I went to Hong Kong for the third time earlier this month.  I travelled with my friends this time around.  We didn't get to do anything, except for shopping on the first day for warmer clothes and comfortable shoes, and going to Disneyland.  But since it was almost closing time, we just took photos outside the park.

    Why did we need to buy warmer clothes in Hong Kong on our first day?  You see, my friends were not appropriately dressed for the weather even though they knew that it was going to be cold in Hong Kong.  It was around 15C when we got to Hong Kong but most of my friends were wearing summer clothes; one was even wearing flip flops!  When we were on the plane,we were amused with our co-passengers on full winter gear.  One friend quipped, "Exag[gerated]! May fur-fur pa!"  I laughed along with them since I also thought that bubble jackets weren't necessary.  But when we boarded down the plane, guess who the laughing stock was.  Yup, us!

    It got worse when we arrived at Hong Kong International Airport's immigration.  We were surrounded by throngs of travellers from Japan, and possibly, Korea, too, (let's just say East Asians to be sure).  And they were all dressed to impress, in full winter garb!  My friend, as I said, was wearing flip flops, and her toes were turning blue from the cold..  My other friends were wearing high-heeled sandals and stilettos, the ones you wear to the office.  One does not have a jacket on, just a thin blouse, but at least they're wearing pants because my flip flops loving friend was just wearing leggings.  Imagine the bewilderment of the people queued at the immigration.  You can clearly see the shock on their faces, even consternation from some.  All of them were looking at our footwear.  Guess, they were thinking how stupid we were.  

    I came almost adequately prepared; I was even appropriately dressed. But I was really hesitant to wear my rubber shoes because while it provides comfort, it isn't fashionable.  I was aware that people in Hong Kong, locals and travellers alike, are generally well-dressed.  You can even say fashion-conscious.  I wanted to look the part of a posh traveller but I did not want to bring my winter dress coat since it's too heavy.  When I got to see those travellers at the immigration, I wished I brought it along since most were wearing their most fashionable coats, boots, etc.

     Anyway, we rode our coach service going to our hotel and we rested for an hour or two before we headed out to shop.  We went to Tsim Sa Tsui to buy warmer clothes at H&M.  I just bought some bonnets on sale (HKD 10 a piece) and some flats to go with my new shoulder bag I bought back in the Philippines.  My friends rushed to look for winter clothes and shoes but only one did buy a more comfortable footwear.  The rest skimped on spending and braved the cold weather.  One purposely didn't buy anything because she said she had thermal underneath.  But she was shivering nonetheless and had to wash it everyday as she just had one thermal with her.  I even had her use my newly bought flats since she couldn't walk anymore by night time; she was wearing stilettos.

     Then we went to Mongkok and browsed the camera shops there and ate our super late lunch/early dinner at Cafe de Coral, a food chain I see almost everywhere in Hong Kong.  As we squandered our time shopping, we barely had time to go to Disneyland so we just took photos outside.  We were supposed to watch the fireworks but it was damn cold and we were all shivering. I was shivering the least.  My friends quipped that they now know how Nelo felt as he dies in the snow with Patrasche. And it was only about 13C!  Can I just say that every time I remember the anime "My Patrasche" tears well-up in my eyes?  Damn.

     To give ourselves another chance to buy warmer clothes, we went to City Gate.  But no luck!  We headed back to Panda Hotel via cab.  It cost HKD 170.00 or thereabouts from City Gate including toll fare.  And there goes our first day in Hong Kong!

    

     You may want to ask me how I know about store sales.  Let me be quite honest about it.  I work 5 minutes away on foot from a mall.  There.  And yes, the store clerks of the shops I frequent know me already because I am always present when there's a sale.

     Anyway, as with Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Topman, and other foreign clothes stores, Promod has been on sale since mid-January 2012 or thereabout for its year-end sale.  And, what's great about Promod?  Their winter accessories.

     Yes, if you're looking for a scarf that does not look a dime-a-dozen, then Promod is your answer.  Their scarf collection is great, although a little on the higher price range.  But, don't fret, they're having a 70% off sale and their sale items will remain until stocks last.

     Also, Promod's faux fur winter stoles are to die for.  Perhaps, you're a fan of Downton Abbey and you've probably seen Lady Mary Crawley with a fur winter wrap.  And your best bet at coveting that winter stole: Promod.

     Oh, and I should not forget about this one.  This is simply divine, but a little heavy.  You have to put it on when you check-in at the airport.  Putting it on your luggage will just add a lot to your allowable weight limit.

     And, I've bought these pieces for my Hong Kong trip this February, where the weather's a bit cold this time of the year.  Around 14C to 20C.  I'll put on a cardigan over the sheer one, and perhaps, I'll slip the black one on top of a long-sleeved fitted shirt in white, beige or gray.  What do you think?

     Before I forget, I've seen two winter boots over at Promod.  The first one looks more like a rain boot because of its style, or perhaps, a shorter go-go boots (Promod's style last season was mod-like), and a riding boot of some sorts.

     Oh yes.  I know.  One of the most read articles on my blog is about winter clothes shopping.  So, I am trying my best to share where one could buy outfits for winter.

     Last week, I've blogged about the sale at the Terranova, and now, I have something even better.  Topshop, which has been on its year-end sale since mid-January 2012, has just offered BUY ONE, TAKE ONE promo on ALL their SALE ITEMS starting yesterday.  Yes, you read it right.  On top of the 50% price slash, Topshop makes further reduction with their Buy One, Take One scheme: you pay for the higher priced item and the lower priced one is free.  For example, those oh-so-cute over-sized winter knitwears and sweaters, which range about Php 1,600 to 1,900 per piece (already with a 50% discount) can  now be yours for half the price, that is, if you buy any sale item within the same price range.  Yes, you can combine any items on sale for the Buy One, Take One promo.  So, you can have a winter sweater and a winter jacket, too.  Or a winter scarf and a winter sweater. 

     Just some of the winter outfits I've been raving about from Topshop (although I couldn't find photos of their oversized sweaters with thick stripes):

     Me, on the other hand, got a little shopping-crazy for their cute shoulder bags, and shoes, too.  

     Happy winter clothes shopping!

     It's still winter in other parts of the world and you might be headed to Europe, Canada, the US, China, Japan or South Korea. So, you'd probably need winter clothes, right? Well, you're lucky since there are a lot of stores selling winter clothes at a discount, including Terranova this January. I've been to Terranova today and yet again, I bought a couple of light sweaters and some warmer cardigans. I am going to someplace cold, but not that cold; only Baguio cold, but usually, I love wearing light pullovers with skirts and jeans even in Manila. I mean, they're good for the office, too since it's usually cold because of air conditioning.

     Most of the clothes on sale are the knitted ones which look really good on skinny jeans, leggings or skirts.  Just wear a thermal underneath (apparently, Uniqlo's are fantastic) and/or a winter coat, then you're good to go.  Don't forget to put on a scarf or some leg warmers for maximum cuteness.  BTW, their sizes are from XS to L.  

     Here are some of Terranova's items for sale in their stores:

     And, if you're wondering how to mix and match your clothes to look trendy even in winter, check out Terranova's lookbook, and I've screencapped some of their looks here:

 The tops and tights are in stores.

 Who says you can't wear skirts? Just wear tights underneath the skirt.

 Classic examples of layering for winter.

    

      Last week, I bought an autumn/winter shearling vest at Dorothy Perkins for half the price.  It was so pretty, and I only paid less than Php 1,500.00 for it.  It's so cute!  I know, I know, I'm not going to use it anytime soon, but since I'm planning for an autumn visit to Japan, and perhaps a new year's travel to Taiwan or Beijing, I'm stocking up.  It's not something that would be burrowed in obscurity.  BTW, this is the exact vest.  You can zip it 2/3 of the way if you want to have a normal lapel.  The aviator coat below is also on sale. at 50% off.

      

     Dorothy Perkins is only one among the many stores on sale right now.  Some stores have been on sale since the first week of January.  Top Shop, Mango, Marks and Spencer, Terranova and Promod, among others, have autumn and winter clothes on sale.

     So, hurry, grab those winter garb before it sells out!

     I have noticed that my post about winter clothes shopping is slowly rising to the top of the most popular entries.  Maybe because it's winter already in other parts of the world and Filipinos are flocking to those countries with snow; i.e., Korea, Japan, Canada, the US, etc.  

     When I went to Beijing, I only had minimal winter clothes.  I have a trench coat which I asked a dressmaker to create for me, a sleeveless beige jacket with hood with faux shearling lining (the trendy one),  and a fleece jacket which I bought from Winterhouse in Cartimar, Pasay, and a trench-like cardigan I bought from H&M in Hong Kong.  The rest are just normal summer clothes (the ones I use here in the Philippines, a country with almost a year-long summer).  So, I planned to buy some items in Beijing, but my luggage could not accommodate thick jackets anymore; it was filled to the brim.  Oh well, it was a pity since winter clothes are reasonably priced there.

    So, anyway, I went out around lunchtime today to go to HMR, just to pick up some items.  HMR is a surplus shop located in Pioneer, Mandaluyong City.  I was supposed to buy a L.A.M.B sneakers which just sells for Php 790.00 but I ended up buying a Jantzen bathing suit and some summer skorts (skirts with shorts inside).  While busy choosing some surplus summer outfits, my eyes strayed to a clothing rack at the far end, and by golly, HMR has some very good looking winter jackets!  Who knew?!  They have the slim type sleeveless puffer jacket with faux fur lining in glorious white and a velvety-type jacket with shearling-like lining (in choco brown or beige) which is so cute.  And it's only Php 790.00!  And there are some Kenneth Cole blazer-type short winter jackets in black, white, and navy.  It has puffer sort of lining inside, very warm, and it's very chic and trendy, and it sells for Php 1990.00.  And there are also some London Fog wind breaker in colorful varieties: yellow, purple, and green, which sells for the same price (it's sort of a short, fitted trench).  In fact, they even have a snow bib, whatever that may be (it's like a jumper, really).

     While the winter clothes aren't that plenty, they're more fashionable than those found at the Winterhouse.  The clothes look something like these:

      The snow bib I'm referring to is on the right side.  The picture came from HMR's website.  Apparently, it's insulated.  The photo on the left looks a little like the puffer jacket I saw, only, the stitching is made in diamond-like pattern, and the closure's not the same.  Also, the puffer jacket at HMR is a lot slimmer than the one in the picture.  It looks really hip and young.  The photo on the middle is similar to the shearling-like short jacket at HMR, although if I remember correctly, it has a standing collar and the zipper has small fur balls and it looks so kawaii.  The Winterhouse in Cartimar also has a similar jacket; a short one and a long one but it sells for around Php 1500.00 to Php 3000.00 depending on the length and on your haggling skills. The sizes of the shearling-like jackets from HMR, however, are from size 7-10 (medium), and the biggest is 14 (large).  There's a pink one for a child, but it's damaged.  The puffer-jacket has only one size, or rather, they only carry a single size; I think it fits a smaller to medium frame.  As for the Kenneth Cole women's blazer/short belted jacket, it comes in bigger sizes like XL.  The London Fog jackets look a like they're all in large sizes.

     HMR Philippines is located at Pioneer corner Reliance Street, Mandaluyong City.  For directions, check their website HERE.

     I have been carefully planning for my first autumn/winter experience.  I have been collecting autumn clothes but then I learned that temperature in Beijing in late November drops to single digits, and even lower (in Celsius).  So, in a hurry, I shopped for some winter accessories and outerwear at Winterhouse in Cartimar, Pasay.

     Cartimar is a small shopping district more popularly known for selling footwear and pet animals.  Certainly, it did not cross my mind that I'd find a winter clothes shop there, and a fairly large establishment at that.  When I saw the shop, it looked so sleepy outside; there were not a lot of people buying even in the other shops.  Inside the shop, I was the only customer.  While winter clothes abound, the shop looks like a more organized ukay-ukay.  Although of course, the clothes Winterhouse sells have never been used.

     There are good items in there, and some thermals, but the pretty ones are few far and between.  Well, if truth be told, there is almost nothing fashionable in that store, but if you just want to be comfortably warm, with no fuss, no frills, then Winterhouse would fit your needs.  Older or more conservative people would probably approve of their selection.  However, if you are more fashion conscious, you could ask the shop to custom-made winter clothing for you.  It'll take about a week or two for them to finish your desired design.     

     Don't get me wrong; the items sold at Winterhouse do not come cheap. Of course, you'll find a bargain or two, but their products are just a little cheaper than those sold at Terranova, Marks and Spencer, Dorothy Perkins or Top Shop; about 20% to 30% cheaper.  However, you could haggle with the shop's keeper for you purchases.

     I was able to buy a fleece sweater for Php 700, which I find too pricey, a hooded vest for the same price, and a set of winter gloves.  They're fairly cute, especially the vest.  My total purchase cost me Php 1700.00.  Well, I was looking for winter clothes patterned after Japanese fashion, but I had no luck.  The shop does  not even sell legwarmers, something which I see in almost every foreign clothes brand at the mall carrying autumn/winter clothes.  And I was hoping to buy some legwarmers since they're just too cute, and they're perfect for wearing leggings and skirts.

     Nonetheless, you'd probably find something for you at Winterhouse; you just have to dig deeper and be patient browsing their racks.  Or you can just ask the shop keeper for suggestions.  If you're buying for your mom and pop, or perhaps for your mee-maw (borrowed term from Dr. Sheldon Cooper), or granddad, well, you'll find the store adequate.  And before I forget, Winterhouse also sells winter clothes for kids.