BANGKOK FABULOUS – I know it sounds a little out there, but sometimes it’s worth venturing off Silom and Sukhumvit for a spot of shopping.
I know, your eyes have glazed over and you’re not even paying attention now, but what if I told you there were some excellent fashion buys to be found just a couple of MRT stops from Asoke?
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Central Rama 9 is a pretty average mall by Bangkok’s standards; it has a lovely food court, the usual sports stores, a Robinsons, a cinema, and a few interesting accessories shops… but overall it is fairly unremarkable. Until you get to the MRT level and discover Fashion Plus.
Fashion Plus is a cluster of several boutique fashion stands and stores. If you have THB2000 burning a hole in your wallet this is one of the best places to spend it, whether you’re looking for beautifully hand-crafted leather satchels, intricately made sequinned dresses or heels so high they would make Lady Gaga balk. Best of all? It’s crowd free, allowing you to do your clothes shopping without shuffling from stand to stand while people tread on the backs of your shoes.
Here are the highlights:
April & May
Girlie girls and hipsters will naturally gravitate to this stand, where lacy dresses, embellished headbands, soft leather totes in blush tones and unusual accessories act as bait. All around the THB2000 mark, there are rails and rails of one-off pieces and bold, glitzy shoes and bags. This is the kind of shop where you’ll want to touch everything and you’ll find yourself wondering how you ever lived without an oversized red ruby glittery bag. Magpies; prepare to drool.
The Sleepless Garden
It’s quality, not quantity that’s on display in The Secret Garden. This sparsely stocked booth sells men’s loafers and satchels in neutral and earthy tones. Aimed at the fashion-forward gent, there’s no denying the exquisite leather will entice the ladies, too. Prices are a little on the steep side, but for investment pieces that stand out for their craftsmanship, we think it’s worth every baht.
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Patpicha
If tumbled gemstones and one-of-a-kind earrings and bracelets are your fashion nirvana, Patpicha offers a great selection for really reasonable prices. Their earrings selection is undoubtedly the highlight, with these uneven lumps of semi-precious rocks on an earring finding selling from between THB200 to around THB700.
Tom, Dick & Harry
But don’t despair, tat fans. It’s not all high-end statement pieces in Fashion Plus. If it’s cheap, bright and plentiful you’re looking for, the accessories in Tom, Dick & Harry will fit the bill. Skull bracelets, peacock feather earrings, owl bangles and heart-shaped crystal rings make this stand a highlight for the rummage on a budget. Prices are really rock-bottom, starting at under THB100, and the stand is quick to keep up with the latest trends.
Shuberry
I don’t know about you but when I’m shoe-shopping, I tend to end up in cold sweats as I try to rationalize why I need 18 pairs of leopard print heels and sparkly ballet pumps. But at Shuberry, you can forget the need to rationalize because, as well as being very pleasing to the shoe enthusiast looks-wise, they are also very pocket friendly, with most styles under THB1000. Sort through chunky wedgies, colorful stilettos and even adorable jeweled kiddies pumps, and expect to need a suitcase to transport your haul home.
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Bangkok Fabulous: Where Gaby Doman explores fashion and beauty in the Big Mango. If it’s hot, it’s here. And it’s hot in here.
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