THRIFT stores NEAR HKU
Audrey Lee
Thrifting is unarguably one of the biggest 2020 trends in the influencer fashion community. If you happen to follow any fashion Youtuber, it’s very likely that you’ve seen their sponsorship video with online thrift shops like ThredUp and Depop. Maybe you even browsed ThredUP to scout for quaint pieces, only to come to the anticlimactic discovery of shipping costing more than your purchases. To save you from future online thrifting bummers, here are some of Malachite’s favourite local thrift shops to help you stay both environmentally and wallet friendly!
Location: Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Wan Chai
Price: 💸
Instagram: @meegee_co
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With branches scattered across HK Island and Kowloon, Mee&Gee is not only the most accessible on our list, but also the best for those on a tight budget. Items start from $5 and include both second hand items and factory rejects. Dainty vests and printed shirts are some of M&G’s bestsellers, but it does take some serious rummaging to find your ideal piece as shelves lack a bit of organization.
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mee&gee
Price: 💸💸
Location: Shop A2, G/F, Man Kwong Court, 12F-12G Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town
Instagram: NIL
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Surprisingly, the Salvation Army store has the best collection of fine-grain leather jackets among our list. A vibrant mix of the currently in-trend oversized styles and the IT girl staple of fitted biker styles is an unexpected delight offered by the neighborhood store. Almost brand-new jackets could be bought with $450 and prices could go as low as $250 for more worn in pieces.
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SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE
Location: Mong Kok, Tin Hau
Price: 💸💸💸
Instagram: @midwestvintage @midwest_mkshop @midwest_618
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It is fair to say Midwest is the closest equivalent of America’s Goodwill in HK. With an extensive collection of America-imported vintage Levis, graphic tees and flannel shirts, one can experience the hype of finding a pair of vintage jeans (as often portrayed by Youtubers in their “thrift with me” videos). All three branches have fitting rooms, a godsend for rational consumers who are exclusively looking for their perfect fit.
MIDWEST VINTAGE
Location: 4A08, 4/F, Ho King Commercial Centre, 2-16 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok
Instagram: @vindayhk__
Price: 💸💸💸💸
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Vinday is the place to go if you’re trying to segue into the Japanese vintage world. Items are mostly sourced from Japan and feature a mix of Carharrt, Hard Rock Cafe and Harley Davidson tees. If you’re looking for a treat for yourself, they also have a stellar collection of YSL jackets and hoodies priced around $400. Sourcing services are also available — drop them particulars and they’ll find your dream piece for you!
VINDAY
Location: 1/F, 16A Aberdeen St, Central
Price: 💸💸💸💸💸
Instagram: @bangbang70s
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Tucked away in a small attic opposite PMQ, Bang Bang 70’s has a long established reputation of being one of the most well curated thrift shops in Hong Kong. Vintage designer watches, bags, shoes and even figurines can be easily spotted once you step into the store. Although its specialisation on designer items might send your wallet directly to the ICU, the artsy decor and stunning pieces still make it worth a visit, especially if you are looking for styling inspirations.