I think most of us know of H&M, but not many from the states know of Monki. It's own by the same…read morecompany as H&M, but the style and quality of the clothes here are definitely a step up. I'd say Monki is a bit like Urban Outfitters. The clothes are trendy and it caters to people who want to be fashionable without spending a heap of money. This particular location was literally the size of a shoe box, so the selection was lacking compared to larger shops, but I was able to pick up a shirt and a bag. Both of which costs under $200 HKD!

I don't go to Mong Kok very often, but when I do, I try to squeeze in a trip to Monki at Langham…read morePlace. Monki is right next to H&M - and also, in my opinion, the worst H&M there is because it's permanently crowded and they never seem to turn up the air conditioning. So whenever I'm at Langham, I always give the H&M a miss and head straight for Monki. The clothes at Monki range from girly to things you can sort of create a goth look out of, making it a place where everyone can find something that they like. It's one of the few places I know with sizes XXS, so it's great for people who are a little on the smaller size. I've bought everything from nice dresses to basics here and I find that the quality of clothes here is not bad at all. The accessories section at Monki is worth checking out - they have some really cool jewelry like statement necklaces that go great when paired with solid tops. Their stuff doesn't look cheap either. Last year, they were doing a sale on their tote bags, and I was out shopping with a friend from Singapore and she bought 2 back. They were only around $50 each, if I'm not wrong, the designs were cute and the cloth seemed pretty solid and durable. The changing rooms at Monki are really cool - they're filled with mirrors on each side, so looking straight into any one is nothing short of a real life optical illusion! I do wish Monki would have more sales though - usually, they just have one section of stuff on sale and some accessories too. I've never been to Monki and seen that they're having a huge sale. Hopefully, that will change the next time that I am there!

In a word - Cheap and fun! vintage shops usually cost a fortune, so an affordable one is quite an…read moreasset. Longer version (for the brave) - On my first few days in HK I've decided to explore the area around central and Hong Kong station by foot, while accidentally stumbling upon this place. While looking for it in Yelp I've realized they are quite popular around town, so now I also feel lucky! This place is a store with stacks of clothes, not sure if it's all second hand but it all looks rather vintage-y. The pieces are divided in price ranges and there are some discounts if you buy a few. It's also divided by type- you won't find the racks with mixed clothing, which makes shopping even easier. I got here once and bought a few shirts, got loads of compliments and went back to buy more. The last in the store is very nice and there's so much to chose from I really get lost - so I only went for shirts :) The store is pretty packed and hard to move in... During rush hours there are a few people inside too, a fun time indeed! This is a place I'll definitely go back to during my next visit. So cool!

Thrift shopping isn't quite a thing here in HK, and the closest thing we can get is these vintage…read moreshops. Mee & Gee is one of the few bigger names in the vintage world here in HK. It's funny how it's located right there, and the heart of Central, next to all those overpriced high-end brands. That is some 5,000 words worthy of study of Hong Kong, but I'll save it for later. You can't miss Mee & Gee if you walk through Li Yuen Street West. Minimal design or anything fancy, but you will be greeted by huge amount of clothes. Like tons. Closest to the entrance are the $5 (HKD) clothes. People constantly walking in and out, so squeeze through if you have to. The men's clothing was mostly on the second floor, so I walked up there and took a quick look. To be fair, the design of a lot of clothes there are considered out of fashion. But then, isn't fashion something just being recycled every decade? And at least, the way you carry it is all it matters. Brad Pitt and I could wear the same cloth, but being interpreted and criticized very differently... Clothes are fairly clearly categorized, all in good bargains and good conditions. I'd still recommend you to wash it before you wear it, obviously. Also, I'd pick clothes with a darker tones than a lighter ones, as some of the clothes here tend to have this old, yellowish, wash-out tones. Unless of course, that tone is exactly what you are looking for. I didn't end up buying the cloth I had in mind, mainly because I keep a minimal amount of clothes at home, and I wouldn't buy new ones unless I'm 100% certain. But yeah, at least I know the cheap option is always there.