From the polished windows and grand granite buildings on Ingram Street to the lo-fi galleries that line Parnie Street, the Merchant City is a tale of two shoppers: as one strolls in and out of top boutiques, paper bags flapping in the wind and metal heels clip-clopping on the pavement, the other shuffles self-consciously in sandshoes, vinyl records under their arm and artful styling wax in their hair.

Starting at Buchanan Street, Fifi & Ally’s Princes Square branch continues to cater to the more discerning lady who lunches with choice labels and delicious cakes. On Ingram Street, fashionistas edge discreetly into Boudiche for exotic lingerie before a swift trip to Niche Optical Tailors to make sure their eyewear is as stylish as their knickers. Away from the gloss of Ingram Street, Brazen will indulge all your self indulgent whims with quality but quirky jewellery and accessories, while GOOD:D on James Morrison Street is a brilliant new museum to household design, selling and showing beautiful modern classics. Catering to both sides of the Merchant City, a trio of vintage shops cluster around King Street: high end at Brigitte, quirky and recycled at Tatty Bons and classic retro at Mr Ben’s.

Taking a quirky route back into town, Monorail is Glasgow’s premier independent record shop while yellow-fronted A1 Comics caters to the graphic novel geek inside you. 23 Enigma will meet all your occult needs with everything from spell books to Shamanistic crystals, or take things a little less seriously in Tam Shepherd’s Trick Shop a brilliant family-run business going for over a century and still stocking rubber chickens for under a tenner. Finishing off, Sloan’s Market lines the alley linking Buchanan and Argyle Streets with excellent independent local traders hawking everything from silk-screened T-shirts to artisan sausages on the weekends. And you can grab a much-needed pint. Phew.

GOOD:D are offering List Readers 10% off Thorsten Van Elten products. See www.list.co.uk/offers to find out more.