I have friends heading to Madrid and they asked about best shopping places. I'm addicted to Zara (and subsidiaries); Loewe though I can only afford their perfumes :); and I gave them all the main shopping centers + Cortes I. Explained Chueca is good for trendy stuff and lower prices as opposed to Serrano, etc ... but any highly recommend spots would really make their trip to Madrid!

Males and females - so any input you can give would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!!!!!

its really all over Fuencarral now has nice stores too. the Area of Princesa by Moncloa district , and on Alcala after the puerta de Alcala.
then for shopping centers selection and good prices need to go just a bit outside Madrid city. like Norte 2 in San Sebastian de los Reyes or Parque Corredor in Torrejon de Ardoz ,bus 252 at America interchange bus depot ,then 224 at Constitucion in torrejon.Everybody know them, the links
http://www.plazanorte2.com/
http://www.parque-corredor.com/portal/

hope it helps

Thanks Pedmar - I'll pass along the centers just outside of the city. Can you suggest one or two men's stores by name?

And everyone - if you have a 'special favorite' pls do share!

well I buy mines at Cortefiel or Milano there or here same outfit. And Pedro del Hierro is the official outfitter of the Real Madrid ::)
http://www.grupocortefiel.com/

Why am I not at all surprised by your Pedro del Hierro comment :::))))

Thanks!

Dear Friend,

Shopping in Madrid is a real luxury. Being the big city there is a wide range of styles, trends and prices. I would add the Mall "Príncipe Pío" is near the "Downtown" and are the brands that you like it. I also recommend the Alcalá Street at the level of sales where there are many not expensive boutiques.
I hope this information has helped.

Ps: sorry my English is not very good. I speak better Spanish, Catalonian, German and Platdüüsch.

Following on from Pedmar´s info that Pedro del Hierro are the official outfitters to Real Madrid ( first time i'd heard that ! ) .. Cortefiel stocks Pedro del Hierro as well as having their own store . Some years ago I was at the crazy "rebajas" ( sales ) looking for a fitted smart leather jacket . I bought a Pedro del Hierro in Cortefiel marked down from €500 to €100 !!! Also , in the rebajas , I bought a black velvet jacket ( popular in Madrid worn with jeans ) from Purificación García on Serrano marked down from €499 to €99 !! So it´s worth checking out dates of the "rebajas" , and bring an extra suitcase .
Also, for guys , check out the shoe stores around Puerta del Sol and up Calle Montera where I bought a pair of black leather shoes by "Fluchos " .... very famous shoes in Spain and hugely comfortable to be worn casual or smart . Or buy a pair of boots from either Panama Jacks or Joe Sánchez . I got a pair of Joe Sánchez boots that made me look very "flamenco" in the gypsy bars !
Calle Fuencarral is very good for menswear with big name stores such as Levi , Pepe of London , Jack Jones , Burberry , Sisley etc ... . If your looking for something a little over the top , try Calle Hortaleza in the heart of gay Madrid . Lots of glittery t-shirts and tight fitting clothes for men .
Also close to where I used to live is Calle Goya ( off of Serrano ) , full of shops like H&M , Cortefiel , Zara , El Corte Inglés , Massimo Dutti as well as independent stores .
Loewe , on Serrano , is fantasic though as Puna mentioned , it's VERY expensive . However they sell an Eau de Toilette for men called " 7 " very masculine and they launched it with a campaign featuring the hugely famous and handsome bullfighter " Cayetano " . The bill boards have him dressed in his Traje de Luces .
I hate the big shopping centres , though I have to say the one I visited a few times in San Sebastián de los Reyes had every store you could imagine . Closer to the centre of town you could try the shopping centre which forms a part of the Príncipe Pio rail station , very near to the Palacio Real .

Hello,

Furthermore, in all areas and shops that Mr. Robinson has said, add-ons such as leather wallets, belts, handbags etc of the best Spanish products in Salvador Bachiller, a store that is also in sales and is characterized by Spanish design and quality.
There are throughout the city but there is in Gran Via, Goya street or Alberto Aguilera street. All at downtown in Madrid.

Steve & Losaustrias,

Thank you both! This is great info, especially for men's stores of which I had no knowledge.

I also hate the malls; they just seems so generic and boring - especially to visitors. Admit I do use malls in the US - so much easier and can imagine the same is true for anyone living in my favorite city.

And Losaustrias - don't appologize for your English - it is far far better than my now very rusty Spanish!

I've bought most of my Spain-clothes at "Springfield", a men&women's youngsters' shop with well-priced, somewhat stylish-yet-casual clothes. They're all over Spain, I think.

Saludos, MadridMan