush, you can still shop consciously.
Final Thoughts: The Best Local Fashion Stores in Athens
Between It’s A Shirt and Mellisinos Art, you’ve got two incredible options for authentic Greek fashion in the capital. Both are hyper-local, proudly Athenian, and built on years of dedication to craft.
When you walk in sandals made by Pantelis Melissinos or button up a shirt designed by Christina, you’re carrying a piece of Athens with you. Its creativity, its warmth, its soul and YOUR visit go right along with you.
You’re not just wearing something beautiful. You’re wearing something truly special.
And that’s what makes these shops The Best Local Fashion Stores in Athens.
So take your time. Visit them both. Chat with the owners, enjoy the process, and leave with something that’ll remind you of Greece every time you put it on.
Because in a world of fast fashion, finding people who still pour their heart into what they make is always worth the trip.
