Clothes Shopping in Crete?

[TheNewKaren]

Our annual holiday is approaching fast and the DCs and I have rented an apartment in Crete, close to Rhethymno.

The DCs are ready to go and perfectly kitted out - I wish the same could be said for me! Budget restrictions and the bad weather have not been an incentive for me to splash out on a summer wardrobe and my current staples are a few pairs of shorts, swimwear, assorted tops accumulated over the last ten years or so and one dress. I have bought flip flops.
Can I just take my chances, travel with minimal luggage and buy what I need locally and cheaper?

Don't know about Crete but those sound like my holiday staples. In swimwear during the day and we don't go anywhere fancy with dinner (child friendly is the best I ask for). You might be able to pick up something in departures if you need an extra dress/outfit for evening. Have a great time.

I wouldn't wait til you get to Crete
There are not many clothing shops in Rethymnon and the few that are there are either tourist style or expensive Linen embroidered older styles

I don't know about Rethymno, but if you have a hire car and drive to Chania there are some great reasonably shops including:

Zara, Bershka, Pink Woman, Jennyfer, H&M and M&S. There are many others, but I can't remember their names! I bought lots of clothes there as the sales were on (late June), but I imagine the sales will still be on, just like in the U.K.

Sorry should have added definitely not cheaper
Far more cheaper options in the UK
Can u not do some online shopping and get next day delivery etc?
When do you fly

Thank you for all your replies, but I am disappointed. I was looking forward to great finds, linen dresses etc at bargain prices, but it does not look like this is on the agenda. I saw some great shops in Athens last year, but it was at the end of the holiday and I didn't buy anything.

I still have a good week until we go - getting back the night before the new term starts.

There will be very little choice and it will be much more expensive than here.

Just go to Primark or wherever and get enough to tide you over.

We've just come back from exactly there and I lived in shorts and vest or a loose vest dress all week when I wasn't in my bikini as it was meltingly hot.

There are a couple of places in Rethmynon - a Pink Woman and a few places doing designer knock-offs but also some nicer bits round the Old Town area. But I hear it's going to get even hotter so doubt you'll need much! Have a great holiday.

We've just been out for dinner in Rethymnon! Don't bother with shopping there , buy before you go. It is really warm at the moment (about 33C today) so you just need shorts and vests and flip flops.

Thank you all! Really looking forward to going, keep the advice coming!

The exchange rate is so bad with the Euro that there aren't any bargains . Most things seem more expensive than home. Rethymnon is beautiful - have you been there before? We went to a lovely restaurant called La Boheme as it's our wedding anniversary - really would recommend. Our DC are 15 and 17 but may not suit really young children.

I've just come back from exactly there too. Unless you want a fur coat or trainers you'll be in for thin pickings clothes-wise. On the flip side it's a great destination and we didn't want to come home.

My DCs are 13 and 17 and really looking forward to it.

Thank you for all your inputs, good to see that Rethymno is popular on Mumsnet.

Yeah what is with all the fur coat shops there?! Can't imagine why anyone would possibly want one given how hot it is!

The fur shops are for the Russians. It is really weird seeing a brand new building in the middle of nowhere that just sells fur coats. Apparently fur is much cheaper in Crete than in Russia.

I'm now going to order a black sleeveless linen dress that can be quickly hand washed.

I was able to pick up cotton kaftans at the Athens coast for 10 Euros last year that have survived many washes, as DD is wearing them round the house. I was expecting similar finds in Crete, but I'm not into fur ...

Which airport are you flying from?

We flew from Manchester a couple of weeks ago and there were plenty of clothes shops with sales on.

We are flying from Birmingham, I don't think there are many shops there. I am waiting for delivery of my dress and we are also off to France today for a few days, so I am hoping to find something suitable in Carrefour the tunnel shopping centres.

A word of warning. I bought a dress in Crete a year or so ago, a lovely print with hanky hem. It bleeds blue everywhere, down my legs, everywhere! If I sweat or put sun tan lotion on - I end up looking like a smurf!!!! - Also there was no label inside.

This wasn't where you were staying though.

That doesn't sound encouraging and similar had happened to me with a black top before ...

I have found a few bits and bobs in the Bensimon outlet and some quite nice linen clothes massively reduced in town at the weekend, so I have not splashed ourt and have also added a few useful items to my holiday repertoire. No need now to buy embroidered tops in Crete - I hope we will se the end of all those folklore fashion soon ...

Apologies for typos