Amsterdam shopping guide: where to go and what to buy

The beauty of shopping in Amsterdam is that, with unique boutiques, eateries, coffee shops (the kind that deal in flat whites rather than green buds) and galleries in most cosy neighbourhoods, there's no need for ugly scenes when it comes to deciding where to flash the cash. Ramble through the 'Nine Streets' (those small lanes connecting Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and Herengracht in between Raadhuisstrat and Leidsegracht) which used to be the go-to for vintage threads but are increasingly packed to the gills with upmarket boutiques by the likes of Filippa K and Dutch underwear queen Marlies Dekkers; delve into the Jordaan's many dinky and quirky merchants; or tackle the ritzy glam and designer brands of the PC Hooftstraat, the place you're most likely to rub shoulder pads with a native celebrity in the process of re-wardrobing.

For fans of Delftware pottery and Golden Age painting, the Spiegelkwartier across the road from the Rijksmuseum is packed with shops selling real treasures at accordingly high prices. Dress for success and keep your nose in the air if you want to fit in with the legions of big-spending locals here. One thing's for certain: wherever you set foot, you are assured retail treasures of every stripe.