Cheap Yet Chic: Looking Fabulous on a Budget
We all covet the latest runway pieces, but for most of us, they’re beyond our price range. Luckily, Beijing has no shortage of budget couture stores that provide decent alternatives – you just have to know where to look. Check out the following stores for both affordable and stylish supplements to your wardrobe.
L’sn
This Beijing chain’s outlets are usually small but well-supplied, with a wide range of distressed jeans (RMB 300-500), leather shorts (RMB 258), corset dresses (RMB 698), baggy ca¬ble-knit sweaters (RMB 200-400) and monochromatic tights (RMB 25). Don’t be put off by the occasional tacky shirt or piece of costume jewelry – there are many treasures to be found here.
Daily 10.30am-10.30pm. 1) 88 Bldg 9, Jianwai Soho, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5869 4287)
塞纳.左, 朝阳区建国门外大街建外Soho 9号楼底商88号, 2) 393 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District. (6400 3493) 东成区东四北大街393号, 3) D13, 1/F, Bldg 6, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5820 8807)
朝阳区建国路93号万达广场6号楼1层D13, 4) Rm 102, Unit 4, Bldg 1, Shenggu Dongli, Chaoyang District. (6442 4878) 朝阳区胜古东里1号楼4门102室, 5) 11B Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District. (6551 0186) 朝阳区工体东路11-乙
Zara
Every true fashionista makes a shopping trip down to this Spanish chain store on a regular basis, but not every branch in town offers the same selection. The outlets at The Place and Solana consistently put out the most fashion-forward and varied line of clothes and accessories: this season, that includes studded belts (RMB 150), sequined dresses (RMB 150-400), suede wedge heels (RMB 799) and military coats (RMB 699) to help you stay bundled up on top of looking hip.
Daily 10am-10pm. 1) The Place, 9A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6587 1341/49) 朝阳区光华路甲9号世贸天阶, 2) Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sun 11am-10pm. 1B1-6, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6100) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区1B1-6
Yashow Market, Silk Market
This is no joke – these tourist hotspots are goldmines for many fashion staples. Cross gender lines and pick out items from their men’s clothing stalls, which tend to be more classic and of higher quality. Their plaid shirts, wolf-printed tees, fur-lined coats, and cashmere cardigans and scarves can add some much needed androgyny to any wom¬an’s closet – and come quite cheap when properly bargained down.
Yashow Market Daily 9.30am-9pm. 58 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6415 1726) 雅秀市场, 朝阳区工体北路58号,
Silk Market Daily 9am-9pm. 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5169 8800) 秀水市场, 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号
Bershka
Though less well-known than its sister store Zara, Bershka is no less chic – and often far more budget-friendly. Its clothes are aimed at the younger crowd, so this is a good place to pick up trend pieces that won’t be too hard on your wallet. This season, much of their merchandise is bedecked with studs, zippers and leather galore – the perfect way to get your grunge rocker fix.
Daily 10am-10pm. B1/F, Solana Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6923) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾地下1层
Yunduan Clothing Store
Nanluoguxiang has its fair share of boutiques, but only a few offer enduring wardrobe pieces. Yunduan, with its feminine, hippie vibe, is one of them – the dyed scarves (from RMB 50 to 160), cloth and hemp bags (RMB 265) and sweat¬er-knit shirts (RMB 170) are refreshing finds in a city so overrun with glitter and cutesiness. Though a bit on the pricier side, one or two purchases from here should throw enough bohemian flair into your wardrobe for the season.
Daily 10am-11.30pm. 44 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District. (8401 2596) 云端服装店，东城区南锣鼓巷44号
H&M
Only the Xidan and Qianmen branches carry Jimmy Choo’s shoe line for H&M – but considering the swarming crowds at Xidan, we sug¬gest you head to Qianmen. We found nearly the exact same selection of clothes there as back in the USA, from the floral shirts (RMB 150) to the fur vests (starting from RMB 500) to the flirty party dresses (RMB 150-400).
Daily 10am-10pm. Qianmen Avenue Store, Building A16, Qianmen Dajie, Chongwen District. (6706 0508) 崇文区前门大街16A号楼
Green Sleeve
A gem in the line of boutiques west of Hepingxi Qiao (on Line 5), Green Sleeve reminds us of the thrift stores back home. It is stocked with an eclectic collection of vintage knit sweaters (RMB 118-300), leopard-print fur coats (RMB 350), acid-wash jeans (RMB 100-300) and genuine leather jackets (up to RMB 3000). Many items sport designer labels – including a stunning black double-breasted A/X coat (RMB 718) – and while we can’t guarantee that they’re all real, the qual¬ity and design reassure us that they’re made to last.
Daily 9.30am-11.30pm. 34-2A Shenggu Nanli, Sanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (6443 2187) 朝阳区三环中路胜古南里甲34-2号
