Hong Kong is one of Asia’s top shopping destinations, and while many flock to the city for luxury and designer goods, there’s a growing vintage scene that’s well-worth exploring. Opting for pre-loved clothing is a great way to stay sustainable, go easy on your wallet, and unearth some gems from the past.
Clothing isn’t all you’ll find; Hong Kong’s increasing vintage and second-hand shops offer everything from books and homeware to retro relics and more. Whether you’re looking for colonial-era knick-knacks or ‘90s gear that’s back in fashion, these are Hong Kong’s best vintage and second-hand stores you should visit right now.
A champion of circular fashion, Hula stocks a dizzying array of high-quality pre-loved clothing, shoes, and accessories. You’ll find items from luxury fashion brands such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Lanvin, Prada at up to 95 per cent off retail pricing, making designer wear much more affordable.
Shop online, drop by Hula’s boutique in Central to browse a curated collection that gets refreshed twice a week, or spend a few hours with friends perusing over 5,000 unique pieces at the Quarry Bay warehouse, where you can also host a private event or book a personal styling service. Hula also functions as a consignment shop, so if you’re looking to give your clothes a second life, you can sell them through Hula’s platform.
Hula (Central boutique), 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central; Hula (Warehouse), 404, Berkshire House, 25 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay, 2544 1511
Mee & Gee is one of Hong Kong’s most beloved spots to shop for second-hand clothing, where you’re guaranteed to leave with a one-of-a-kind find, even if you’re only inside for five minutes. Its clothing racks are stuffed with leather jackets, old-school baggy jeans, retro button-up shirts and a delightful range of quirky vests and dresses that have been imported from Japan, Europe and the US, and all at an affordable price range. It’s no wonder Mee & Gee is popular with thrifting veterans and newcomers alike.
Mee & Gee, 67 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3422 8029
Keeping up with your children as they grow is much easier with Retykle , an online platform where you can buy and sell pre-loved kids’ clothing, ensuring none of it goes to the landfill. With over 2,500 brands on offer, including designer labels such as Bonpoint, Burberry and Ralph Lauren, you’ll bespoiled for choice.
The platform also offers toys, maternity wear, Halloween costumes, strollers, car accessories, and nursery necessities such as playmats, swaddles, blankets, and baby monitors. If you’d like to view items before you commit to purchasing, you can book an appointment at Retykle’s studio in Wong Chuk Hang.
Retykle, Unit 8D, 8F Sing Teck Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang
One of the first and best-known vintage stores in Hong Kong, Midwest Vintage has long enjoyed a cult following among fashion lovers. At each of its three locations – in Tin Hau, K11 and Mong Kok – you can expect to find a treasure trove of vintage goods, with many sourced from the US, including a huge range of streetwear, leather jackets, overalls, and jeans. Midwest also has its own labels, selling a range of upcycled and repurposed vintage goods.
Midwest Vintage, Shop 58, GF Victoria Centre, 15 Watson Road, Tin Hau
Jik Sap is a design-forward store that sources vintage furniture and collectibles to give them a new home. Whether you shop online or visit the brand’s To Kwa Wan store, expect to find a tastefully curated collection of retro lamps and furniture from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, all of which have been beautifully preserved. If you have any antique items of your own that need some TLC, Jik Sap also offers a restoration service.
Jik Sap, 9/F, Block A, On Lok Factory Building, 90 Kowloon City Road, To Kwa Wan, 9219 1660
This trendy shop in Sham Shui Po should definitely be on your radar if you’re on the lookout for playful, “kidcore” vintage clothing. Sing Jai Kee stocks a range of hard-to-find items, from tees emblazoned with cartoon characters, brands and sports teams, to Hawaiian shirts, overalls and a selection of baseball hats, bags and other accessories. Keep an eye on the shop’s Instagram page to ensure you don’t miss out on a new drop!
Sing Jai Kee, 140 Ki Lung Street, Sham Shui Po
Credit: Asher Chan Photography
Credit: Asher Chan Photography
Credit: Asher Chan Photography
Founded by Take Out Plastic , a community-run organisation that is passionate about sustainability and reducing the load on Hong Kong’s landfills, the Top Swop Club is a clothing exchange that invites you to bring your own items to swap for other pre-loved, second-hand items. The club’s aim is to extend the life on clothes and offer a new shopping experience for Hongkongers. They host pop-up events at various locations throughout the year.
Situated on Tung Street amongst Sheung Wan’s many antique stores, Select 18 feels like a time capsule, with vintage and salvaged items for sale in every corner of the shop. Its shelves are chock full of vinyl records, old radios, toys and collectibles, cameras, retro travel posters, pamphlets, drinkware and lighting. There’s also an entire section dedicated to eyewear, which is one of the shop's specialties.
Select 18 is a true gem, a place where you never know what you might stumble upon, and where each piece tells a part of Hong Kong history. It’s a must-visit for history lovers, or those looking to own a piece of old Hong Kong.
Select 18, 14 Tung Street, Sheung Wan, 9121 3011
This online shop sells small-batch vintage, “gently loved” furniture, homeware and – best of all – books. With second-hand books starting at just HK$20, Gentle is a great place to score your latest read. Bookworms will delight in the selection of English-language fiction and non-fiction books, which can be purchased online or at one of Gentle’s monthly pop-ups at Common Ground. For every book sold, 20 per cent of the profits are donated to literacy charity Room to Read , which has a Hong Kong outpost.
Monthly pop-ups hosted at Common Ground, 19 Shing Wong Street, Sheung Wan