The Quest Begins
Woke up early in Athens thinking “gotta find real traditional outfits” before tourist shops flood. First move? Asked three different hotel staff where locals buy stuff. All pointed to Monastiraki but warned “many fakes there”.
Monastiraki Mishaps
Rushed to Monastiraki around 9am dodging souvenir carts. First shop had “Greek costumes” made in China tags. Nope. Second shop owner kept pushing shiny polyester robes shouting “authentic!” Felt scammy. Bailed after touching scratchy fabrics.
Finding Gold in Plaka
Got desperate till Maria at coffee shop whispered: “Try family shops behind Adrianou Street”. Wandered narrow alleys until spotting hand-embroidered vests in dusty window. Inside smelled like wool and old wood. Old lady Demoniki showed linen tunics her grandma taught her to stitch. Paid cash for two pieces – no ATMs here!
- Real deal checkpoints:
- Smell test (musty wool = good)
- Owner knows village origins
- No neon colors allowed
Crete Bonus Round
In Chania found Saris family workshop buried in Splantzia district. Papa Yiannis demonstrated weaving on giant loom while wife served raki. Their secret? Using natural dyes from local plants. Brought home knee-high boots stitched with real goat leather. Nearly maxed my credit card – quality hurts the wallet!
Final thoughts? Skip flashy stores. Hunt for cramped shops smelling like sheep and run by yia-yias who eyeball your size before measuring. That’s where magic hides.
