A well-put-together outfit can do wonders for your overall mood and how the entire world perceives you. It shows that you take good care of yourself and are prepared to meet anyone along the way while leaving a good, lasting impression. In fact, there are studies supporting the theory that being dressed to the nines can help with a person’s overall mood and disposition.
However, high-quality branded clothes come with a hefty price tag and can quickly burn a hole through your wallet. But here’s a life hack you should know about: some places can help you look rich without going poor, and these places are branded ukay-ukay shops or branded thrift stores. While these places might seem like an unreachable shopper’s utopia, some of them could actually be found right here in the metro.
Check out five of the best shops where you can shop ukay-ukay in Manila and where you’ll get branded clothes and items.
The thrift shop is beside a Mercury Drug Store to quickly locate the place.
Image: @ynahrollide
Found under LRT Anonas Station, Anonas Mall is a four-story-high. It offers a vast collection of clothing choices and items, from vintage dresses and sunglasses to stuffed animals. It is considered a mecca of fabulous fashion finds by many fashion bloggers because of its option varieties and prices. The average price range of items in Anonas Mall is PhP100 to PhP3,000 and up.
Address:Makati Square, Chino Roces Avenue, Legazpi Village, Makati
Operating Hours:Daily, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Makati Cinema Square is located across Little Tokyo.
Image: Make It Makati website
Makati Cinema Square is one exception of all the high-class (and not to mention expensive) shops and stores Makati offers. Still, it does have the Makati essence in that it is very well-ventilated and free from the pungent smell most thrift stores have. One of the best ukay-ukay places in Makati has five branded thrift stores to choose from that offer clothing, designer bags, and shoes. When shopping at Makati Cinema Square, the average price range is between PhP100 to PhP450.
Address:Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Palam, Quezon City
Operating Hours:Daily, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Raberly Ukay Center also has branches in Pasay LRT Station and Harrison Plaza.
Image: Raberly Dry Goods Facebook page
Just beside the North Avenue Station of the MRT lies Raberly Ukay Center, an ukay-ukay shop whose branded ukay-ukay items come from abroad. Inside, the shop is spacious with a high ceiling and racks and racks of everyday clothing items such as pants and tops and even home essentials such as blankets and curtains. The average price range for one complete outfit is PhP500, but the shop does hold markdown sales where items can go for as low as PhP10.
4. Ukay-Ukay Wagwagan, Pasay
Address:2819 Taft Avenue, Barangay 83, Pasay City
Operating Hours:Daily, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Ukay-Ukay Wagwagan also has other branches in the country.
Image: Bhing Ocampo
Ukay-Ukay Wagwagan in Pasay takes up an entire street of thrift shops. This ukay-ukay place can be reached easily since it is accessible through the MRT or LRT 1 lines. For PhP100, you can score three to four items from the selections, but things can go for even lower prices (some even for PhP10) every week because all items must go.
Starmall Alabang was previously knowns as Metropolis Mall.
Image: Starmall Alabang Facebook Page
In Starmall Alabang, buyers can have a more pleasant ukay-ukay shopping experience since the stalls are conveniently found on the mall’s ground floor. There are more than ten ukay shops with pieces of clothing that average in price at PhP100. Since the place is air-conditioned, the scent of the clothes is also more tolerable. After shopping, buyers can also splurge on the many food stalls.
May 2022 Update:Starmall Alabang is temporarily closed. Follow their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/starmallalabangofficial/, to be the first to know when they resume operations!
With places like these within your reach, you are well on your way to becoming the well-dressed yet savings-savvy individual we should strive to be. What are some of your fabulous ukay-ukay finds?
VisitYoorekka Magazinefor more shopping tips and guides in Metro Manila!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on March 24, 2018.
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About Eunice Sheene Fulgencio
Eunice knew that she’d be writing for the rest of her life from a very young age. Naturally introverted, she is selective with how she uses her time and who she spends it with. Has a penchant for sweet treats, sentimental proses, and online personality quizzes. A true-blue INFJ.
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