Fashion - Sassy Hong Kong

Swimsuit & Bikini Shops: Where To Buy Women’s Swimwear In Hong Kong

Team Sassy — Wed, 24 May 2023 22:10:07 +0000

Whether you’re in need of a bikini or a one-piece swimsuit, dresses or cover-ups and more, our favourite swimwear stores, brands and websites stock them all.

Summer is just around the corner and you’re going to be in need of some swimwear — be it for a lazy poolside afternoon, a day trip to the beach, a vacation or staycation, or a junk boat! We use so many names (swimming costumes and bathing suits included) and there are so many cuts and styles out there from bold bikini tops and separate bikini bottoms to classic one-pieces, sports training swimsuits and more. To make things a little simpler, we’ve rounded up the best swimsuit and bikini shops, brands and websites (online and in-person stores) in Hong Kong, for all your swimwear needs!

Where To Buy Swimsuits In Hong Kong

Aerie by American Eagle Outfitters — Wide range of size-inclusive swimsuits in many cuts, styles and colours

Aerie by American Eagle Outfitters’ extensive range of swimsuits and bikinis comes in all shapes, cuts and colours! We love its message (no retouching of images and inclusive sizing!), making it our first stop for swimwear with coverage and support.

Aerie, various locations across Hong Kong, www.ae.com.hk

Agent Provocateur — Luxury designer swimwear and swimsuits

You can count on lingerie specialist Agent Provocateur to take charge and change up the seasonal trends to bring you bold swimwear that’ll turn heads. Think plunging necklines, strappy strings, cut-outs and gold chain details on modern bikinis and one-pieces.

Agent Provocateur, www.agentprovocateur.com

Arena – High-performance sports swimwear

Italian swimsuit brand Arena creates high-performance swimwear for training, racing, kayaking and surfing. Plus, it also has swim equipment such as swim goggles, swim caps, bags, bathrobes and towels.

Arena, various locations across Hong Kong, www.arena.hk

ASOS — Affordable and luxury swimsuits from go-to brands like River Island and New Look, plus-size and petite options and more

With free delivery to Hong Kong on orders over $480 and a huge range of choices, it doesn’t get better than ASOS. We’re talking countless styles, all price points and go-to brands like Bershka, Pull & Bear, River Island, New Look and Topshop — plus new ones to discover.

Sassy Tip: ASOS’ own in-house brands provide mix and match pieces in every colour, print and style imaginable. For bigger cup sizes, take a look at the +DD selections and the ASOS Curve collection.

ASOS, www.asos.com

Black Coral — Hong Kong brand with fashion-forward one-piece swimsuits

Our 2023 Sassy Hong Kong Reader Award Gold Winner for Best Fashion Brand, Hong Kong-based Black Coral brings us fashion-forward one-pieces with flattering silhouettes, cheeky cutouts and reasonable prices (starting at $319 for a full swimsuit).

Black Coral, www.blackcoralxo.com

Bravissimo — Large range of swimsuits, bikinis and swimwear for larger breasts

A favourite for those with larger cup sizes, Bravissimo also stocks swimsuits, bikinis, sports swimming costumes, tankinis and more catering to bigger breasts — promising you the perfect fit and support you need in wired and non-wired options

Bravissimo, www.bravissimo.com

Calzedonia — Extensive range of swimsuits in every style imaginable

City-favourite Italian brand Calzedonia stocks a wide range of high-quality swimsuits in unique prints. Browse everything from briefs, Brazilian cut bottoms, swimming shorts and bikini bottoms to bandeaus, padded balconettes, triangles, push-ups, one-pieces and more.

Calzedonia, various locations across Hong Kong, www.calzedonia.com

COS — Simple cut swimsuits for women in Hong K0ng

If you’re on the hunt for simple, comfortable and flattering swimwear styles, check out COS. We love the selection of colourful bikinis and one-pieces — ideal for jumping off endless junks in summer.

COS, various locations across Hong Kong, www.cosstores.com

Cotton On — Affordable, fun swimsuits in plenty of styles and colours

Another city favourite, Australian brand Cotton On is an expert on swimsuits — with tons of affordable and fun options sold separately, so you can choose what you like and find the right size! Starting as low as $60 for a separate, shop everything from bikinis to flattering one-pieces, full sleeve tops, swimming shorts, cover-ups and more.

Cotton On, various locations across Hong Kong, www.cottonon.com

Eres — Luxury premium swimwear made with high-quality material

Eres’ constantly updated collection of modern swimsuits combines high-quality fabric with flattering cuts and details to create gorgeous new designs. The brand is stocked across town in various luxury boutiques and hotels.

Eres, various locations across Hong Kong, www.eresparis.com

Escapade Sports — Athletic training swimwear for any sports and activity from range of brands

Escapade Sports stocks serious swimwear perfect for any outdoor workout, from watersports to atheltic training! Browse its range of activity-based swimwear and wetsuits from brands like Orca, Blueseventy and Zoggs, plus casual options like Seafolly and Tom & Tedd.

Escapade Sports, various locations across Hong Kong, www.escapade.com.hk

Gourami — Swimwear, beachwear, goggles and more

Gourami has multiple stores across the city, and is sure to have everything you need to get set for the beach — including swimwear, beachwear, goggles and more — all at reasonable prices. We’re fans of its own branded swimwear, which is both stylish and practical.

Gourami, various locations across Hong Kong, www.gourami.co

H&M — Affordable go-to brand with a wide range of bikinis, swimsuits and more

H&M’s bikinis and swimsuits are super affordable, ranging between $40 and $330. The wide and varied collection of swimwear here includes trend-led and flattering one-pieces, long-sleeved swim tops, bikinis, beach dresses, cover-ups and more.

H&M, various locations across Hong Kong, www2.hm.com

J.Crew — Effortlessly cool and casual swimwear, perfect for the pool or beach

J.Crew is cool and casual, stocking a large selection of chic one-piece swimsuits, patterned bikinis, pretty beach dresses, board shorts and more. It’s a go-to brand for effortlessly stylish clothes, having you looking summer-ready in no time.

J.Crew, www.jcrew.com

Read More: The Best Beaches In Hong Kong

MAMÉDIO — Sustainable Brazilian brand with ethically-made luxury swimsuits

MAMÉDIO swimsuits are meticulously made with luxurious, silky-soft fabrics that will flatter your curves and make you look (and feel) as gorgeous as ever. Best of all, it’s made in Brazil following sustainable and ethically responsible manufacturing principles, with free delivery to Hong Kong.

MAMÉDIO, mamedio.com

Marie France Van Damme — Luxury resort-wear brand with designer metallic swimwear

Marrying European cuts with decorative Asian motifs, the luxury resort wear on offer at Marie France Van Damme is fit for beach time at the Riviera. Head here for a wide variety of silk-printed kaftans, tunics and metallic swimwear.

Marie France Van Damme, Shop 3088, Podium Level 3, ifc Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2882 9088, www.mariefrancevandamme.com

Marks & Spencer — British favourite brand with a swimsuit for everyone

British stalwart Marks & Spencer has something for everyone. It’s particularly good for one-piece swimsuits in both classic and bold styles, and offers swimwear with a “Secret Slimming” tummy control innovation conveniently built into many of its designs.

Sassy Tip: Head to a larger M&S store to shop its full swimwear collection in-person

Marks & Spencer, various locations across Hong Kong, www.marksandspencer.com

Melissa Odabash — Luxury swimwear and beachwear brand with timeless swimsuits and bikinis

Specialising in luxury swimwear and beachwear, Melissa Odabash is designed by a fashionable jet-setter. The bikinis and one-pieces here are timeless and made from high-quality fabrics, ensuring that you’ll look stunning on the beach or by the pool wherever you go!

Melissa Odabash, www.odabash.com

Milimilu – Eco-friendly Recycled UV women’s swimsuits

Head to Milimilu for comfortable, eco-friendly UV-protection swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles. Think swim shorts, long sleeve swimsuits, high-waisted swim bottoms and more — in the prettiest earth-toned hues and floral prints.

Milimilu, milimilu.com

Net-A-Porter — Extensive range of swimwear labels and brands

Net-A-Porter needs no introduction as the go-to for all things luxury and designer. Some of the swimwear labels we love to shop here include Eres, Hunza G and Melissa Odabash.

Sassy Tip: In a rush? Opt for Premier Daytime delivery for $150 to receive your order within the next two hours.

Net-A-Porter, www.net-a-porter.com

Read More: Sunglasses We Love

Nordstrom — Plenty of labels and brands stocking swimsuits in classic prints, breezy fabrics and more

Nordstrom’s online site stocks a huge selection of labels such as Onia, Solid & Striped and Tory Burch, as well as more affordable brands such as Topshop, J.Crew and Madewell.

Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com

Ozzie Cozzie — Wide range of Australian and New Zealand brands with beachwear and swimsuits

Stocking Aussie and NZ beachwear, Ozzie Cozzie‘s personal service and wide selection on offer makes this platform a stand-out! Browse brands like Seafolly, Baku, Moontide, Miraclesuits and more.

Ozzie Cozzie, various locations and stockists (scroll to bottom!) across Hong Kong, 2810 1356, www.ozziecozzieco.com

Private Shop — Luxury swimwear brand with stylish and comfortable bikinis and swimsuits

Stylish and comfortable, Private Shop’s luxury range includes various styles of bikini tops (full cup, padded and push-up) and swimsuits (underwired, boat neck, low plunge and control). We recommend visiting one of its stores so that you can take advantage of its expert fitting and styling services.

Private Shop, various locations across Hong Kong, privateshop.com.hk

SANKINI – Online retailer for swimsuits and beach accessories

Online retailer SANKINI offers a wide assortment of modern and fun swimwear and beach accessories — with brightly coloured swimsuits, crochet and metal embellished bikini tops, string bikini bottoms and more.

SANKINI, www.sankini.com

SHEER — Luxury swimwear labels offering designer swimsuits and coverups

SHEER, Hong Kong’s premier lingerie and swimwear store, offers more than 35 designer labels, so all you have to do is take your pick! We love the range of cover-ups on offer — chic enough to wear off the beach.

SHEER, Shop 310, 3/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 9174 6363, sheer.com.hk

Shopbop — Celebrity-approved swimwear labels and brands

From Madewell to Zimmerman, Mara Hoffmann and countless more, US-based online retailer Shopbop is packed to the brim with celebrity-approved swimwear labels for you to choose from. Hey, if it’s good enough for Hollywood…

Shopbop, www.shopbop.com

Speedo – Swimsuits for training, racing, fitness and more

The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo makes swimsuits for all purposes — training, racing, fitness or fun! It carries one-piece swimsuits, long sleeve paddle suits, swim tees and bikini sets in a huge variety of colours.

Speedo, various locations across Hong Kong, speedo.com.hk

TYR Swimwear – Competitive swimwear and triathlon equipment

Another leading brand, TYR Swimwear stocks literally everything from competition-ready swimsuits to goggles, training fins, swimming caps and hand paddles — including technical and training suits, tanks, bikinis, shorts and more.

TYR Swimwear, www.tyr.com

Triangl — It girl swimwear brand with on-trend bikinis

Triangl’s bright neon triangle bikinis were infamous! These days, you’ll still find bold and bright swimwear sets, separates and one-pieces in more on-trend styles and colours.

Triangl, triangl.com

Urban Outfitters — Cool girl swimwear locations stocking various swimsuit brands and styles

For “cool girl” go-to’s, ruched bikini tops, cut-out one-pieces and 80s and Y2K-inspired prints, look to Urban Outfitters! We love its collection of younger exciting brands with swimsuits that are bound to get people talking.

Urban Outfitters, hk.urbanoutfitters.com

Editor’s Note: “Where To Buy Women’s Swimwear In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in May 2023.

The post Swimsuit & Bikini Shops: Where To Buy Women’s Swimwear In Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Designer Bag Brands: 10 Affordable & Underrated Handbags To Know

Ashleigh Butterworth — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:00:23 +0000

Our favourite under-the-radar bag brands for an affordable designer handbag addition to your luxury collection.

These affordable local and international bag brands will give you a truly luxurious-looking and feeling upgrade to your handbag collection, without costing the earth! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by flashy luxury brands and their hefty price tags and purchase a piece that you don’t actually adore. But on the other hand, we’re trying to do our part for the earth and stay away from fast fashion picks that might be budget-friendly but offer no longevity (and pollute the planet!). So what are you to do? We’ve rounded up our favourite affordable independent bag brands that offer up gorgeous well-crafted handbags, purses and more for an investment piece that’s actually worth a (little!) splurge.

Affordable Designer Handbag Brands We Love

BY FAR — Celebrity-favourite designer brand with affordable handbags and shoes in sustainably-sourced Italian materials

We’re starting off strong with celebrity-approved cool-girl brand BY FAR, feeding right into our nostalgia about the late 90s and early 2000s. Despite being carried by the likes of Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, this Australian-designed Bulgaria-made brand is surprisingly accessible — happy to help give us another meaning for arm candy.

How Much: From as low as $2,300.

What To Buy: We can’t stop thinking about the handmade Baby Amber foil-print leather shoulder bag ($3,330), with a distinctive early 2000s shape in holographic glittery purple.

BY FAR, available online at Farfetch, Harvey Nichols, NET-A-PORTER, Shopbop, SSENSE and TheOutnet, www.byfar.com

Cafuné — Timeless, minimalist affordable leather bags sourced straight from Italy

Founded in Hong Kong by lifelong friends Queenie Fan and Day Lau in 2015, Cafuné strives to re-imagine luxury, wanting consumers to make sustainable choices. Each timeless, minimalist handbag is crafted from exceptional quality leather and comes complete with custom-designed hardware accents for added chic.

How Much: From as low as $589 for pouches, airpods cases and clutches, and starting around $1,241 for phone crossbodies and bags.

What To Buy: You can’t go wrong with a timeless classic! The Stance Bag in Black ($5,020) is a bestseller — a mid-size modern satchel inspired by vintage briefcases.

Cafuné, available online on its website (with free shipping to Hong Kong) and at its physical stockists (in Hong Kong, that’s kapok!), www.ca-fune.com

CHARLES & KEITH — Singaporean fashion house with affordable on-trend bags and more

Perhaps not as underrated or unknown as others on this list, Singaporean brand CHARLES & KEITH has quickly become a Hong Kong favourite, with seasonal collections of on-trend and classic handbags, crossbodies, totes, wallets and more — all at unbeatable prices! Don’t miss the wallets and footwear here either.

How Much: From as low as $369.

What To Buy: We’ve got our eyes on the Cockade crossbody bag in soft lilac ($439), a roomy trapeze-shaped handbag with multi-coloured tassle charms and zipper tabs.

CHARLES & KEITH, available online and in-store at its locations across Hong Kong, www.charleskeith.com

Linjer — Sustainable brand offering eco-friendly leather handbags, fine jewellery and more

Jennifer Chong and Roman Khan’s beautifully minimalist brand is a classic fashion girl’s dream. Linjer is named after the Norwegian word for ‘lines’ — with designs that emphasise simplicity. All bags here are made with top-grade sustainable leather and designed with longevity in mind. While you’re on the site, browse its collection of sustainable fine jewellery!

How Much: From as low as $1,750.

What To Buy: One of Linjer’s top-sellers, The Tulip Bag ($3,700) is made with buttery Italian vachetta leather and linen, and can fit everything from a Kindle to your makeup, sunglasses and even a light sweater.

Linjer, available online (with free shipping to Hong Kong for orders above $610), www.linjer.co

Mlouye — Turkish designer brand offering affordable functional luxury bags

Created by industrial designer Meb Rure in 2015 in Istanbul, this Turkish brand was directly inspired by the artists and architects of the Bauhaus movement. Both practical and exquisite, Mlouye’s bags feature unexpected shapes that resemble sculptural landmarks — offering a luxury feel at a far more affordable price.

How Much: From as low as $2,590.

What To Buy: It’s genuinely hard to pick, but we love the gorgeous Wave bag in Milky ($3,307) — a chocolate and tea-coloured saddle-shaped shoulder bag, crafted from Italian cow leather.

Mlouye, available online (with free express shipping to Hong Kong), www.mlouye.com

Rejina Pyo — Korean designer with affordable fashion-week-approved bags

An award-winning Korean designer based in London, Rejina Pyo’s bags are fashion week-approved and surprisingly affordable! You’ll find a small collection of sling bags, crossbodies, totes, and other handbags in fun shapes and textures — like a massive woolly green piece, a “banana” bag, organic cotton knotted phone-sized slings and more.

How Much: From as low as $788

What To Buy: The Chain Mini Bag in Suede Black ($2,695), finished with a sculptured chain handle.

Rejina Pyo, available online at its website (with free express shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $4,877), in-store at its stockists across Hong Kong, and at Farfetch and TheOutnet, rejinapyo.com

Read More: Where To Buy Lingerie In Hong Kong

SENREVE — Leather and vegan handbags designed in NYC and made in Italy from Tuscany-imported materials

Founded in 2016 by powerhouses Coral Chung and Wendy Wen, SENREVE is all about a professional luxurious bag that adjusts to and work within your busy modern lifestyle. You’ll find a range of traditional leathers imported from Tuscany here and the brand’s also branched out into gorgeous sustainable vegan leathers (that’s right, more than one!).

How Much: From as low as $2,360

What To Buy: It really does depend on your leather and shape preference but we’re curious about the easy-to-customise Vegan Terra collection (starting from $4,195), crafted from plant-based proteins and 100% traceable.

SENREVE, available online (with free shipping to Hong Kong), www.senreve.com

STAUD — Vintage-inspired affordable bags in beaded and fun shape variations

Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto co-founded this LA-based company on the basis that fashion shouldn’t just empower women — it should be widely accessible too. When it comes to handbags, STAUD has it down to a science, with cool designs, fun prints and dreamy colours. The collection draws inspiration from vintage clothing and downtown street art, with pieces that walk the line between high-end and homegrown.

How Much: From as low as $745.

What To Buy: We can’t get enough of the beaded Tommy Bag (starting from $1,963), in so many bright colour and print variations.

STAUD, available online at its website, NET-A-PORTER and SSENSE, staud.clothing

Strathberry — Designer brand with affordable ultra-luxe classic bags

Looking for a handbag fit for a princess? Strathberry became the talk of the town when Meghan Markle accessorised her outfit with one of its iconic totes. Founded by Guy and Leeanne Hundleby in 2013, this Scottish bag brand is best known for its classic shapes and luxe aesthetic, along with that signature bar closure.

How Much: From as low as $1,630

What To Buy: The Strathberry Tote (starting from $4,000) — a classic bag with two interior pockets, available in nano, midi and classic sizing in a range of gorgeous soft pastels and jewel shades.

Strathberry, available online at its website (with free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $1,700) and Lane Crawford, hk.strathberry.com

WEAT — Homegrown brand offering affordable bags in trendy shapes and colours

Founded by That Girl Nina Sieber, We Eat Avocado Toast — or WEAT — is a cool girl-approved handbag line. Even its name is punchy! A homegrown brand, you’ll find feminine, functional and fashion-forward bags here in eye-catching shapes and designs and bright (even colour-changing) materials and shades.

How Much: From as low as $750

What To Buy: Any Toast Bag (starting from $1,080), the brand’s signature and best-loved style — with an eye-catching triangle carabiner that enables you to wear it as a practical crossbody, a statement clutch and more.

WEAT, available online (with free shipping to Hong Kong), us.weat-studio.com

Editor’s Note: All listed prices were correct at the time of publication. “Under-The-Radar Handbag Brands” was originally written by Ashleigh Butterworth and was most recently updated in April 2023 by Sakina Abidi.

The post Designer Bag Brands: 10 Affordable & Underrated Handbags To Know appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

15 Local Sustainable Fashion Brands We Love

Team Sassy — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:00:04 +0000

Support these local sustainable fashion brands in Hong Kong for eco-conscious and responsible buys.

Why do local sustainable fashion brands matter? Well, Hong Kong generates an average of 392 tonnes of textile waste per day into landfills, resulting in a rise of 32.4 percent over the past ten years. It’s clear that the fast-fashion crisis is still alive and kicking. So, what can we do about it?

While shopping and sustainability can seem slightly counterintuitive (we’d still recommend buying secondhand and vintage where possible!), you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s possible to build yourself a new wardrobe and still be environmentally conscious. Many local sustainable fashion brands in Hong Kong are working to bridge that disconnect, be it through their commitment to using deadstock fabrics (leftover and unwanted materials that would otherwise go to waste) or the adoption of a slow production model that elongates the durability of the fabric. Ahead, we’re spotlighting some of our favourites…

Sassy Tip: To further minimise textile waste, focus on your needs and wants. We only use about 20 percent of the clothes in our closet (that’s less than a quarter!). And when discarding old clothes, donate instead of simply throwing them away.

Local Sustainable Fashion Brands In Hong Kong

Zanteia – A one-stop shop for the fashion-forward and eco-conscious

Voted the Best Brand Making Sustainability Waves in the 2023 Sassy Reader Awards, Zanteia is a fantastic online platform that brings together fashion-forward brands that are committed to sustainable and ethical practices. Find fabulous new pieces to add to your closet from brands you can feel good wearing, including international labels and homegrown favourites like KRSV, Tove & Libra and Love From Blue. What’s more, the site provides information on where the items it stocks are made, how they’re made and what they’re made of for those on a mission to shop more consciously.

Zanteia, 5993 9136, Instagram: @zanteia_official, www.zanteia.com

Tove & Libra – Minimalist clothing made with upcycled deadstock fabrics

Effortless daily chic is yours for the taking, thanks to Tove & Libra. Inspired by the minimalist Scandi aesthetic, the brand brings together style and sustainability for clothing that is better for your closet and the planet. Cue a commitment to upcycling deadstock fabrics, as well as the introduction of carbon offsetting for all online orders. Style-wise, we love how versatile everything is, with many pieces having been designed for multi-way dressing.

Tove & Libra, various locations across Hong Kong, 9662 9923, www.toveandlibra.com

Róu So – Inclusive and sustainable Hong Kong fashion brand

Effortless everyday fashion abounds at Róu So — a contemporary womenswear brand best known for its classic, sustainable chic style. The team here take a view towards mindful production, using only natural, recycled or plant-based fabrics which have been salvaged from over-produced inventory and trim waste from vendors, manufacturers and fabric mills. The best part? Róu So makes a point of celebrating women of all shapes, sizes and ethnicity for a clothing collection that truly suits us all.

Róu So, rousoshop.com

Good Days – High-performance activewear made with recycled polyester and nylon

This local brand is making waves by transforming plastic bottles into chic, high-performance activewear. Think versatile and modern leggings, sports bras, crop tops and more, all consciously created using recycled polyester and nylon. By doing so, Good Days hopes to contribute to a circular economy, diverting plastic waste away from oceans and landfills, and repurposing it into activewear you’ll use for years to come.

Good Days, gooddaysactivewear.com

EARTH.er – Accessories made with natural, renewable materials

This sustainable fashion brand was founded in 2012 in Hong Kong’s very own Tai O fishing village. Founder and designer, Benny Yuen, creates designs that are inspired by the outdoors using traditional Southeast Asian craft techniques and materials that are eco-friendly. The company merges sustainable production processes with all-natural, renewable materials. Think hemp backpacks and a line of ‘Down to EARTH.er’ shoes, made by upcycling rubber tires.

EARTH.er, G/F, 83 Kat Hing Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong, www.earthertaio.com

SAU LEE – Local dress brand that uses eco-friendly materials

Sustainable fashion gets fancy with Insta-famous local dress brand SAU LEE. Head here for stunning occasion and day dresses, designed with a unique East meets West aesthetic in mind. In terms of sustainability, the brand is dedicated to using fabrics comprised of natural raw materials, biodegradable Rayon and Viscose, and overstock base fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfills. Plus, it operates a lean production practice in an effort to minimise waste.

SAU LEE, Shop H314, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.sau-lee.com

Love From Blue – Small production statement knitwear

It’s all about statement knitwear at local label Love From Blue — and its commitment to sustainable production is the cherry on top! Crafted with purpose, care and consciousness, the designs here take inspiration from Hong Kong’s urban landscapes, incorporating cosy textures and rich hues for a selection of jumpers and sweater vests you’ll love for years to come. Each piece is made using deadstock cashmere and wool yarns, and is available in small production runs.

Love From Blue, lovefromblue.com

PYE – Eco-consciuos seed-to-shirt brand

Helmed by Dee Poon (the daughter of Harvey Nichols owner Dickson Poon and Esquel Group chairman Marjorie Yang), dress shirt specialist PYE brings us timeless formal attire with a sustainable seed-to-shirt philosophy at its core. Over the last decade, PYE has proudly reduced its water and energy consumption by 57% and 43% respectively.

PYE (Admiralty), Shop 111, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2152 9288

PYE (Central), Shops 19 & 22, Central Building, Central, Hong Kong, 2152 9168, pyeshirts.com

Flow With Me – Athleisure clothing fashioned from recycled fabrics

With its motto of inspiring Hongkongers to be happier and healthier through fitness, there’s a lot to love about local activewear brand Flow With Me. And sustainability is the cherry on top. To be featured on the site, brands must have a focus on eco-friendly practices, be that through the careful use of resources or ethical production. Head here for a curated selection of athleisure clothing and accessories fashioned from recycled fabrics.

Flow With Me, www.flowwithmehk.com

The R Collective – Circular fashion brand that reduces textile waste

Sister charity of Redress (25 percent of proceeds go towards the brand), The R Collective aims to reduce textile disposals by rescuing, reusing and recycling fashion waste. This circular fashion brand upcycles deadstock fabric from luxury fashion companies and gives them a new life with versatile dresses, jackets, pants and bags. What’s more, fabrics unsuitable for reuse find a second life through the team’s fibre recovery system where they get shredded to fibres to create a new piece.

The R Collective, thercollective.com

Lane Eight – Unisex trainers made with recycled plastic

Lane Eight is hard to miss, with its bright coral walls and shoes of the prettiest colours! It specialises in workout shoes that fit comfortably, look stylish and do good for the planet. The unisex trainers are made of lightweight vegan microfiber and recycled plastic yarn (that’s about 11 single-use plastic water bottles), and the midsole is made of harvested algae blooms — how cool is that? Plus, the shoes come packaged in boxes made of recycled material and water-soluble mailer bags.

Lane Eight (Wan Chai), LG/F, 14 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Lane Eight (Sha Tin), Shop 537, Level 5, New Town Plaza Phase 1, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2811 2068, laneeight.hk

Read More: The Best Shoe Shops In Hong Kong

Paper Shades – Eco-friendly sunglasses made from recycled paper

Founded by brother and sister duo, Madi and James Chu, this sustainable fashion brand brings us eco-friendly, customisable sunglasses made from recycled paper. Built to be functional and durable, with personalisation that makes it perfect for everything from Clockenflap to corporate giveaways, these durable shades leave a minimal amount of carbon footprint whilst still providing UV400 protection.

Paper Shades, www.papershades.net

MiliMilu – Eco-friendly, durable and effortlessly stylish clothing brand

Meaning “LoveLove” in Latvian (to show its appreciation to Mother Nature), MiliMilu makes various sustainable fashion brands from around the world accessible to Hong Kong shoppers. From light and flowy dresses and floral swimwear for the beach to more put-together and sophisticated looks, we love how effortlessly stylish the pieces are whilst remaining eco-friendly and durable.

MiliMilu, milimilu.com

Skin of Nature – Nature-loving active-lifestyle brand

Active-lifestyle brand Skin of Nature brings dynamic, durable and sustainable apparel to the forefront in Hong Kong. Founder Elena Beraldo specialised in sustainable fashion before moving to Hong Kong, looking at the reality behind the apparel industry, but also the positive direction it was beginning to take. You’ll see her love for nature reflected in the ethos of the company, as well as the colours and patterns of the pieces in each collection.

Skin of Nature, skinofnature.co

The Hula – Local consignment store for womenswear

HULA founder Sarah Fung, who previously worked at Lane Crawford, has curated a selection of pre-loved designer accessories and clothing (many of which haven’t even been worn!). It’s a platform to buy and re-sell amazing luxury items with the aim to reduce fashion waste and share a sense of timeless style rather than following trends.

Editor’s Note: The Hula’s Central store is temporarily closed.

The Hula, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2544 1511, www.instagram.com/joinhula

Editor’s Note: “Local Sustainable Fashion Brands” was most recently updated by Nicole Moraleda in April 2023. With thanks to Tania Shroff and Fashila Kanakka for their contribution.

The post 15 Local Sustainable Fashion Brands We Love appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Shop Taobao In English: Your Step-By-Step Guide

Sakina Abidi — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 22:00:01 +0000

Looking to shop Taobao in English, in Hong Kong? With so much available, the site can be a bit of a maze, so we’ve put together a handy guide to help you shop stress-free.

Taobao is a paradise for savvy shoppers: full of amazing deals and reputable sellers. The online shopping platform is a treasure trove, stocking absolutely everything you could ever be looking for. For those of us who can’t read simplified Chinese, and are bound to be intimidated by the sheer volume of things available to purchase (we’re talking homeware, wall art, jewellery, clothing accessories and so much more) — here’s how to shop Taobao in English (made even simpler when you use Baopals!), with our step-by-step guide. We’re still keeping in mind the costs of fast fashion and textile waste, so shop with intention!

Jump To:
Getting Started On Taobao
Shopping Taobao: Step By Step
Checking On Your Taobao Order
Shop Taobao In English On Baopals

Getting Started On Taobao

Before you start, you’ll want to use a web translator. We recommend going with Google Chrome as your browser and making use of its built-in translator. You can also use the built-in translator in Safari.

You’ll see an icon in your toolbar that allows you to translate the whole webpage from Chinese Simplified into English. Note: Taobao’s site and app may appear in traditional Chinese in Hong Kong but its sellers and shops use simplified Chinese.

Can’t see it? Make sure it’s on by going to your Settings, hitting Languages and checking if you’ve allowed Google Chrome to “Use Google Translate”.

Sassy Tip: Still too complicated? Try Baopals, an online shopping bridge to Taobao that translates the entire platform into English! Click here to learn more.

To start, go to world.taobao.com — the worldwide version of Taobao. You might be redirected automatically to the Hong Kong version of the site. If not, you can always click the dropdown menu and choose Hong Kong.

As you can tell, the search bar is right at the top with an orange translated “search” button (hidden in this screenshot!). On the left are your categories, translated here as “classification”.

Registering

The first thing to do now is to create an account, which is free and incredibly easy as you can register in English. Click on “Register” (免費注冊 or 免費註冊), translated for us as “free registration”, on the left of the menu bar at the top, then follow on-screen instructions to create your Taobao account. We chose the English button on the top right!

1. Type in your Hong Kong mobile number, with no spaces.
2. Hit “get verification code”.
3. Enter the verification code you get as a text message. You’re in!

You might want to stop here and enter more details into your account information — like your preferred delivery address — before you shop.

Shopping Taobao: Step By Step

You could easily spend an entire day clicking through Taobao. To begin your foray into this whole new world, start by typing what you want to look for in the search bar. Typing in English keywords will give you a decent number of results, but it’s best to search in Chinese — Google Translate will be your best friend!

Jump To:
Step 1: Searching And Browsing
Step 2: Choosing Your Item
Step 3: Product Information, Reviews And Ratings
Step 4: Buying Your Item
Step 5: Placing Your Order
Step 6: Filling In Delivery Details
Step 7: Confirmation

Sassy Tip: Finding it near-impossible to browse Taobao directly? Shop the entire site — including Taobao, Tmall and JD Jingdong — in English when you use Baopals, a bridge between you and the sellers and products, with information (and translations!) always updated in real-time!

Step 1: Searching And Browsing On Taobao

Begin by typing in the item you want to buy in the search bar, preferably in Chinese. You will be presented with a range of filters including brand, material, style and more. Choose a few and then sort them by using the sorting tools:

Comprehensive sorting: Sorts search results according to an average of the following parameters.
Sales volume: Sorts search results according to the number of sales.
Reputation: Sorts search results according to the reputation of sellers from customer reviews and ratings.
Price: Sorts search results according to price, from high to low or from low to high.
Price range: Type in your ideal price range (in RMB, as shown by the￥) for the item you are searching for.

You can also tick off additional filters like “free shipping” or “secondhand”.

Type in multiple keywords in the search bar to narrow down your results instead of using the filters as sellers usually include keywords in product names. For example, instead of “skirt” (短裙), try typing in “high-waisted denim skirt” (高腰牛仔短裙).

Here are a few quick links to our favourite categories:

Womenswear
Women’s Shoes
Cosmetics
Homeware
Furniture
Summer Essentials
Sports Gear
Cameras

You can also visit this website for a more comprehensive list of Taobao shopping categories.

To find better quality products (mainly clothing), type in “外貿” (which means products to be exported) at the end of your search.
To find more recently released products, type in the current year e.g. “女装外貿 2022” (womenswear for export 2022) for new womenswear of export quality.
Stay away from products that are too cheap. They’re usually of very inferior quality and will be a waste of your money, whilst defeating the purpose of trying to shop sustainably.
Taobao clothing sizes are usually smaller than normal sizes. Buy a size or two bigger than your normal size to play it safe.

Step 2: Choosing Your Item On Taobao

A great way to determine if an item is of good quality is to see the number of recent transactions, which are shown by the grey numbers next to the prices. The name of the store/seller is shown after the three orange stripes in grey. An icon to take note of is the small red square on the very bottom of the item, which indicates that the item is from a Tmall store. The small white words highlighted in orange mean “free shipping” but this is usually only applicable to delivery within China.

We picked the fourth crystal lamp shown, which was recently purchased by over 5,000 people, is a Tmall item, and is from a store in Guangdong.

Items which don’t have this little red square are from Taobao sellers. If you’re confused, here’s the difference between Taobao and Tmall:

Taobao: Taobao is a C2C (consumer-to-consumer) online store and acts as a platform for individuals to sell goods to consumers. Anyone can set up an online store on Taobao as long as they meet certain requirements.
Tmall: Tmall is like Amazon. It runs on a B2C (business-to-consumer) model, which means that the seller has to be either a registered brand, an official manufacturer, or an organization selling their goods to customers. If you’re worried about counterfeits or low-quality goods like tube dresses that are more akin to onesies, Tmall is your safe bet as Taobao requires all Tmall sellers to prove that they are a legitimate company/store/manufacturer. There are also certificates of quality and compliance on each seller’s page.

Step 3: Product Information, Reviews And Ratings

The first thing we usually do is check out the product information and the reviews. Scroll down to see more information and photos from the seller, then click on the second tab, which translated as “evaluation” for us, to read reviews. Click on “Pictures” to see reviews with photos of the item to get an idea of what it actually looks like.

The box on the top will display a rating that tells you how close the product is to the seller’s description. Next to the number are boxed words with numbers in brackets — these refer to the most frequent reviews of the product.

For instance, 22 buyers said that the product was “very useful”, and 18 buyers said that it “charges quickly”. These give a good indication of the overall quality of the product as they naturally help filter out inconsistent reviews.

Sassy Tip: “The baby” is a direct translation of the phrase [這個寶貝], which is a phrase used by buyers that means “this product”.

Each Tmall and Taobao seller is given ratings by their past customers, and both are given rankings out of five for:

Description: How closely the actual item resembles the product description.
Service: The quality of customer service provided by the seller.
Delivery: The speed and efficiency of delivery.

A rating of 4.8 or higher is considered a good rating.

Sassy Tip: You can click on the name of the Taobao seller — the bolded black words above the special ratings — to go into their shop and see other items available for purchase.

Step 4: Buying Your Item On Taobao

To buy your item, choose the one you want amongst the photos — we chose the second version which is multicoloured — then decide on the quantity. If you want to continue shopping, click “add to shopping cart” or choose “buy now” if you’d like to go straight to checkout.

Step 5: Placing Your Order

To checkout, select the item you want to buy now by ticking the box on the left of the item, then select “checkout”.

Step 6: Filling In Delivery Details

Unfortunately, this is usually a pop-up and may not be translated automatically but our translations are here to help! There is no zip code for Hong Kong, so simply fill in six zeros.

Your shipping options are usually Direct Shipping and Consolidated Shipping (aka Taobao Cargo). Direct Shipping can be expensive (usually more than what the website shows) and rarely worth the price, so we’d suggest you pick Consolidated Shipping, which is cheaper and works like this:

All your item(s) will be sent to the same warehouse, even if they’re from different sellers. When all the items you’ve bought have arrived at the warehouse, you can deliver them to your own home or office all in one go, which is when you will be asked to make the second payment.

Here are some of our favourite warehouses:

Giants HK, www.giantsco.com
Point2point, www.point2point.hk
HK Refill, www.hkrefill.com

You’ll write the warehouse’s address into the “Address” [详细地址] section!

Sassy Tip: Many couriers charge an extra $20-$30 for delivery to Hong Kong residential addresses (which is not included in the prices shown on the website), so deliver to your office or choose self-pickup at Hong Kong post offices, 7-11s or collection points to save that extra bit of cash.

After confirming your order, you will be prompted to select your payment method.

Step 7: Confirmation

After you’ve made your payment, you will get a confirmation that your purchase is successful.

Sassy Tip: It’s easy to add to cart on Taobao — but shipping to Hong Kong is a whole different story! Baopals brings your parcel directly to your door, with minimal international fees. Click here to learn more.

Checking On Your Taobao Order

Unfortunately, you won’t be receiving any emails or text messages that your item has reached the warehouse so you’ll have to either check back in 1 to 3 days. You can also download the “Taobao Global App” in the App Store or Google Play, which can send you notifications. To check whether your item has reached the warehouse, head to “My Account” [我的淘寶], then click on “Purchased Items” [已买到的宝贝]

Taobao Refunds

We certainly hope this isn’t necessary because it can be a little of a chore but in case you really aren’t satisfied with your item, you can request a refund from the seller within 25 days. However, we strongly advise against this as it can get messy to return items from Hong Kong — so make sure you are purchasing a product you want to keep! Check out this guide for more details.

Now head to Taobao and start shopping!

Shop Taobao In English On Baopals

Online shopping platform Baopals bridges the gap between Chinese-speaking sellers on Taobao, Tmall and JD (Jingdong) and English-speaking shoppers. It was started by three Shanghai-based expatriate friends who wanted a more convenient way to shop online in the Mainland.

So for those of us who struggle to read and understand Chinese, you can now shop China’s largest marketplaces directly in English, with access to over a billion products as well as information that is updated and translated from Chinese to English in real-time.

Plus, a dedicated bilingual team is available to communicate directly with sellers and logistics teams to handle specific inquiries or any issues. A language barrier is no longer an obstacle to getting those ceramic bowls you’ve been eyeing — it’s never been so easy to browse and shop on Taobao.

Editor’s Note: “Your Step-by-Step Guide to Shopping on Taobao” was most recently updated in March 2023 by Sakina Abidi. With thanks to Rachel Au for her contribution.

The post Shop Taobao In English: Your Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Party Dresses In Hong Kong: Evening Dresses, Cocktail Attire, Formal Gowns & More

Team Sassy — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 22:00:28 +0000

From glamorous party dresses to cocktail attire, fancy black tie gowns and modern qipaos, here’s where to shop for your best evening dress in Hong Kong.

We’ll take any excuse we can get to grab a party dress — getting ready for a special occasion can be a lot of fun, especially when it comes to the all-important outfit. But to make sure it’s no extra stress, we’ve rounded up the best online sites and physical stores in the city to shop for evening dresses! Whether you’re looking for a wedding guest outfit, a cocktail dress, a black tie gown or formal attire, here’s where to buy the evening dress of your dreams in Hong Kong.

Style Carousel — Eco-friendly online destination with premium fashion pieces and sustainable brands to borrow and buy

Style Carousel is the ideal online destination for environmentally-friendly fashion — offering you access to luxury style for any and every occasion, expert stylists at your fingertips, door-to-door collection and deliveries and excellent customer service. Discover top designers, rent entire looks from emerging and iconic brands and buy your favourite piece to keep. It’s better for you and the planet! Head to the online shop now to browse and book your next sustainable look.

Use code SASSY to get your first month of a StylePass membership for free.

Style Carousel, 9658 8030, Facebook: Style Carousel, Instagram: @stylecarousel, stylecarousel.com

Qipology — Custom-made and ready-to-wear modern qipaos that celebrate Chinese culture without sacrificing style

Looking for a cultural heritage dress with a modern edge? Qipology makes use of the same exquisite craftsmanship required when making a traditional qipao (or cheongsam) to create beautiful contemporary eveningwear. Perfect for all occasions, from themed parties to weddings, each piece can be custom-made to ensure you find a unique piece that suits you and your style — so you can truly look and feel one-of-a-kind! It’s current and wearable yet timeless, celebrating Chinese culture without sacrificing style.

Qipology, 6061 4074, Facebook: Qipology, Instagram: @qipology, www.qipology.com

Read More: Top Hong Kong Tailor Shops For Bespoke Suits, Custom Clothing, Alterations & More

Aleshia — Lace and cocktail dresses plus work, casual and floral pieces

Chic lace pieces, plenty of bright florals and classic black dresses abound at this Hong Kong-based brand. And you don’t need to break the bank. You can shop online, or head to one of its three stores for a private fitting (don’t forget to make an appointment first).

Aleshia, various locations across Hong Kong, www.myaleshia.com

Black Coral — Silk slip dresses, party dresses, maxi knits, sundresses

A 2023 Sassy Hong Kong Reader Award Winner, it’s safe to say boutique store Black Coral is a firm favourite. From elegant silk slips to glitzy sequin looks and flowy evening dresses, this is perfect for romantic anniversary dinners, festive parties with friends and beyond. Plus, the local brand offers free shipping across Hong Kong.

Black Coral, www.blackcoralxo.com

Emma Wallace — Bold, statement-making evening dresses

British-born, Hong Kong-based designer Emma Wallace creates elegant evening wear, with bolder, contemporary designs, which have been worn by the likes of supermodels, to simple classic pieces like a little black dress.

Emma Wallace, Shop A, G/F, 2 Po Hing Fong Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2336 6798, www.emma-wallace.com

HULA — Secondhand designer dresses in new or hardly-worn condition

We’re big fans of online consignment store HULA, which stocks a coveted collection of pre-owned designer-label products in mostly new or hardly-worn conditions. Boasts the crème-de-la-crème of luxury brands, including Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more, it all costs up to 95 percent less than original retail price.

HULA, thehula.com

Love, Bonito — Affordable Singaporean brand with thoughtfully-designed evening dresses

Whether you have a wedding, formal work function or family gathering to attend, Love, Bonito is sure to have the stylishly-appropriate dress for you. The Singaporean brand’s ethos is all about well-made and well-fitted clothes that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Affordable and accessible, it’s a staple in our wardrobes for a reason!

Love, Bonito (Queen’s Road Central), Shop D, G/F, Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Love, Bonito (Langham Place ), Shop 03 & 05, Level 5, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.lovebonito.com/hk

Mariée Bridal Couture — Couture-worthy evening dresses

Attending a glamorous soiree or a lavish wedding? Mariée Bridal Couture has a host of stunning evening dresses, handpicked by the team from a range of international labels. Even better, the bridal store’s Oscar-worthy dresses are available to rent! Get in touch to book an appointment.

Mariée Bridal Couture, 9/F, Galuxe Building, 8 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3488 0978, www.mariee.com.hk

Reformation — Sustainable and carbon-neutral occasion dresses

Reformation offers gorgeous evening dresses that are sustainable with carbon-neutral shipping options! We can’t get enough of the sweet flirty floral and knit minis and midis, but our hearts belong to the long silk and linen gowns, including wedding guest (and even brial!) attire.

Reformation, www.thereformation.com

Self-Portrait — London-based contemporary luxury brand

If you’ve lusted after Self-Portrait’s stunning evening dresses from afar, you’re in luck — the London-based brand opened its first flagship boutique in Hong Kong just last year. Found in ifc, head here for show-stopping pieces with intricate details and feminine silhouettes.

Self-Portrait, Shop 1053B, Podium Level, ifc, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.self-portrait-studio.com

Shanghai Tang — Hong Kong fashion house with culture-inspired evening wear and bespoke options

Chinese aesthetics and craftsmanship updated for the 21st century! Shanghai Tang reimagines traditional garments with vibrant prints and unique fabrics. We love the classic ready-t0-wear cheongsam dresses here but nothing beats getting a fully-customised dress at the Imperial Tailoring Atelier, designed specifically to suit your style and personality.

Shanghai Tang, various locations across Hong Kong, www.shanghaitang.com

Soie — Affordable local brand carrying silk clothing and classic evening slip dresses

Support smaller local designers! Designed in Hong Kong and handmade in Vietnam, silk clothing line Soie’s collection is sultry, sleek, and ultra-flattering. We love the classic slip dresses in particular, which can be styled up with heels for a party, or dressed down with layers and sneakers for a casual brunch.

Soie, www.soiehk.com

SAU LEE — Luxury local brand offering modern evening dresses with a Chinese twist

A real East-meets-West brand, Hong Kong label SAU LEE is all about fusing modern contemporary styling with Chinese details and fabrics, with beautiful, sophisticated pieces designed to be worn season after season. Ruffled tulle minidresses, modern cheongsams, satin gowns, slinky sequin numbers and more.

SAU LEE, www.sau-lee.com

Vestiaire Collective — Online pre-owned luxurious evening dresses

Online pre-owned clothing retailer Vestiaire Collective boasts an extensive, yet curated, collection of luxurious pre-loved designer dresses. Everything here has been authenticated by Vestiaire’s expert team, so you know each purchase is 100 percent genuine and worth the investment. Shop special occasion evening dresses from Zara mini-dresses to Christian Dior silk gowns.

Vestiaire Collective, www.vestiairecollective.com

Lane Crawford — Luxury department store with a wide range of designer evening dresses

A one-stop-shop for special occasion evening dresses, Lane Crawford probably has the most expansive designer collections in Hong Kong. This is where to head and splurge for your ultimate best party dress — you’ll be spoilt for choice! We also love the Lane Crawford Outlet in Horizon Plaza for more affordable, still top-quality finds.

Lane Crawford, various locations across Hong Kong, www.lanecrawford.com

Zalora — Online platform with wide range of party and evening dresses

You’ll find almost every style of dress under the sun at Zalora, making it a top choice for any Hong Konger. With easy shipping to the city and an array of brands to pick from, you’ll be sorted in no time. Remember, if it’s not quite your style, you can easily return or exchange it at your local 7/11!

Zalora, www.zalora.com.hk

Other Brands Stocking Party Dresses Worth Checking Out: Affordable Hits

ASOS
Thousands of dresses in every formal style you can think of, from evening and black-tie attire to floor-length gowns, spring midis, cocktails dresses and so much more. Plus, all the shoes, accessories and jewellery to complete your look.
www.asos.com
H&M
Always on-trend and won’t break the bank. Worth going to a physical store to see dresses in person.
Various locations across Hong Kong, www2.hm.com
Mango
Fashion-forward pieces that look far more expensive than their price tag.
Shop LB07, Lower Basement, iSQUARE, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, shop.mango.com/hk
ZARA
Affordable on-trend and classic pieces, including dresses for all occasions like evening parties and formal graduations.
Various locations across Hong Kong, www.zara.com/hk

Other Brands Stocking Evening Dresses Worth Checking Out: Splurge-Worthy Gems

NET-A-PORTER
The ultimate luxury fashion online destination — brands on offer at NET-A-PORTER run at a slightly higher price point but the quality is guaranteed. Keep an eye out for their seasonal sales to bag some incredible bargains. The customer service is also unparalleled, offering next-day delivery for just $50 and free returns and exchanges!
www.net-a-porter.com
Reiss
From sexy body-con numbers to floaty floral midi dresses, Reiss offers an array of beautiful party dresses for every occasion. Best of all, these versatile pieces can be worn time and again.
www.reiss.com/hk
Revolve
It’s difficult not to find something you love on Revolve. The easy-to-use site is a breeze to navigate. Plus, there’s free shipping for orders over $100 USD.
www.revolve.com
Selfridges
Selfridges offers all the best retailers — womenswear, menswear, home and more — under one roof!
www.selfridges.com
Shopbop
With a wealth of brands to choose from, have a look at The Dress Shop section to discover handpicked looks from the styling team.
www.shopbop.com

Editor’s Note: “Where To Buy Evening Dresses In Hong Kong” was originally published by Lydia Rose and most recently updated in March 2023 by Team Sassy. With thanks to Nina Brooklyn Brown and Ashleigh Butterworth for their contributions.

The post Party Dresses In Hong Kong: Evening Dresses, Cocktail Attire, Formal Gowns & More appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

5 Essential Pieces To Start Your Spring Capsule Wardrobe

Amanda Leigh Wong — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 22:00:27 +0000

Build your ultimate capsule wardrobe for spring and summer, starting with these five essential pieces…

It’s been said that most of us wear only 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. With such limited space to work with in Hong Kong, curating a capsule wardrobe can be a huge game changer. Keeping a limited amount of items in your closet can save you a ton of space, money and time! Follow these tips to build the ultimate capsule wardrobe for spring and summer, starting with five essential pieces that belong in any functional closet.

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe And Why Do I Need One?

Ever find yourself staring into your over-stuffed closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear”? This is is a clear sign that your wardrobe is not serving you in the way that it should. You’ll find that curating a smaller collection of clothes will actually streamline the process of deciding what to wear.

Remember, having less items doesn’t mean you have less options. The idea of the capsule wardrobe is that you stock it with versatile pieces that can be used together in various combinations, ultimately giving you more to work with. This allows you to not only use your space more effectively, but also your time and money. What’s not to love about that?

Tips On How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe

It’s important to note that everyone’s capsule wardrobe will differ according to their body shape, lifestyle, personal style and the seasonal climate of where they live.

Start by reviewing what currently lives in your wardrobe and note the items that you pull out to wear most frequently. At the same time, put aside the pieces that you don’t tend to reach for as much. By simply assessing which items you like and dislike – and more importantly questioning why – you gain a better understanding of what might be missing in your closet and give you a clearer direction of what your ideal wardrobe needs to be.

Hold on to the items that are of high quality (these will give your wardrobe greater longevity) and that speak to your style and lifestyle. Comfortability is just as important. Selecting pieces based on this criteria should help you build a collection of clothes that you love. The key is to care for these items so that you can continue to enjoy wearing them over and over again.

Ahead, I’ll be sharing five essential items that are worth investing in for a smart casual capsule wardrobe that will work for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in Hong Kong…

Capsule Wardrobe Piece 1 – A Basic T-Shirt

The power of a simple T-shirt – especially one that fits you just right – is not to be underestimated. Throw it on with your favourite pair of jeans and heels for that effortless “model-off-duty” look, or use it to dress down a work pant for casual Friday. A plain white option will give you a fresh feel, but a fun, graphic tee can add a lot of personality to your outfit.

Capsule Wardrobe Piece 2 – Sleeveless Top Or Silk Camisole

A sleeveless blouse or silk camisole is a great tool to have in your arsenal to dress up some simple bottoms like jeans or a skirt. Because of the thin fabric, they make great layering pieces, but also look fab on their own (and will keep you nice and cool in the hotter months). Keep a black or brightly coloured camisole in your closet to have as an alternative to your white tee.

Capsule Wardrobe Piece 3 – Tailored Shorts Or Skirt

You’d be surprised how great a pair of well-fitted shorts or skirt can transform an outfit. On those hot humid days we Hongkongers are all too familiar with, this essential item will keep you feeling cool (in both senses of the word).

Capsule Wardrobe Piece 4 – Casual Button-Up Shirt

I’m talking an oversized linen shirt, not one of those stiff button ups you’d wear to a work interview. These can be used as a stylish alternative to a lightweight jacket and can give you a little coverage from the sun. Combine this with a camisole and tailored short for a casual yet put-together look. These can also be a great stand-in for a swimsuit cover-up and can be tucked into any waistband for a more polished look.

Capsule Wardrobe Piece 5 – Jeans Or A Smart Casual Pant

If you’re not into wearing a lightweight jean in the spring, then a pair of breezy palazzo pants or a cropped culotte is a perfect, trendy alternative. This pant shouldn’t be something you’d strictly wear to a corporate office, but a more casual and comfortable version to roam around in. Dress this up for a weekend brunch with a colourful silk camisole and heeled sandals.

Follow Amanda Leigh Wong on Instagram @AmandaLeighStyle to learn more about her styling services.

The post 5 Essential Pieces To Start Your Spring Capsule Wardrobe appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Top Hong Kong Tailor Shops For Bespoke Suits, Custom Clothing, Alterations & More

Nina Brooklyn Brown — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 22:00:35 +0000

Whether you’re after a bespoke suit, custom clothing or alterations, here are our favourite Hong Kong tailors to turn to.

Today’s obsession with fast fashion has created a world where we wear what we want right now until we find the next hot piece and then move on. Of course we all enjoy being on trend and having that “it” item, but if you’re looking for longevity and one-of-a-kind pieces then perhaps it’s time to delve into the world of custom clothing and tailoring. As you get ready to invest in bespoke garments that will last a lifetime, check out our list of the best and most established Hong Kong tailors and alteration specialists.

Here are some general tips for your trip to the tailor:

Have one yard more fabric than you think you need if you’re supplying your own
Avoid wearing heavy or baggy clothing to fittings
Be realistic with your expectations
Make sure to wear the underwear you would wear with that particular piece to ensure that it fits and looks right
Wear the shoes you would wear with that garment so that your length measurements are accurate
Be honest during fittings – it’s much harder to change later on once garments have been stitched together and completed
Give yourself time for two or three fittings
Know what you want and stand by it, but be open to expert advice

Empire International Tailors – Tailor-made custom suits

As one of the few remaining family-run Hong Kong tailors, Empire International Tailors prides itself on its long-running history. With three generations of in-house quality tailoring, the iconic New York Times featured store was opened in 1983 by brothers Andy and Anthony Asaf. Although primarily a men’s bespoke tailor, Empire does also provide basic tailoring services for women. Suits start at around $4,600 and run up depending on fabric grade and thread count, with the entire process typically taking one to two weeks.

Opening times: Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm, Saturday, 11:30am to 6pm

Empire International Tailors, Shop 6, G/F, Houston Centre, 63 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2723 2673, WhatsApp: 5182 4497, Facebook: Empire International Tailors, Instagram: @empiretailors, www.empiretailors.com

Bobby’s Fashions – Tailor-made suits, shirts, tuxedos, overcoats and more

Bobby’s Fashions has consistently been recognised as one of Hong Kong’s leading Bespoke Tailors Since 1952. Specialising in cusstom-made suits, shirts, tuxedos and overcoats, for decades it has been regarded as one of the most trustworthy tailors in town. On top of stocking over 20,000 fabrics from the finest mills in Europe, all of Bobby’s Fashions garments are handmade in-house by a team of Master Shanghainese Tailors, ensuring you come away with the style you want to your exact specification. Plus, Bobby’s Fashions is one of the few tailors in the city to also specialises in custom ladies fashion.

Use promo code SASSY10 to enjoy 10% off your first order. Offer valid until Wednesday, 31 January, 2024.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm

Bobby’s Fashions, 3A Carnavon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2724 2615, Facebook: Bobby’s Fashions Bespoke Tailors, Instagram: @bobbysfashions, bobbysfashions.com

Ascot Chang – Luxury tailoring and made-to-order suits and shirts

First established in 1953 as a humble door-to-door bespoke shirt business, Ascot Chang has blossomed into a world-renowned Hong Kong apparel empire with Shanghainese roots, offering luxury tailoring and expertly made suits to order. Prices vary depending on fabric choice, cut and finishes but are well within the competitive category of the city’s best tailors. It offers a full range of services and the staff are all well versed in the necessary processes behind your customised garment, with only the best quality fabrics and finishes being used.

Opening times: Daily, 10am to 8pm

Ascot Chang (Landmark Prince’s), Shop 131, Landmark Prince’s, 6-14A Chater Road, 2523 3663

Ascot Chang (Elements Mall), Shop 2005A, Elements Mall, 1 Austin Road West, 2196 8438, Instagram:@ascotchang, www.ascotchang.com

MILK Shirts – Custom men’s shirt specialists

Founded in 2011, luxury bespoke shirtmaker MILK Shirts is the brainchild of Sheetal Pritmani, a London College of Fashion alumnus and former intern at Stella McCartney. Sourced from Europe, the fabrics at MILK are of the highest quality and are paired with considered accessories (such as Mother of Pearl buttons) and stitching, along with tailored waists and sleeves to suit every body type. Book a one-on-one consultation via email and choose from over 250 fabrics in person, or order made-to-measure shirts from the site.

New customers can use promo code SASSY15 to enjoy 15% off their first order. Offer valid until Sunday, 31 December, 2023.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm, Saturday, 11am to 2pm

MILK Shirts, Room 503, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 6535 3781, Facebook: MILK Shirts, Instagram: @milkshirts, www.milkshirts.com

The Armoury – Timeless tailor-made menswear and accessories

The Armoury opened in 2010 out of a need for more substantial products in the realm of classic menswear. Exclusively offering menswear, clients can browse over 50 partners – or artisans as they’re known here – chosen for their commitment to quality pieces and perpetual style. What sets this place apart is that it showcases everything from clothing, shoes and accessories to fragrances, luggage and more.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm, Sunday, 12pm to 6pm (Pedder location by appointment only)

The Armoury (Pedder), Shop 307, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2804 6991

The Armoury (Landmark), Shop B47, Landmark Central, 15 Queens Road Central, Central, Hong Kong (by appointment only), 2810 4990, www.thearmoury.com

Read More: The Best Shoe Shops In Hong Kong

Irene Fashion – Women’s made-to-measure clothing and alterations

Irene Fashion boasts decades of experience in the industry, specialising in women’s made-to-measure clothing. You can be sure that you’ll leave with a piece that fits perfectly and flatters your figure. A great go-to for any type of tailoring, from business clothing to evening gowns and even wedding dresses, Irene Fashion can not only help you fashion your ideal custom piece, but can also alter any clothing that you’re not 100% happy with.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm; Saturday, 11am to 5pm

Irene Fashion, Flat B, 2/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2850 5635, www.facebook.com/Irene-Fashion

Raja House & Raja Luxe – Tailored suits, womenswear and Indian designer wear

With over three generations of experience in the Hong Kong bespoke tailoring industry, Raja House believes that a good suit never goes out of style. Now headed by the founder’s grandson, Raja Daswani, this fashion house has gone from a family business to a global enterprise! Head straight to the Raja Luxe Showroom in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Cammer Commercial Building for womenswear and Indian designer wear.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm (Raja House); Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm (Raja Luxe)

Raja House, G/F, 34-C Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2366 7624

Raja Luxe Showroom, 2/F, Cammer Commercial Building, 30-32 Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2311 5612, www.raja-fashions.com

Remy Fashions – Quick and affordable alterations and custom clothing

With over 25 years of experience as a seamstress, King at Remy Fashion is a wealth of knowledge and a mastermind on making it work. Whether you’re looking for tailors to alter jeans, bridesmaids’ dresses, or are after something special for a fancy dress party, this one of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets. Inexpensive but of the best service and quality, Remy Fashion offers express alterations and experience that you just can’t beat.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 9pm, Sunday, 10:30am to 2pm (by appointment only)

Remy Fashions, Suite 1302, 13/F, Multifield Plaza, 3 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong (by appointment only), 2368 6929, www.remyfashionshk.com

Tai Pan Row – Quality bespoke tailoring services for men’s suits

If you’re looking to spoil a special man in your life, look no further than a custom suit from Tai Pan Row. Located in the heart of Central, Tai Pan Row is a Hong Kong favourite serving up international style and a focus on “the fit”. Collaborating with contemporary designers and brands, Tai Pan Row is modern, efficient and pays attention to detail.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm, Sunday, 11am to 6pm

Tai Pan Row, B/F, AIE Building, 33 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2728 1413, www.taipanrow.com

W.W. Chan & Sons – High-end, low-volume tailored pieces

W.W. Chan is one of Hong Kong’s most established tailors, specialising in bespoke menswear. Founded over 50 years ago, it is a member of the Shanghainese tailoring heritage – a Red Gang lineage that prides itself on expert craftsmanship and skills that result in the highest quality individual pieces. The tailors hand-stitch up to 75% of each garment on site and can produce almost anything you need, from fited suits to blouses and evening dresses.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm

W.W. Chan & Son, Unit B, 8/F, Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2366 9738, www.wwchan.com

Editor’s Note: “Top Hong Kong Tailor Shops For Bespoke Suits, Custom Clothing, Alternations & More” was most recently updated in February 2023 by Team Sassy.

The post Top Hong Kong Tailor Shops For Bespoke Suits, Custom Clothing, Alterations & More appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Lingerie In Hong Kong: Where To Buy Underwear & Bras

Team Sassy — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 22:00:29 +0000

Beautiful lingerie can be tricky to shop for! Whether you want on-trend pieces at Peach John and Satami, comfortable basics at Calvin Klein and Her Own Words, delicate lace at Intimissi and Oysho and more — here’s where to shop lingerie, underwear and bras in Hong Kong.

First and foremost you want your lingerie to have the perfect fit and size, but it also needs to be flattering and comfortable and to make you feel confident and sexy (even if it’s just for you!). That’s why we’ve done the legwork so you can find exactly what you’re looking for, whether that’s a bodysuit or babydoll dress with bright, bold prints, an elevated everyday basic bra or underwear or a timeless lace bodice or slip. Scroll through for our roundup of the best lingerie brands and lingerie stores in Hong Kong — including homegrown local boutiques like 6IXTY8IGHT, celebrity-led brands like Savage X Fenty and SKIMS and online fashion retailers like For Love & Lemons and more…

Avec Amour – Ultra-sexy lingerie and accessories to match

Known for its seductive collection of ultra-sexy luxury lingerie, Avec Amour offers a variety of styles to suit a range of tastes and budgets (along with a striking selection of accessories to go with your chosen looks!). The online boutique carries a number of international designer labels that aren’t readily available in other Hong Kong lingerie stores, including Agent Provocateur, Bluebella and God Save Queens. What’s more, we love the brand’s commitment to customer service; with hyper-efficient shipping, safe delivery and friendly service to boot, lingerie shopping doesn’t get any more tempting than this!

Avec Amour, Facebook: Avec Amour Lingerie, Instagram: @avecamourboutique, avecamourlingerie.com

Tani Comfort – Buttery soft, sustainable bras and panties

Who said lingerie can’t be comfortable? Tani Comfort is here to prove the naysayers wrong with its line of buttery soft nightwear made with eco-friendly TENCEL fibres by Lenzing AG. Created with your comfort and the environment in mind, the brand’s Silktouch collection includes a range of styles from lace-trimmed soft bras to hiphuggers with ultra-flat seams, that you’ll want to slip into day in, day out. Want to try the pieces out for yourself? New customers can enjoy 15% off all products!

Use the code SASSY20 and get an additional 20% off all products. Valid until Tuesday, 31 January, 2023.

Tani Comfort, Facebook: Tani Comfort, Instagram: @tanicomfort, www.tanicomfort.com

6ixty8ight — Local lingerie brand with affordable and on-trend designs

Lingerie that’s more low-key, casual and modern! Local brand 6ixty8ight is favoured by Hongkongers for its playful and comfortable designs and because it’s incredibly affordable. Styles here are more youthful and often come with matching comfy loungewear.

6ixty8ight, various locations across Hong Kong, hk.6ixty8ight.com

Aerie by American Eagle — Inclusive brand with plus-size and curvy lingerie options

Aerie is American Eagle’s pioneering intimates and activewear brand — one of the first to go without photoshopping or airbrushing its models in its lingerie and swimwear ads. Constantly promoting positive images of women and girls, especially differently-abled and plus-size people, this is the brand to go to for lingerie that will support and fit your body comfortably.

Aerie, 1/F, 31A Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, aeo.com.hk

Agent Provocateur — Luxury lingerie with everything from balconette bras to tulle thongs

As its name suggests, Agent Provocateur is one of the more provocative brands on this list, stocking luxurious special occasion lingerie with a lot of oomph. Alongside balconette bras and briefs, you’ll also find tulle thongs, suspenders, harnesses, bodysuits and more.

Agent Provocateur, available online at NET-A-PORTER, Avec Amour, Sheer and its website, www.agentprovocateur.com

Calvin Klein — Ultra-soft stretch cotton women’s underwear

Looking for something super comfortable? Calvin Klein offers extra soft stretch cotton women’s underwear as well as some elegant, lacey options. While you’re there, also check out its ultra-comfy woven viscose sleepwear.

Calvin Klein, various locations across Hong Kong, www.calvinklein.com.hk

For Love & Lemons — Young brand with bold and bright lingerie

A cult-favourite brand, For Love & Lemons is fun and flirty, with fashion-forward pieces that feature bold and bright prints and plenty of lace, tulle and satin. Expect a heftier price tag and matching sets (garter belts, rompers, bustiers and more!). While you’re here, make sure to check out its bestselling dresses. Shipping to Hong Kong is free on orders over $2,348.

For Love & Lemons, forloveandlemons.com

Gilly Hicks by Hollister — Simple and comfortable bras and bralettes

An Abercrombie & Fitch lingerie brand, Gilly Hicks is a good option for simple and comfortable bras and bralettes in neutrals, seamless underwear and lace thongs in an array of colours. Shop online or head to a physical store to browse in person.

Gilly Hicks by Hollister, various locations across Hong Kong, www.hollisterco.com

Her Own Words — Local brand with everyday and sports bras

Quality meets technological innovation at Her Own Words. Here, comfort is key, with the brand offering a range of award-winning everyday and sports bras designed to fit and feel good. This is a great pick if you’re looking to stock up on those basics.

Her Own Words, various locations across Hong Kong, www.howherownwords.com

Intimissimi — Italian brand specialising in lingerie and intimates

Italian import Intimissimi is well worth a browse! Head online or to our favourite Queen’s Road Central flagship for the underwear drawer of your dreams. The compact store layout means you can get your shop done in less time than it takes to have lunch. Collections are updated weekly and are designed to be sensual, romantic and comfortable.

Intimissimi, various locations across Hong Kong, www.intimissimi.com

La Perla — Luxurious silk and lace lingerie with detailed embroidery

If only the very best will do for special occasions, look no further than La Perla. The brand specialises in the exotic and erotic, offering luxurious lingerie crafted from the finest silk and lace trimmed with crystals, beading and spider web-delicate embroidery.

La Perla, various locations across Hong Kong, asia.laperla.com

Oysho — Spanish brand with affordable lace and silk pieces

One of our go-to’s, Spanish brand Oysho stocks everything from lace bralettes and silk pyjamas to fitted activewear, plush bathrobes and fluffy bedroom slippers. The bras and underwear are feminine, flattering and fashion-forward (plus affordable to boot!). There are no physical Oysho boutiques in the city anymore so head online to get your shopping fix.

Oysho, www.oysho.com

Peach John — Japanese brand with non-wire, strapless and more

Hong Kongers love Japanese fashion, so naturally, Peach John is a local favourite! A subsidiary of Wacoal, you’ll find every design from lace, satin and embroidery in various styles including non-wire, strapless, bralette and more, all at affordable prices. The website is in Chinese so if you’re ordering online, you’ll have to use Google Translate.

Peach John, various locations around Hong Kong, www.peachjohn.com.hk

Perk by Kate — Singaporean brand with comfortable, stylish women’s underwear

Singapore-based brand Perk by Kate is all about the details — we’re talking the perfect cut, good support and quality fabric. Pioneers of the padded lace bralette, head here for intimates that take you through the day in comfort and style.

Perk by Kate, www.perkbykate.com

Satami — Japanese brand with everyday and special occasion underwear

Whether you’re looking for everyday comfort, special occasion lingerie or maternity wear, Satami is a one-stop-shop solution for anyone in search of their perfect lingerie fit. The Japanese brand offers fitting guidance in-store and on its website so you’re sure to find your ideal size from a wide range of styles.

Satami, various locations around Hong Kong, www.online-satami.com

Savage X Fenty — Celebrity brand with fun, bold underwear

Did you know Rihanna’s lingerie brand ships to Hong Kong? Savage X Fenty is inclusive and fun, catering to all genders, skin tones and sizes — with everything from mesh tanks to floral cut-out boxers, crotchless catsuits, velvet corsets and more on offer!

Savage X Fenty, www.savagex.com

Sheer — Boutique carrying top lingerie brands

Sheer focuses on fashion, fit and friendly service at its Central boutique with the kind of attention to detail that larger retailers can only dream of. The Sheer girls (including our former That Girl, founder Lisa Cheng) will have you decked out in lingerie that puts a spring in your step! Brands available include La Perla, Coco de Mer, Fleur of England and Chantelle.

Sheer, Shop 310, 3/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.sheer.com.hk

SKIMS — Celebrity brand with skin-tone shapewear and underwear

SKIMS arrived in Hong Kong over a year ago, and we’re happy to report its reputation still holds up! With a wide variety of colours to flatter deeper skin tones and sizes that promise to go far bigger than local retailers, this is a great option for butter-soft smoothing everyday bras and shapewear. Shop in-person at Lane Crawford (with limited stock, but the option of trying things on) or online (for more variety)!

SKIMS, available in-store at Lane Crawford and online at NET-A-PORTER, Selfridges, Harrods and its own website, www.skims.com

Triumph — German lingerie brand with shapewear and more

With over 135 years of experience in designing women’s lingerie, you know you’re going to be in good hands at German-origin brand Triumph. Perfect for everyday wear, we especially love the shapewear.

Triumph, various locations across Hong Kong, hk.triumph.com

More lingerie brands and stores that are available in and/or ship to Hong Kong:

ASOS – Huge range of lingerie designers, brands and styles including in-house brand ASOS DESIGN. www.asos.com
Bodibra – Handmade lingerie focusing on colour and style. bodibra.com
Chantelle – Bold, Parisian chic intimates that are effortlessly elegant. www.sheer.com.hk/chantelle
Cotton On – Affordable bras and underwear, including bralettes, shapewear, bandeaus and more. cottonon.com
H&M – Wide range of affordable underwear and loungewear. www2.hm.com
Marks & Spencer – Great for stocking larger sizes which you won’t find in many local boutiques. www.marksandspencer.com
Mode Marie – Taiwanese brand providing comfortable and stylish designs. www.modemarie.com.hk
NET-A-PORTER – Stocks harder-to-find brands like Fleur du Mal, Dora Larsen and I.D. Sarrieri www.net-a-porter.com
Raven + Rose – Hong Kong-based brand designed to embrace women’s natural curves. ravenandroselingerie.com
Urban Outfitters – Stocks youthful on-the-rise designers like Bluebella, Only Hearts and in-house brand Out From Under. hk.urbanoutfitters.com
Victoria’s Secret – Iconic American design house with creative lingerie and comfortable sleepwear. www.victoriassecret.com

Editor’s Note: “Where To Buy Lingerie In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in January, 2023 by Sakina Abidi. A version of this article also exists on our sister site Sassy Mama Hong Kong.

The post Lingerie In Hong Kong: Where To Buy Underwear & Bras appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Chinese New Year Fashion: What To Wear In The Year Of The Rabbit

Team Sassy — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 22:00:10 +0000

Wondering what to wear this Chinese New Year? Dress for success in the Year of the Rabbit with these must-have red and gold fashion picks…

Have you decided what to wear this Chinese New Year? Dressing in red and gold is an easy way to dress for the occasion and attract good fortune and wealth in the Year of the Rabbit. Try to steer away from dressing in black or white as they are considered unlucky colours. Purchasing and wearing new clothes during Chinese New Year is also symbolic of good fortune and, if we’re being honest, a great way to justify those shopping bags in your bedroom. Scroll through for our favourite must-have red and gold fashion items to incorporate into your CNY outfit…

Canada Goose x Reformation, Reversible Lorita Puffer, $10,700

If you’re aiming for a more laid-back yet luxe look, this collab creation by Reformation and Canada goose is the quintessential choice. Made sustainably with recycled feather-light ripstop, it’ll keep you cosy if the weather’s cool — an easy throw-on for all occasions. Did we mention it’s reversible?

Zara, Stretch Dress, $79

Go sleek and stylish this Chinese New Year with this simple-yet-effective red dress from Zara. Finish off the look with statement gold drop earrings and some killer heels and you’ll be set for any celebration during the festivities!

Dr. Martens, 1460 Year of the Rabbit Leather Oxford shoes, $180 USD

Stomp around in these limited edition Year of the Rabbit Oxfords from Dr. Martens. We love the red and gold accents at the welt stitching and heel loop. The 1460 8-eye boots are decked out with matching gold D rings and aglets, and laced with a special gold commemorative charm. Pick up these boots at one of Dr. Martens’ physical stores across the city.

Charles & Keith, Rabbit Illustrated Chain Handle Bag, $699

Rep the Year of the Rabbit in a subtle fashion with this illustrated shoulder bag from Charles & Keith’s Chinese New Year collection. The chain handle will add a lovely gold accent to your look.

M&S, Lamé Puff Sleeve Midi Tea Dress, $799

Looking for a show-stopper? This gorgeous vintage gold lamé tea dress from M&S’ 2023 Lunar New Year collection will surely turn heads at your Chinese New Year Party.

YanYan Knits, Laza Bra, $135 USD

A cute and casual top knitted in super soft merino wool birdseye jacquard, this is a perfect option to pair with a blazer for a laid back dinner with friends, or for if you’re lucky enough to be escaping to warmer climes!

FIERCE, Love Fiercely Necklace, $300

This unapologetically bold necklace from FIERCE is the perfect statement piece to dress up any simple look. Pair it with a simple turtleneck and jeans or party dress.

Victoria, Queenhead Logo Cap, $300

Keeping it casual this Chinese New Year? Throw on this red Queenhead Logo Cap from homegrown brand Victoria with your go-to athleisure fit and hit the streets.

Cynthia & Xiao, CNY Fish Skirt, $1,580

Made of 100 percent merino wool, this skirt will make a cosy addition to your outfit. A symbol of luck in Chinese culture, we trust this fun goldfish print will draw in good fortune in the new lunar year.

Hunter, Original Play Short Wellington Boot, $1,111.99

We like to be prepared for all types of weather. Stay stylish in these short gold wellies rain or shine, and go all out with some woolly red socks for a fully festive look.

Read More: The Best Shoe Shops In Hong Kong

Editor’s Note: All listed prices were correct at the time of publication.

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Online Shopping In Hong Kong: Top Fashion Websites With Free Shipping

Team Sassy — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 22:00:22 +0000

Wondering where to start with online shopping in Hong Kong? These sites not only offer seasonal trends but also free shipping!

Searched through all the physical stores for that one specific piece? The magical world of online shopping means you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to get your fashion fix! To help all of our fellow shoppers out there, we’ve rounded up the top fashion websites that offer free shipping to Hong Kong — happy clicking!

Love, Bonito

Now with branches across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, Love, Bonito is committed to perfecting fits for the modern Asian woman — with a wide variety of proportions and colours designed to complement. Think versatile, evergreen pieces ranging from workwear to special occasions and more. We love the quality and feel of the clothes and the thoughtful details that work for the bustling city, our greenery and beyond. Enjoy free shipping and easy returns and make sure to join the brand’s curated loyalty programme for perks!

Sassy Tip: Don’t miss the Fall Winter Sale 2023, with plenty of cosy and stylish essentials.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders above $350.
Returns: Return your order via Circle K, 7-Eleven or Alfred Lockers for $20 for every five items, or by dropping it off for free at an Online Returns Box located at Love, Bonito’s Central store.

Love, Bonito (Central), Shop D, G/F, 30 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Love, Bonito (Mong Kok), L5, Shop 03-05, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Facebook: Love, Bonito Hong Kong, Instagram: @lovebonitohkg, www.lovebonito.com/hk

MiliMilu

Hong Kong-based MiliMilu champions sustainability and comfort, boasting stylish and practical pieces that are made from chemical-free breathable fabrics and eco-friendly organic materials. So how does this online store take extra steps to really ensure your wardrobe is greener? By creating high-quality clothing in long-lasting fibres that won’t wear down quickly (unlike fast fashion brands!) in timeless styles you’ll gravitate to again and again. Plus, it’s all made fair trade. A store for the conscious customer!

Use the code Sassy10 when checking out to get 10% off your order. Applicable to all products online. Valid until Tuesday, 9 January, 2024.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders above $700.
Returns: Request a return within 14 days by emailing linda@milimilu.com. If your return is accepted, MiliMilu will send you instructions for how and where to send back your item.

MiliMilu, Facebook: MiliMilu, Instagram: @milimilu_lifestyle, milimilu.com

Aanya

Aanya sources all its ethically-created and sustainable pieces from India — where this Hong Kong-based brand works to empower artisans and local organisations. Here you’ll find super cute boho-themed pieces as well as handmade bags and accessories.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on all orders over $1,200.
Returns: Pay for returning your item. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Aanya, aanya.com.hk

Aritzia

With over 10 in-house brands, you’re sure to find something you love at Aritzia. The Canadian fashion brand is all about accessible luxury and has gone viral on social media in the last few years due to its on-trend statement pieces that promise to be of higher quality than those from a fast fashion company.

Shipping: Free standard shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $100 USD and free express shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $250 USD.
Returns: A return postage fee of $45 USC (plus applicable taxes) will be deducted from your refund.

Aritzia, www.aritzia.com

Arket

This Insta-approved “modern-day market” offers up a selection of responsibly-crafted basics. Hero items include denim (we love the Regular Cropped Jeans) and essential tees. While you’re here, give the men’s section and homeware a look too!

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $200 USD.
Returns: Returns cost $25 per order (if returning multiple orders in one parcel). This will be deducted from the refund that you will receive.

Arket, www.arket.com

ASOS

ASOS makes it super easy to indulge in a trend without breaking the bank. There are thousands of pieces and so many brands to choose from, with an extensive range of lingerie, swimwear, shoes, accessories, jewellery and cosmetics plus petite, plus-size and maternity collections too. Just make sure to check items can be shipped to Hong Kong.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $520.
Returns: Free returns.

ASOS, www.asos.com

Charles & Keith

Singaporean brand Charles & Keith has stolen our hearts with its fashion-forward (and reasonably-priced!) shoes and accessories. We especially love its bags — they come in every shape and size and colour you can think of to help you look effortlessly stylish from day to night.

Shipping: Free standard shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $350 and free express shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $1,000.
Returns: Return by (1) using S.F. Express drop-off points, (2) using a Physical Return Form and choosing your preferred shipment method or (3) returning it in-store for free.

Charles & Keith, www.charleskeith.com

Read More: The Best Shoe Shops In Hong Kong

Cotton On

Cheap and cheerful, Cotton On is always an easy option for everything from swimwear and athleisure gear to on-trend dresses, shoes and accessories. We especially love its stylish loungewear.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $300.
Returns: Return in-store for free or via post.

Cotton On, cottonon.com

Free People

Globally-inspired Free People not only carries super chic bohemian styles but also cruelty-free beauty and wellness products. It’s a one-stop shop for all things vegan, from clothing to shoes and makeup, helping you to look good whilst also doing good.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $150 USD and free standard shipping on all app orders.
Returns: Duty must be pre-paid for international online returns.

Free People, www.freepeople.com

Grana

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Grana in the Sassy office. With its gorgeous range of silk camis and dresses, not to mention the luxe cashmere, it won’t be hard filling up your cart for free delivery!

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $700.
Returns: Free returns.

Grana, grana.com

J. Crew

We love J. Crew for its timeless take on fashion, which incorporates modern touches into classic pieces. A great place to shop for quality basics.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $3,000.
Returns: Use a prepaid label to return and $7.50 will be deducted from your refund.

J. Crew, jcrew.com

kapok

With brands including A.P.C, Maison Kitsuné and Alexa Chung, kapok impresses with its selection of “future classics”. Don’t miss its eclectic pick of homeware, including candles, glassware and more.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on all orders.
Returns: Items can be returned in-store for free or by post, where you’ll be responsible for the return shipping fee.

kapok, ka-pok.com

La Redoute

Find French fashion for less on La Redoute, France’s second-largest seller of women’s apparel. There’s also a homeware section too so your home can be just as stylish as you.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $1,240.
Returns: Return is at your own expense.

La Redoute, www.laredoute.com

Mango

Mango is great for simple day dresses, formal gowns, everyday basics and classic knitwear, plus shoes and accessories that won’t break the bank.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $1,500.
Returns: Return in-store for free or via post at your own expense.

Mango, shop.mango.com

Marks & Spencer

A go-to store for many in Hong Kong, Marks & Spencer stocks everything from clothing and accessories to beauty products and food! We especially appreciate its larger sizing and great-value underwear.

Shipping: Free standard shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $500 and free express shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $1,000.
Returns: A subsidised returns fee of $100 will be charged and deducted from the value of your refund.

Marks & Spencer, www.marksandspencer.com

Mischa

Forbes described Mischa as “one of Asia’s handbag brands to have successfully gone global,” and it’s absolutely well-deserved. Its travel and style essentials are definite must-haves, and you can even get them monogrammed for a nice personal touch.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on all orders.
Returns: No returns or exchanges through its online store.

Mischa, www.mischadesigns.com

Mister Zimi

Based in Melbourne, husband-and-wife team Jimi and Zoe Paul’s designs are bold on the print and relaxed on the fit. Its bold patterns and prints are inspired by foreign locations and cultures, modernising 70s-inspired garments like classic shift dresses and harem pants.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $150 AUD.
Returns: Shipping cost to return items is payable by you.

Mister Zimi, www.misterzimi.com

Net-A-Porter

If you’re looking to step up your wardrobe with investment designer pieces, look no further than Net-A-Porter. With more than 800 of the world’s most coveted designer brands, this is every fashion girl’s dream site. If the likes of Valentino and Chloe are a little out of your budget, take a look at Reformation, Madewell, Faithfull The Brand, Ninety Percent and Nike for a selection of more reasonably-priced premium buys.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $2,500.
Returns: Free collection from your home, work or an alternative address.

Net-A-Porter, www.net-a-porter.com

A British high street favourite, Next delivers easy-to-wear pieces perfect for both work and play. Check out its special sections for tall, petite and maternity to find your perfect fit!

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $300.
Returns: Postage for returns must be paid by you.

Next, www.nextdirect.com

Pixie Market

Pixie Market bills itself as a “Fashion Supermarket” — we only wish Wellcome or ParknShop were half as cool! Shop here for premium trend-led pieces, with a focus on luxe fabrics and quality fit.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $1,570.
Returns: A $8 USD fee will be applied to your refund.

Pixie Market, www.pixiemarket.com

Reformation

Sustainable fashion brand Reformation has a cult Instagram following, and for good reason! We’re head over heels for its gorgeous dresses, ultra-flattering tops and beautiful shoes. Definitely one to keep in mind for wedding season.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on all orders.
Returns: Free returns.

Reformation, www.thereformation.com

Revolve

Boasting a long, long designer list, we challenge you to find something not to love at Revolve! We keep coming back for the extensive array of denim, which includes new options for every season.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $100 USD.
Returns: Free returns.

Revolve, www.revolve.com

Read More: Your Guide To Outlet Malls In Hong Kong

SAU LEE

In need of a pretty occasion dress? Look no further than SAU LEE. This Hong Kong label offers up fashion-forward yet timeless pieces that are designed to be worn season after season, including ruffled tulle gowns, slinky velvet numbers, bedazzled sequin frocks and more.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on all orders.
Returns: Returns are free when using SF Express.

SAU LEE, www.sau-lee.com

Shopbop

With lots of big-name brands and designers that aren’t available in Hong Kong, it’s hard to resist a purchase or two at Shopbop. This online shopping site tends to spotlight more premium labels, perfect for picking up a few investment pieces.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $100 USD.
Returns: Returns cost $273.37.

Shopbop, www.shopbop.com

The Slow Mode

Every piece on The Slow Mode is handpicked, so you can rest assured that your new threads are keeping in with the brand’s commitment to mindful fashion. Head here for breezy dresses, conscious beauty treats and more.

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $300 AUD.
Returns: All return costs are paid by you.

The Slow Mode, www.theslowmode.com

YesStyle

YesStyle offers a full range of affordable clothing options from Korean and Japanese brands. Head here for all your seasonal, trend-led wardrobe additions. Plus, tons of beauty and skincare picks!

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $280.
Returns: If returned items are defective, YesStyle will refund the return shipping cost to you in YesStyle Credit provided that you used Air Mail or Registered Mail. It will not be able to arrange return shipping refunds for unwanted items or size exchange returns.

YesStyle, www.yesstyle.com

ZARA

ZARA is the place to head to for affordable takes on high-end fashion so we’re thrilled that it’s on our free delivery list! Also offering free in-store pick up on orders of any amount, what better time is there to stock up on new season essentials?

Shipping: Free shipping to Hong Kong on orders over $400.
Returns: Return for free at any Zara store or at a collection point in the same market where you made the purchase. $39 will be deducted from your refund if you choose home collection.

ZARA, www.zara.com

Also worth knowing…

The following may not offer free delivery but with flat rates available at reasonable prices, they’re worth keeping on your radar…

H&M, standard shipping to Hong Kong for $39.90, www2.hm.com
Harrods, shipping to Hong Kong for $240, www.harrods.com
Lane Crawford, shipping to Hong Kong for $50 on most orders and free shipping to Hong Kong for Beauty and Wellbeing orders, www.lanecrawford.com.hk
Urban Outfitters, standard shipping to Hong Kong for $290 and express shipping to Hong Kong for $320, hk.urbanoutfitters.com
Zalora, shipping to Hong Kong for $40, www.zalora.com.hk

Check out our list of donation resources in Hong Kong and make room for some new goodies this season!

Editor’s Note: “Online Shopping In Hong Kong: Top Fashion Websites With Free Shipping” was originally published by Sabrina Sikora and was most recently updated in January 2023 by Team Sassy. Thanks to Inés Fung for her contribution.

The post Online Shopping In Hong Kong: Top Fashion Websites With Free Shipping appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.