Buying a Sari - Singapore or Hong Kong?
 

Hi

Need some advice. Following a few days in Hua Hin & Cambodia,I'm doing a business trip - Singapore - Dublin - Edinburgh - London - Hong Kong - Sydney

Two days after I get back, we are throwing a Bollywood party for my best friend. I need to buy a Sari. I would think that Little India in Sg would be the best place to buy a sari but I'm flying Ryanair Dublin - Edinburgh & have weight restrictions. Is there anywhere in Kong Kong that would be equivalent to Little India? I'm tall and plus size.

Definitely in Singapore.

Definitely Singapore but you can also get saris in Sydney too but of course much more expensive. BTW, the top needs to be fitted so give yourself some time for alterations in Singapore. If you need help wearing one, the sari shops in Flemington and Liverpool are very helpful and will dress you for the party.

Saris don't weigh very much unless you are going to spend a lot of money on a heavy Benares silk one, which I can't imagine you want to do for a sari which you are going to wear once for a party. Get a chiffon, organza or even just a cotton or some poly blend that is lighter and does not cost a lot. In addition to having the blouse fitted, the petticoat will probably need to be fitted and hemmed to your height, so do give yourself a day or a few hours for this. If you have time, you can usually have a blouse made to match the sari, i.e. the border on the sleeves of the blouse can be of the same material as the border of the sari.

Also, you could easily and IMO cheaply mail yourself the sari from Singapore if you really are concerned about weight restrictions in your luggage. The shop may even mail it for you, but Singapore Post is very reliable and should not be expensive. Take a look at http://www.singpost.com.sg/ for rates. Same with Hong Kong, take a look at http://www.hongkongpost.com/.

I agree Singapore may be better in terms of a broader selection, but you can get sari here in Hong Kong too if you have to. If you want some really fashion-forward saris, Punjabi outfits, etc try Sanskrit in the Hollywood Road area (see http://www.sanskrit.com.hk/). The store is not cheap, but nothing there is your off-the-rack sari either... I hve the card of more traditional shop on Des Veoux Road, I will post it later. Two places in Hong Kong to look for inexpensive saris would be Mirador Mansions and Chungking Mansion in the Yau Ma Tei area of Kowloon, there are dozens of tiny shops there. While quite run-down, the buildings are safe so don't have any worries if the buildings look like crack houses....

In Singapore, two places to try in Little India would be the Handlooms at #01-18 in the Little India Arcade at 48 Serangoon Road (corner of Campbell Lane) and Boopalee Fashions at 84 Serangoon. I believe both are open every day.

Finally, I can't believe that you can't find a sari in Sydney. Have you looked? You might want to do a little shopping at least before you leave so you can compare prices so you don't overpay for one thing. You can even buy saris on line today.

Thanks KM Loke, Cilla and Cicerone

I leave Sydney next week and have a project to finish and deliver before I leave so I just don't have time to go out to Flemington & Liverpool for fittings stc before I go.

I think Singapore is the way to go as it won't take time to get to Little India.
I'm staying at Lanson Place so it will be a bit of trip to get across to Chungking Mansions plus I have more time in Singapore.

Time really crept up on me and I suddenly realised I get back to Sydney on the Thursday and I will have a hundred people here on the Saturday. Not as bad as it sounds as my husband is doing all the catering and my girlfriend is very organised (not like me!).

Singapore for sure. I don't buy saris, but Indonesian, batik sarongs there regularly. However, I have been in the Indian section of town and also Arab Street where I buy my sarongs and there's tons of fabric choices. They weigh very little and you can pack them in a plastic bag. Happy Travels!