14 Best Places to Shop in Hong Kong, China

Unlike many famous Hong Kong tailors, you won't find the legendary Sam's in a chic hotel or sleek mall. But don't be fooled. These digs in humble Burlington Arcade, a tailoring hub, have hosted everyone from U.S. presidents (back as far as Richard Nixon) to performers such as the Black Eyed Peas, Kylie Minogue, and Blondie. This former uniform tailor to the British troops once even made a suit for Prince Charles in a record hour and 52 minutes. The men's and women's tailor does accept 24-hour suit or shirt orders, but will take about two days if you're not in a hurry. Founded by Naraindas Melwani in 1957, \"Sam\" is now his son, Manu Melwani, who runs the show with the help of his own son, Roshan, and about 57 tailors behind the scenes. In 2004 Sam's introduced a computerized bodysuit that takes measurements without a tape measure (it uses both methods, however). These tailors also make biannual trips to Europe and North America: schedule updates are listed on the website.

Around since 1978, Japanese brand 45R has garnered a reputation for ultracomfortable, exquisitely crafted jeans. Following the successes of outposts in Paris and New York, a flagship store opened on Star Street in 2008. Amid the minimalist surroundings, find heaps of its famous hand-dyed denim as well as breezy button-downs, wooly sweaters, and understated frocks.

This inexpensive chain carries men's and women's business wear. It's a great place to look for suits with matching shirts (and ties) for a good price. Expect a mix of city-chic and casual, and especially good fits for anyone petite.

Hong Kong's version of the Gap is the most established and ubiquitous local source for basic T-shirts, jeans, and casual wear. Like its U.S. counterpart, the brand now has a bit more fashion sense, but prices are still reasonable. Although the flagship store is in Manson House on Nathan Road, you'll have no problem finding one on almost every major street.

If Giordano is the Gap, giordano ladies is the Banana Republic, albeit with a more Zen aesthetic. Find clean-line modern classics in neutral black, gray, white, and beige; each collection is brightened by a soft highlight color, such as leafy green, indigo, or rusty orange. Everything is elegant enough for the office and comfortable enough for the plane.

Championing fashion innovation, this avant-garde men's and women's concept store carries a vast selection of top international and local designers. Walking through its sprawling four floors is an experience in itself—it's divided by brands, and each brand has a distinct, artistic space. Whether you're looking for a wild new ensemble from Comme des Garçons, or funky sunglasses from in-house brand Neith, you're likely to find something special here.

This team of local designers creates simple but whimsical clothing with a trendy urban edge. The bags and accessories strike a soft vintage tone, fitting the store's fashionably worn interiors, casually strewn secondhand furniture, and sultry jazz soundtrack. 

A fixture on the Hong Kong fashion scene for decades, Lu Lu Cheung creates designs that exude comfort and warmth. In both daytime and evening wear, natural fabrics and forms are represented in practical yet imaginative ways.

After you've found a handful of reputable, high-quality tailors, one way to choose between them is price. Maxwell's is known for its competitive rates. It's also a wonderful place to have favorite men’s and women’s shirts and suits copied. It was founded by third-generation tailor Ken Maxwell in 1961 and follows Shanghai tailoring traditions, while also providing the fabled 24-hour suit upon request. The showroom and workshop are in Kowloon, but son Andy and his team take appointments in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe twice annually.

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.

Korean-English ex-lawyer Sonjia Norman crafts quietly luxurious, one-of-a-kind pieces and modified vintage clothing under the Sonjia label. Her clothes span occasions from yoga classes to dinner parties; plus, the boutique also offers an array of jewelry, scarves, and home accessories.

Local bad boy Henry Lau brings an edgy attitude to his fashion for men and women. Bold and often dark, with a touch of bling, his clothing and accessories lines are not for the fainthearted. 

Modern and minimalist, Vein's decor is in perfect harmony with its Nordic apparel. The lineup of Scandinavian luxury labels and home accessories is updated regularly, but you can usually find at least a dozen stalwart, simple-yet-elegant brands, including Filippa K and Rodebjer. Expect clean lines, a muted palette, and unexpected splashes of color.

Hong Kong--bred, New York--based designer Vivienne Tam is known for her colorful modern Chinese designs, like denim jackets styled after kung fu tops and T-shirts that resemble cheongsam blouses. This boutique (she has several across Hong Kong, China, and Macau) is unique because it's in the middle of Lee Tung Avenue, a photo-worthy redeveloped pedestrian street that was formerly home to wedding-card printing businesses but is now packed with shops and cafés.