Believe it or not, we just don’t think there are enough shops in Hong Kong (try telling that to the men who get dragged along on shopping trips!). So here’s our guide to some of our most-missed brands which have yet to make their way to the fragrant harbour, plus some tips on how you might be able to get your hands on them anyway.
Topshop
There isn’t any fashionista in HK who hasn’t had their ear chewed off by a Brit complaining how much they miss Topshop. And no, we don’t mean a few items sold at 500% mark-ups at Lane Crawford. After all, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and even the Philippines have their own stores, so what’s the hold-up? The reasons Topshop holds a special place in every self-respecting hipster’s heart are simple –fashion so hot it’s barely made it off the catwalk yet, edgy designer collaborations (currently including Mary Katranzou, David Koma and Ann-Sofie Back) and enough styles to cater for everyone, all at reasonable prices to boot. And we’ve not even mentioned their brilliant range of shoes, handbags and costume jewellery yet either…
What’s the alternative: Topshop.com recently started delivering to Hong Kong – at £10.50 GBP per order.
Cos
We were delighted when we heard that one of H&M’s sister stores would be opening in Hong Kong… only to find out it was Monki, which seems to specialise in shapeless variants on black and not much else. In fact, everyone who’s anyone knows that Cos is actually where it’s at. Focusing on grown-up minimalism that looks as good in the office as it does on trend followers (who are loving the look thanks to Phoebe Philo at Céline and Stella McCartney), Cos is modern Scandinavian simplicity at its best.
What’s the alternative: Cos doesn’t offer online shopping so unless you fancy a trip to Europe, replicating the look at Zara (another European brand) might be your best bet.
Banana Republic
With Gap making the trip to Hong Kong soon, is it too much to hope that sister store Banana Republic does the same? Chic and sophisticated elegance is the name of the game here, whether it’s their stunning dresses, smart separates or laidback casuals – think Jackie O, Grace Kelly or Gwyneth Paltrow before she started trotting about in leather minis. You can’t go wrong with a company that has a category for little black dresses on their website, can you?!
What’s the alternative: Banana Republic offers shipping to Hong Kong with cost dependent on weight and number of items ordered. For a similar look over here, try Massimo Dutti or Club Monaco.
Whistles
If it’s good enough for the future queen of England (Kate Middleton sported a Whistles top in her official engagement photo), then it’s good enough for us! Headed up by Jane Shepherdson, the woman credited with turning Topshop into the force it is now, Whistles offers fashion-forward but flattering outfits in a range of glorious colours, beautiful cuts, quality fabrics and cutting-edge styles. Grown-up rather than old, we’ve seen Whistles worn by young whippersnappers (like Alexa Chung), yummy mummies, office workers and glamorous grannies, all with the same degree of success. We particularly love their signature ultra-flattering yet unusual silk print dresses.
What’s the alternative: Whistles doesn’t offer shipping to Hong Kong but a range of their items is available on ASOS.com (price dependent on number of items ordered), with some currently have on sale. In the meantime, head to Reiss, which has a similar aesthetic and thanks to the other official engagement photo, also comes with royal approval.
American Apparel
If it wasn’t for American Apparel, there would be a whole generation of teens without their requisite uniform of printed leggings and multi-coloured hoodies. Although you can identify the store by the amount of impossibly-beautiful hipsters congregating inside, there is more to American Apparel than dressing the cast of Skins. For reasonably-priced comfortable basics in a dizzying array of styles and colours, including scarves that can be worn as skirts, skirts that can be worn as dresses and dresses that can be worn in more ways than we’ve got fingers to count with, no-one else comes close – and the likes of Diane Kruger, Beyonce and Rihanna, who have all been spotted in American Apparel’s wares, agree.
What’s the alternative: Americanapparel.net ships to Hong Kong for US$25 per order and there are also stores across the waters in Beijing and Shanghai. A trip to Uniqlo might keep you sated until your order arrives.
Rachel is a writer, make-up maven and Girls Aloud addict who enjoys lusting after things she can't afford. Like what you see? Check out her blog, Though The Looking Glass, here.
