Clothes and Shoe Shopping in Istanbul??

The short answer is yes. The long answer depends on what you're looking for and your budget. On the European (tourist side) of Istanbul, Istiklal Street is a popular shopping street. Nisantasi has higher end stores (around Abdi Ipekci St.). There are also what I call "districts" - clusters of shops selling similar goods - scattered around the city. You hotel is probably your best resource to help you find one with the items you're looking for. Don't discount the Grand Bazaar - there are some nicer shops mixed in with the stores both in it and around it on the streets outside. I know that there is a clothing district adjacent to it. Good luck.

Have you checked out the information in RS Istanbul Guide Book yet? Lots of good information there that we used when we spent time there last summer.

When I went two years ago, I found reasonably-priced, fashionable clothes at the shops on Istiklal Caddesi, the pedestrianized street in the new town near Taksim Square. There was also a branch of the popular Spanish retailer Zara there.

We were in Greece and Turkey in Septmeber. We weren't impressed with shopping in Istanbul. We were on a Tauck cruise/land tour of Greece and Turkey. My husband and I both got sick from all the heavy smoke in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar was terrible. I was sick for two weeks. We only spent a half an hour there, but it was intolerable. Our Tauck tour operator and our cruise operator told us to beware of buying anything at the Grand Bazaar. Elaine, Mission Viejo, Ca.

We shopped at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul on two separate occasions,going with the attitude of having a good time.We visited with some of the merchants,learned what they were all about and were shown great courtesy.One of the vendors showed us his back room inventory.We were never pressured into buying anything and were pleased he took time to explain things to us.He also was proud to tell us he has a daughter living in the US.We bought fabric, clothing and touristy trinkets and had great fun doing so.We had a great time exploring the whole place and enjoyed lunch there. We travelled on our own,were careful as we would be in any large American city,and would go back again. We expected to have a good time and we did. There are many shopping districts around the city.You should have researched what was available,before being locked into one option.
Mrs.Monte