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They say the only way to get to know a place is to do what the locals do. When in Rome, scoot around on a Vespa and drink espresso. When in Hong Kong, shop. For most people in this city, shopping is a leisure activity, whether that means picking out a four-figure party dress, rifling through bins at an outlet, upgrading a cell phone, or choosing the freshest fish for dinner.
Shopping is so sacred that sales periods are calendar events, and most stores close on just three days a year—Christmas Day and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Imagine that: 362 days of unbridled purchasing. Opening hours are equally conducive to whiling your life away browsing the racks: all shops are open until 7 or 8 pm; many don't close their doors until midnight.
It's true that the days when everything in Hong Kong was mind-bogglingly cheap are over. It is still a tax-free port, so you can get some good deals. But it isn't just about the savings. Sharp contrasts and the sheer variety of experiences available make shopping here very different from back home.
You might find a bargain or two elbowing your way through a chaotic open-air market filled with haggling vendors selling designer knockoffs, the air reeking of the chou tofu ("stinky" tofu) bubbling at a nearby food stand. But then you could find a designer number going for half the usual price in a hushed marble-floor mall, the air scented by the designer fragrances of your fellow shoppers. What's more, in Hong Kong the two extremes are often within spitting distance of each other.
Needless to say, thanks to travelers like you running out of space in their suitcases, Hong Kong does a roaring trade in luggage. No need to feel guilty, though—shopping here is practically cultural research. All you're doing is seeing what local life is really like.
Since the 1960s, Mayer has been making excellent custom-order shoes and accessories in leather, lizard, crocodile, and ostrich. Go to them for the classic pieces for which they became famous rather than this season's "it" bag. Prices for ladies shoes start at several hundred U.S. dollars and peak at roughly US$2,000.
Anyone who loves a good thrift-store rummage will delight in the messy abandon of Me & George (also known as Mee & Gee), not to mention the rock-bottom prices. Clothing here start at HK$10. Yes, you heard right! Expect a mix of poorly made factory rejects and vintage dresses, shoes, and handbags. Fitting is not usually allowed (as is the case with most small fashion import outlets), but staff are often tolerant of quick try-ons in front of a mirror.
This 18-story mall is a great option for family shopping expeditions: those with minimal retail stamina can amuse themselves at IKEA, the IMAX theater, or the skating rink, and there are also numerous on-site eateries. However, unlike other malls that are in walking distance from MTR stations, visitors need to take a free shuttle here from the Kowloon Bay MTR station. To catch it, exit the MTR station at Exit A and go through Telford Plaza; you can always ask the Plaza concierge if you're confused. Shuttles run about every 10 minutes.
Even if you're willing to shell out for an Hermès Kelly bag, how can anyone expect you to survive the waitlist? Milan Station resells the \"it\" bags of yesterday that have been retrieved from Hong Kong's fickle fashionistas. Inexplicably, the shop entrances (there are more than half a dozen here) were designed to look like MTR stations. The concept has been so successful, unimaginatively named copycats have sprung up, such as Paris Station. Discounts vary according to brand and trends, but the merchandise is in good condition.
Not to be confused with the neighboring Miramar Shopping Centre, this mall targets Hong Kong's young elite and has offerings like agnès b. and Coach.
Don't be deterred by the somewhat dated mannequins in the windows. Mode Elegante is a favorite source for custom-made suits among women and men in the know. Tailors here specialize in European cuts. You'll have your choice of fabrics from the United Kingdom, Italy, and elsewhere. Your records are put on file so you can place orders from abroad. It'll even ship the completed garment to you almost anywhere on the planet. Alternatively, you can make an appointment with director Gary Zee, one of Hong Kong's traveling tailors, who makes regular visits to North America, Australia, Europe, and Japan.
As if running a magazine, website, and radio station weren’t enough, Monocle also has a handful of retail outlets, and Hong Kong devotees of the London-based media brand rejoiced when its store-cum-office opened on Star Street's St. Francis Yard in 2010. Whether shopping for excellent reading material or stylish accessories (picture trendy totes, linen-bound notebooks, greeting cards, and embossed card cases), you'll be in good company.
This midrange Japanese brand arrived in town in 2006. The tight-fitting tees and vintage-wash jeans are a big hit among young local women who are going for the rock-star look.
One of the top children's clothing stalls in Stanley Market sells everything from play-date clothes to Christmas Day bests. Push your way through the piles and hanging examples of tasteful, brand-name pieces for babies, boys, and girls. Come here first, then do some comparison shopping before pulling out your wallet.
Those familiar with this Japanese brand are often delighted to find one of its stores, and Hong Kong now has more than a dozen branches. The full name is Mujirishi Ryohin (meaning \"no-brand quality goods\"), which only partly describes the sleek minimalism of everything from household items and stationery to clothing and simply packaged snacks.
Some of the items at Nlostnfound could use a bath, but the clutter has a lot of character. Take the time to browse through the jumble of old-world trinkets—1940s clocks, Shanghai lamps, 20s-era luggage trunks, antique furniture, colorful wind-up walking toys, typewriters, and postcards—and you'll likely unearth something worth salvaging.
Irish expat Olive Forrest has cleverly retained original elements of the former print shop that houses her bright-red store. With a unique sense of style, she brings together Chinese and Tibetan antiques, modern lighting designed in-house, home accessories, high-quality bed linens for children and adults, and a line of colorful contemporary furniture.
The surroundings are functional, but the gowns, wedding dresses, and cheongsams by local designer Olivia Yip are lavish. With a growing clientele—including socialites looking to stand out—Yip is quietly making a name for herself and her Parisian-influenced pieces.
This store's brand directory reads like a fashion editor's wish list of world-famous shoe, bag, accessory, and jewelry designers. The main branch can be found in Central's Joyce boutique, but you might see the same brands at Lane Crawford—that's because they're sister companies. For the same aesthetics at lower prices, check out trendy younger sibling Pedder Red at the Gateway Arcade in Harbour City.
This atmospheric, high-ceiling showroom feels like a cross between a shop and an art gallery. Designed by an in-house team, the home furnishings and accessories here are smart and rarely fussy. Beautiful, unvarnished blocks of wood, for example, are proposed as side tables. The store also carries a more European mix of in-house and international contemporary designs from brands like Tom Dixon, Fritz Hansen, and Andreu World.
Quieter and more exclusive than most competitors, this marble-clad mall is popular with well-to-do residents. High-end fashions, a Lane Crawford department store, and several excellent restaurants share the floor space, while some of Hong Kong's swankiest hotels cluster around it, including JW Marriott, the Island Shangri-La, Conrad, and the Upper House.
\n\nHigh-end international prêt-à-porter fills most of its four floors. When your bags are weighing you down, sandwiches, sushi, and Starbucks are on hand, as is a multiplex cinema. The JW Marriott, the Island Shangri-La, the Conrad, and the Upper House hotels are connected to this plaza, all with enticing afternoon tea options. Elevated walkways join Pacific Place with four arcades: the Admiralty Centre, United Centre, Queensway Plaza, and fashion-forward Lab Concept.
Hong Kong's tai-tais bring their couture here for adjustments, as evidenced by the Chanel, Escada, and Versace bags hanging overhead in the little workshop buzzing with the sound of sewing machines. Although primarily known for alterations, it also offers tailoring services for women.
This is where local photographers come for their equipment. Expect good prices on new cameras, lenses, and accessories. While you're here, pump the regular customers for insider tips.
It's a one-of-a-kind source for vintage posters (mainly with travel and movie themes), early photography of Hong Kong and elsewhere in China, antique maps, prints and engravings, antiquarian books, and limited-edition reproductions or works by artists such as Dong Kingman. You might imagine a dusty library, but Christopher Bailey's welcoming gallery is spacious, bright, and organized. In recent years, Bailey's offerings have shifted toward contemporary photography featuring exhibitions from the likes of William Furniss, Anton Lyalin, and National Geographic's Matthieu Paley. He has a second shop in the Prince's Building on Chater Road.
In the heart of an up-and-coming cultural district down in Aberdeen, this spacious industrial-chic loft-style gallery displays groundbreaking contemporary Chinese art alongside ancient Asian textiles and rugs. To get the most out of it, ask the refreshingly knowledgeable staff to escort you around.
Specializing in strung pearls from Australia and the South Seas, Po Kwong will add clasps to your specifications. They also carry pearl earrings, rings, and pendants.
As its name suggests, Practical Tailor is a refreshing change of pace from some of the stuffy and overpriced heavyweights just down the street. Popular among westerners and young professionals, the Shanghainese outfit is run by friendly and attentive co-owners Andy Shum and Jason Chan, who ensure every suit comes fully canvassed and hand stitched, inside and out. Depending on the quality of fabric—Inner Mongolia cashmere and silk from Ermenegildo Zegna will obviously run up the price—men's suits range from roughly HK$5,000 to HK$12,000.
Local maker Prestige does fashion-forward, acceptable-quality, reasonably priced shoes that will take wearers to work or around town. It's conveniently located in the Island Beverley mall, where you can buy an equally stylish and affordable outfit to match your new shoes.
This shop carries timepieces made by more than 60 international brands, including Omega, Chopard, Breguet, and IWC. There's other jewelry on sale as well, which may entertain those accompanying the avid watch shopper.
With ancient Chinese culture for inspiration and In the Mood for Love actress Maggie Cheung as the muse, something extraordinary was bound to come from Qeelin, whose name is cleverly derived from the Chinese mythical animal and icon of love. Classic gold, platinum, and diamonds are mixed with colored jades, black diamonds, and unusual materials for truly unique effects. The meaningful creations of designer Dennis Chan are exemplified in the signature collection: Wulu, a minimalist form representing the mythical gourd as well as the lucky number eight. The IFC Mall store is one of five in Hong Kong.
Locally based Rabeanco has a reasonably priced line of beautiful, quality bags in Italian leather. Expect designs that are contemporary and colorful, but never flashy or absurd.
Many a quirky Hong Kong street-wear trend is born in this fabulous micromall. Don't let its grubby exterior put you off: the arcade is a haven of Asian cool. Japanese designers are particularly well represented. Handmade shoes and oversize retro jewelry are other fixtures, all at bargain prices.
Looking at the rocks in these windows can feel like a visit to a natural history museum. Large white- and rare-color diamonds sourced from all over the world are a specialty here, but the shop also deals in emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. With years of expertise, Abrams dispenses advice on both the aesthetic merits and the investment potential of each stone or piece of jewelry.
The fuchsia-pink signs that announce Hong Kong's best and largest cosmetic discounter will become familiar sights on any shopping expedition. Look for deals on everything from cheap glittery makeup to sleek designer lines. Fragrances are a particularly good buy; prices are usually even lower than those at airport duty-free shops.
It's a local institution, a bookstore, and a cat sanctuary, all rolled into one. This longstanding shop in the basement of an unassuming mall has a vast range of mostly Chinese books and foreign-language tomes that span Japanese manga and Nordic thrillers, among which a collection of rescued felines sprawl. While you're free to browse the books, don't touch the cats—the owner is adamant that this isn't a petting zoo.
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