Clothing shopping in China
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Sānlǐtún Yashou Clothing Market
After slogging through this hopping, five-floor bedlam of shoes, boots, handbags, suitcases, jackets, silk, carpets, batik, lace, jade, pearls, toys, army surplus and souvenirs, ease the pressure on your bunions with a foot massage (Y50 per hour) or pedicure (Y40) on the 4th floor and restore calories in the 5th-floor food court.
reviewed
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Zhejiang Huzhou Bedding Factory
The ‘factory’ is no more than a large outdoor workbench where family members measure out and comb silk quilts ( 蚕丝被; cánsī bèi ) right on the street. A popular Shànghǎi purchase, silk quilts (comforters) are lighter weight and more breathable than their down counterparts. They are sold by density (1.5kg or 2kg are reasonable choices). The prices are fixed (Y650 for a 2kg queen-sized quilt) and cheaper than anywhere else in town. They also sell their quilts at the Wangjia Docks Fabric Market (( 王家码头丝绸面料市场; Wángjiā Mǎtou Sīchóu Miànliào Shìchǎng; 191 Nancang St; 南仓街 191 号 ), across from the South Bund Fabric Market.
reviewed
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C
Shanghai Tang
Hong Kong-based Shanghai Tang flies the flag for the Middle Kingdom in the world of high-end fashion. The designs are classic Chinese with a twist, incorporating fluorescent colours, traditional motifs and luxury fabrics like silk and cashmere into the clothes and accessories. More affordable items include the slinky tops (from Y1500) and the scarves (Y985), but if you have to ask the price of an item here you can’t afford it. There are other branches in the Jinjiang Hotel complex and Pudong Shangri-La.
reviewed
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D
Shokay
If the sign outside (‘100% yak!’) doesn’t catch your attention, we don’t know what will. Shokay is one of the few places in the world where you can pick up hand-knit clothing made entirely out of, yup, yak wool – which is a surprisingly soft, supple material. A nonprofit organisation, they support Tibetan herders (who gather the wool) and Chongming Island farmers (who do the knitting) and use revenue to help Chinese minority groups start their own businesses. Scarves start at Y980.
reviewed
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E
Silk Street
Seething with shoppers and polyglot (and increasingly tactile) vendors, Silk Street was for long synonymous with fake knock-offs, and some pirated labels survive. The market sprawls from floor to floor, shoving piles of rucksacks, shoes, silk, cashmere and tailor-made qípáo into the overloaded mitts of travellers and expats. Haggle fiendishly (credit cards accepted).
reviewed
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Mega Mega Vintage
Classic vintage clothing shop hits the nail on the head with a mock-up of an old British red phone box as its fitting room and a great selection of blouses, leather jackets and retro togs galore.
reviewed
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Huā Yàng Nián Huá
Huā Yàng Nián Huá takes its name from the Chinese title of the Wong Kar Wai movie In the Mood for Love, which featured Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung in an array of stunning qípáo. Fittingly, they make fine tailor-made qípáo here from Y1200, but there’s no guarantee you’ll look like Ms Cheung once you slip one on.
reviewed
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Muji
This Japanese mini-department-store chain is somewhere between the amazingly diverse iterations you’ll find in Japan and the slightly blander versions you’ll find in Europe. You name it – this place has a smart, inexpensive version of it whether it be smart and wearable his and hers fashion, stationery, accessories, snacks or household items.
reviewed
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Vintage Store
Can't leave Běijīng without that retro Bruce Lee T-shirt? Desperate to replace your vintage Levi's? Then this is the place for you. With posters of Steve McQueen on the wall, a solid selection of old-school T-shirts (around Y100), jackets and jeans (around Y800), entering this funky little store is like stepping back in time to the '70s.
reviewed
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J
Shiatzy Chen
One of the top names in Asian haute couture, Taiwanese designer Shiatzy Chen finds her inspiration in traditional Chinese aesthetics. Her exclusive collections (women’s and men’s apparel) display a painstaking attention to detail and cross cultural boundaries with grace. Located at the entrance to the Jinjiang Hotel.
reviewed
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Silk King
The city’s largest fabric chain sells attractive silk from Y158 per metre, although prices can go far higher. In-store tailors can make you a custom-fit qípáo (cheongsam), shirt or jacket in three to 10 days for around Y1800. Twenty-four-hour rush jobs are also possible. There are numerous branches around Shànghǎi.
reviewed
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Silk King
The city’s largest fabric chain sells attractive silk from Y158 per metre, although prices can go far higher. In-store tailors can make you a custom-fit qípáo (cheongsam), shirt or jacket in three to 10 days for around Y1800. Twenty-four-hour rush jobs are also possible. There are numerous branches around Shànghǎi.
reviewed
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L
Urban Tribe
Urban Tribe is the only contemporary Shànghǎi label to draw inspiration from the ethnic groups of China and Southeast Asia. The collection of loose-fitting blouses, pants and jackets are made of natural fabrics and are a refreshing departure from the city’s on-the-go attitude and usual taste for flamboyance.
reviewed
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Chouchou Chic
French-Chinese hybrid Chouchou Chic sells kids’ clothes (ages 0 to 8) that are infinitely cuter than what you find at the souvenir stalls. Most of the clothing is Western-style, but you can find some attractive floral-patterned fabrics and Chinese-style cotton dresses as well. Prices start at Y148.
reviewed
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Chouchou Chic
French-Chinese hybrid Chouchou Chic sells kids’ clothes (ages 0 to 8) that are infinitely cuter than what you find at the souvenir stalls. Most of the clothing is Western-style, but you can find some attractive floral-patterned fabrics and Chinese-style cotton dresses as well. Prices start at Y148.
reviewed
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Five Colours Earth
Unique, distinctive and stylish clothing items – coats, jackets, lovely skirts and sexy tops – featuring embroideries made by the Miao minority from Guìzhōu.
reviewed
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Lu Ping Trendsetters
Beautiful, hand-embroidered qipao (traditional Chinese dresses) can be ordered here. The quality is superb and Lu Ping is one of the few Chinese designers still specialising in making them. He does menswear too. Call ahead to make an appointment.
reviewed
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Huguo Lu
This has become a smaller version of Bangkok's Khao San Rd in its profusion of clothes shops. Most shopkeepers can also make clothes to your specifications - which will come as a relief when you see some of the items of ready-made clothing on offer.
reviewed
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Amours Antiques
This wonderful shop stocks antique (well, old) rhinestone jewellery, frocks, and a darling clutch of beaded and tapestry bags dating from early last century. There are also vases, candle holders and Buddha figurines. Good gift-shopping territory.
reviewed
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Wuzhou Friendship Silk Trade Company
Located in the embassy district, this tailor/material store is familiar with foreigners and 'foreigner' sizes and styles. Qipao (figure-hugging Chinese-style dresses) and men's shirts take two to three days.
reviewed
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La Vie
Jenny Ji has made a name for herself with her stylish take on street fashion, including patterned jeans and nicely cut shirts. None of it comes cheap, though: jeans start at Y6900 and even the T-shirts go for Y3200.
reviewed
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La Vie
Jenny Ji has made a name for herself with her stylish take on street fashion, including patterned jeans and nicely cut shirts. None of it comes cheap, though: jeans start at Y6900 and even the T-shirts go for Y3200.
reviewed
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S
Ritan Office Building
The office workers moved out and the hip clothing stores moved in. It's an odd set-up but the stores are great with wares a notch up from what you usually find in the markets. A favourite with nearby embassy staff.
reviewed
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Mushi
French-born Caroline Deleens lived in China as a teenager and has returned to Beijing with her own clothing line that mixes cool, sexy European styles with traditional Chinese fabrics, especially silk.
reviewed
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Jùnměizǔ
Hunt through the racks for brand-name markdowns (shirts, pants and shoes), selling from Y30 to Y200. The collection is all over the place, but you’ll definitely find some bargains here.
reviewed