Docks Caviar

A skull invites you into the building at number 70 on Vlaamsesteenweg/rue de Flandre, but don’t let the macabre side of this establishment frighten you off. The shop that used to be here sold wedding dresses with meringue skirts, but now the place exudes pure rock ‘n’ roll. As you walk into Docks Caviar, you are met by that typical smell of second-hand goods with which most vintage shoppers will be very familiar. You are immediately catapulted back to America in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. It feels almost as though you’ve walked into a garage sale with grey concrete walls, neon lamps, and hard rock blasting through the sound system. The checkout is a wooden café bar decorated with an immense American flag. On the wall there is a lit-up advert for Budweiser. The clothes are all arranged by theme. Almost every single label here states “Made in USA”, so you can actually buy things that you are not likely to find anywhere else in Brussels. There are of course copious pairs of jeans, in addition to shirts, coats, and an impressive collection of Levi’s originals. You can combine these with a great-looking lumberjack shirt and sturdy cowboy boots, ready to go and explore the Texan plains. Alternatively, you could opt for the beach boy look with a colourful Hawaiian short and matching sunglasses. For the ladies there are white retro tennis dresses, leather skirts, or glitter and glamour from Vegas with shimmering blouses, high heels, and fur collars. Tough baseball jackets emblazoned with “Massachusetts University” and original basketball sweaters will transport you straight to “the American dream”. And you’ll also find plenty of accessories: handbags, shoes, belts, hats, scarves… The Hispanic influences make the whole thing extra exotic with colourful ponchos and plaids. Prices range from 10 euro for a T-shirt to 100 euro for leather jackets. The racks are replenished with new clothes every week, that are flown in directly from the States, personally selected by the French owner. Despite the fact that the salespeople look quite rough in their skinny jeans, piercings, and tattoos, they certainly don’t bite. You should also check Docks Caviar’s Facebook page, where you can see them pose as fashion models. This newcomer is definitely worth a visit for both students and higher-earning fashionistas. Leave Docks Caviar as the new James Dean or Daisy Duke. America, here I come!

DOCKS CAVIAR ••••
Vlaamsesteenweg 70-72 rue de Flandre, Brussel/Bruxelles, 02-513.38.56, ma/lu/Mo, di/ma/Tu & zo/di/Su, 13 > 19.00, wo/me/We > za/sa/Sa 11 > 19.00