Uniqlo is the queen of basics. Solid color tank tops, short-sleeved t-shirts, long-sleeved…read moret-shirts, cardigans, hoodies, capris, jeans... Have I named every clothing item in existence yet? If you're looking for work wear, Uniqlo is the place to be. The main section of Uniqlo has every kind of clothing item possible and in every color possible. You can probably pick up the same v-neck t-shirt in about seven different colors here. Uniqlo specializes in basics, but they have a section where they partner with brands that you would think are pretty unimaginable in the clothing industry. They've partnered with Campbell - yes, the soup - before, and they had a series of t-shirts with different soup cans on them. Strange, but you'd be surprised that they're actually popular! The more common themes they've done are cartoons like Snoopy, Tom and Jerry and Mickey Mouse. Last year, they collaborated with UK furniture store Laura Ashley - while the patterns were nice, all the tops kind of looked like table cloth to me! I guess this is the section for the more quirky of the personalities - I don't know about you, but the idea of being a walking advertisement for Campbell soup is not for me. The quality of clothes at Uniqlo is good, but they wear out after a while. Uniqlo has a pretty big sleepwear section, stocking sets in cute and colorful prints. They feel really good too - the quality is kind of like velour. I've bought a couple of sets over the years and find that with repeated washes, the material hardens and results in little raised fur balls (for the Cantonese-speaking, the colloquial term is 'hei mo' or 起毛). I've bought cardigans here before and this didn't happen, and I can't speak for t-shirts because I don't own any from here. Perhaps it's just the velour-like material that causes this to happen over time? You'll be glad to know that Uniqlo is quite affordable - a typical t-shirt is $99, and a hoodie probably $199. The reason I don't buy from Uniqlo more often is because I find that their stuff is a little baggy and lacks cutting. Otherwise, Uniqlo is a great place to stock up on basics at an affordable price!

The flagship store with several levels of clothes for everyone. They often have specials on where…read moreyou get a discount for buying 2 items. Men be careful with the size as they are non standard. Try them on first as although I wear medium to large most tmes, it was XL at Uniqlo. There is a good selection of kids and women clothes as well. Nice place to shop.

I only give this place a 4 because I have not had an opportunity to wear many of my purchases and…read morelaunder them to know how the quality will stand up over some time. But I love COS and love that I discovered this store. I am not a fashionista, but I do love well made clothes that look taylored and yet have room to function and move. I always read care labels before a purchase and I do shy away from merino wool because it can pull and not wash well if not extremely well made. COS does have many pieces made of merino wool, so I kind of looked past these items. The clothes might use a lesser quality fabric on many pieces, but the cut and tayloring is current and comparable to items you would find in any high end retailer. The clothes, brand and price point kind of make me think of this brand as higher end than an H&M, less quality and cheaper price than Saks Fifth Avenue brands, equal in cut, structure and function as Marimekko and other equaivalent cut, high-end clothing lines in many ways and very current in the realm of what is happening in fashion. Simple lines, simple colors, modern. For business or casual, COS offers classic pieces I hope to have in my wardrobe for some time. COS is out of England. As stated on their website: "COS is a fashion brand for women and men who want modern, functional, considered design. Offering reinvented classics and wardrobe essentials, we create pieces that are made to last beyond the season. Traditional methods and new techniques merge to form timeless, understated collections. Since launching in 2007, we have opened stores worldwide in carefully considered locations, applying an architectural design concept that preserves buildings' original features whilst creating a modern, welcoming space." The store itself is a two story structure. Lots of staff if you needed assistance and pretty open space to browse around. Men's clothes are on the second floor. Store seems well organized. There are some comfortable seats throughout if you had a spouse who needed to park it while you look around.

Before departing for Hong Kong I thought to search and see if the city had a COS (H&M's high end…read morecousin) and to my surprise and delight, they had not one but two locations! COS (Collection Of Style) was a wardrobe staple of mine when I lived in London. (COS hasn't yet made it to the USA.) As a regular COS shopper I knew the sizing of the clothes here is often variable (in some items I'm an XS, others I'm a M) so I took armloads into the dressing room. I think this is a good strategy in almost any shop (if you're going to go through the hassle to take your clothes off to try on one item, you might as well try on six, right?) but even moreso here. Think you're a medium? Take a small and a large in with you too! This COS shop is on the medium-large side, with two stories and women's, men's and children's offerings. I tried on heaps of clothing and ended up going home with a fun grey jumper whose sleeves you can turn up to reveal a bright blue inside lining, an oversized sweatshirt dress and a cashmere hat. COS is definitely worth a look if you want to inject some Scandinavian cool into your closet.

Iroiro means "various" (things) in Japanese, and that is exactly what this shop has! It's in the…read moremiddle of the MTR Central station, so it is easy to spot. You can find many cute authentic Japanese items, from everyday carry essentials, stuffed animals, and random knick knacks. Most of the stuff I would say is on the "kawaii" side, so it's definitely catered to women, but they do have unisex items, such as umbrellas and backpacks. I myself purchased a tiny umbrella from a brand called "Miracle Tech," and it has been a godsend for urban adventures. It's not cheap, but you do get what you pay for! Despite its small size, it keeps me high and dry, never flips inside out, and has fast become my rainy day go-to companion even during bomb cyclone season! The next time I swing by this station, I'll be sure to check out more of the "いろいろ" (iroiro) items they have to offer!

This is another stop I had to make every time I am in HK. This place used to be caulk full of…read morevendors and little stores fill with anything video games. Since my last visit here 4 years ago, much of the stores have been closed. Many of the stores now have been taken over by phone, computers or even food stalls. I even saw one of stores were now an adult toy store, which is a very weird place to be. There are still plenty of choices to chose from, there were many businesses that have switch over to toys as well. I am both a toy and video game geek, so I was very happy. Unlike some of the other specialize areas of shopping in HK, like the computer shopping area has buildings and blocks having the same stuff. The Oriental 188 is very isolated, they do have one building fill with games and stuff, but nothing surrounding it. So if you are looking for a game hunting adventure that would last ALL day, you may be slightly disappointed. If not, fantastic place to go to.

BEWARE OF SCAM PHONE REPAIR HERE: IMPRESSION DIGITAL…read more They stole my phone! I dropped off a $1,000 Note 8 phone and they kept it! I went to get it the next day as they were to fix the glass and they were closed. They stayed closed for 2 days until they knew I was leaving Hong Kong. They STILL have my phone TWO months later and refuse to mail it to me, they laughed and said I should fly back to Hong Kong to get it as they were not spending money to ship phones. I even gave them my credit card number so I would pay for it -- and they have every excuse not to send it. Lamp Pui is the owner and she is impossible to deal with. She plays games, like blocking me from WhatsApp, not answering her phone or playing games on email. I just got the police involved and hope she gets arrested. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING TO IMPRESSION DIGITAL AND LAMP PUI. (BTW: They didn't even fix the glass as the owner LAMP PUI claimed she "didn't know how to fix it.") BEWARE!