8 Mins Read
You can dress stylishly and sustainably with a little help from the best secondhand shops in Hong Kong.
We know, WE KNOW. It’s always tempting to shop with all the new and trendy clothes everywhere, especially when it feels like they are always on sale. But we have to face facts! Our planet is suffering and fast fashion is a major source of harmful greenhouse gases, not to mention that landfills all over the globe are full of our discarded clothes. In Hong Kong, more than 300 tonnes of garments are thrown away every day, making up around 3% of the daily amount of textile waste in landfills. Word on the street is that the city’s landfills will be full by 2020 so it’s seriously time to make a change!
If going naked is the most sustainable option (!), buying pre-owned items is definitely a close second, so we’ve gathered a list of the city’s hidden (and not-so-hidden) spots to get good quality secondhand clothing below.
1. Green Ladies
Established in 2008, Green Ladies is a social eco-enterprise selling a selection of like-new clothing on consignment. The shop in Wan Chai is not your typical secondhand store. It’s clean and modern and all the clothes are sorted by colour. From basic everyday items to special occasion wear, you can easily find what you want from head to toe for a bargain price.
Green Ladies Wan Chai: Shop 8-9, UG, C C Wu Shopping Arcade, Wanchai; Green Ladies Sai Ying Pun: G/F, No. 168 Queen’s Road West Sai Ying Pun; Green Ladies Tsuen Wan: Shop 116, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan – get more details on the Green Ladies website.
2. Hipster 9
It’s hard to miss the uber bright yellow doorway of Hipster 9, inside which you can spy vintage luxury items from jewellery to clothes – all in good condition. Some items are on consignment while others are sourced by the shop owner. The name says it all- this is a place for hipsters (& fashion lovers).
Hipster 9: G/F, Shop A4, 2-8 Lok Ku Road, Sheung Wan – get more details on their Facebook page.
3. Luxford (Previously 2hand)
Founded by 4 young professionals, Luxford sells mainly branded secondhand clothing. To make sure the quality, every pre-owned piece was collected and checked carefully by the founders before it goes to customers. For those who are lazy to check out their physical store in Kwun Tong, you can also shop on their website or Carousell.
Luxford: Room 605, 6/F International Plaza, 20 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay – get more details on their website.
4. Grannie Kiddie
For those who are obsessed with the 1950s-1980s, make sure to visit this gem! tiny little shop Grannie Kiddie is based in Tsim Sha Tsui and as you can probably tell from the shop name, they sell a selection of granny-chic pieces that are perfect for those who love to mix & match.
Grannie Kiddie: Flat B07, 4/F, Goodwill Industrial Building, 36 Pak Tin Pak Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories – currently by appointment only, more details on their Instagram page or website.
5. Mee & Gee (Me & George)
You don’t need an ‘open, sesame’ to get to this treasure cove. Prices range from HK$5 (yes, you are reading that right) to HK$200, making it the most affordable second hand and vintage store in Hong Kong. Free your afternoon, because there is enough here for hours of (dusty) digging.
Mee & Gee Central: 9 Li Yuen Street West, Central; +852 2501 0186; Mee & Gee Wan Chai: 3 Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai; +852 2153 0393; Mee & Gee Mong Kok: 55 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, +852 2388 0004 | 64 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, +852 2391 3091 | 181 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, +852 2394 8057 – get more information on their Facebook page.
6. 1ofaKIND by ImpaktHK
1ofaKind is homeless charity ImpactHK’s first retail thrift store selling affordable clothing, shoes, accessories and homeware to help the homeless. Inside there is a community café with a very interesting concept: ‘pay as you feel’ and ‘pay it forward’. Just like the Italian ‘caffè sospeso’ (such a beautiful and heartwarming concept), by paying it forward, customers can ensure that someone in need can walk into 1ofaKind and receive a hot drink or snack free of charge.
1ofaKind: 18 Man Wai Street, Man Wai Building, 2-24 Man Wai Street, Yau Ma Tei – get more information on their Facebook page.
7. Artisan Cafe
Love band vintage tees? This preloved spot may be for you. You might know their Instagrammable Artisan Garden Cafe in Sai Wan, but did you know the Central location sells vintage clothing including rock band t-shirts and cargo jackets? Feel the retro vibe and enjoy their vegan tofu cheesecake while browsing some vinyl classics. We can’t think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon, can you?
Artisan Cafe Central: G/F, Shop 3,30-32 Wyndham Street, Central- get more information on their Facebook page.
8. Retrovert
A group of fashion lovers with a special affinity for the environment are bringing you not just preloved clothing but also upcycling workshops and a drop-off point for your (clean and in good condition) less loved pieces. They will personally come to pick them up!
Retrovert: shop online here and get more information on their Facebook page.
9. HULA
Founded by Sarah Fung, HULA is an online marketplace showcasing preloved designer pieces for women, featuring brands like Phillip Lim, Balenciaga, Celine, Chanel, Isabel Marant and Valentino. Not only are many of these items still in wonderful condition (no one will believe it’s secondhand!), the prices are a total steal with the platform offering up to 95% slashes off retail prices, and they drop new additions every week! Another bonus is that HULA is committed to making a social impact, and has pledged to donate a minimum of 5% profits to partnered charities. For those who’d rather go check their collection out in person, they have a warehouse in Wong Chuk Hang and a shop in Central.
HULA Central, Ground Floor, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central; HULA Warehouse, 5A, Evergreen Industrial Mansion, 12 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang or Shop HULA online here.
10. Retykle
The first online resale platform for preloved designer childrenswear in Asia. Founded by Sarah Garner, Retykle showcases an entire collection of babywear and children’s from over 2,000 global luxury brands. The platform also resells pre-owned maternity clothes, baby accessories and brand overstock. Prefer to shop in person? You will love their 5,000 square foot shop in Wong Chuk Hang plus they regularly organize pop ups around town.
Retykle Storefront, 8/F Sing Tek Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road or shop Retykle online.
11. Redress
After 10 years of organising secondhand pop-ups, charity Redress has converted their headquarters into a permanent curated secondhand clothing and accessories shop called The Redress Closet in an effort to continue its mission of reducing textile waste by offering consumers an opportunity to buy pre-loved clothes thus lessening the impact of their wardrobes on the environment.
The Redress Closet, 78 Ap Liu Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.
12. Family Store Salvation Army
A shop for everything- quite literally. Find everything from wine glasses to toys and furniture at the OG charity shop chain but most especially a pretty solid offering of clothes shoes, handbags (hello, Kate Spade black chained beauty!) and belts. It genuinely feels like a treasure closet. Bonus: You can easily donate all unused items you have lying around the house.
There are 18 Family Store Salvation Army outlets across Hong Kong: Aberdeen, Chai Wan, North Point, Sai Wan Ho, Tin Hau, Western District, Wan Chai, Kung Tong, Nam Cheong, Prince Edward, To Kwa Wan, Whampoa, Yau Mai Tei, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun (Consigment Store), Shatin (Consigment Store). Find the nearest to you here.
13. abreak93
This adorbs store located in Causeway Bay was created when its founders realised they wanted people to dress more sustainably. Filled with pieces curated and modelled by the abreak93 owners themselves (check out their socials) and also tons of accessories including hats and handbags.
abreak93, 8 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay.
Lead photo courtesy of Pexels
Author
