Confession: A Hoi An Shopping Spree
Posted on 15. Feb, 2011 by Steph in Asia, Destinations
When I was at home, saving all my pennies, one of the first things I had to ruthlessly cut out was shopping. Particularly shopping for clothes- which I had to admit became a bit of an unhealthy hobby for me when I realized I had a closet full of Forever 21 dresses and STILL thought I had nothing to wear on Saturday night.
Oh boy times have changed. Since I started my new backpacker life my clothing options have plummeted dramatically. Every morning I have the luxury of choosing between about 7 shirts, a pair of pants, a shirt and shorts. I threw out my flats a couple months ago to save room, so now it’s flip flops almost every day. Instead of agonizing over what to wear on Saturday night I can barely be bothered to put on make-up (maybe mascara if I have a BIG night planned). It’s a good day when I manage to brush my hair instead of just tying it up in a ponytail.
It sounds kind of depressing but it’s not. It’s not particularly liberating either, it just kind of is. It was a lot easier to get used to then I expected and the only real downside seems to be that I’m wearing the same outfit in every damn photo:
However, it turns out that I didn’t completely extinguish my girly girl shopping demon. It as just sleeping and when I arrived in Hoi An, city of 400 tailors, it woke up. With a vengeance.
Hoi An is this truly gorgeous historic city in Central Vietnam. The entire downtown is a Unesco World Heritage site and it’s great to just walk down the narrow streets and watch the river light up at night. It’s also a very touristy city and there is a reason: Hoi An is THE place to come to buy cheap, hand tailored clothes.
When I say hand tailored I mean that there is literally no piece of clothing that you can’t have made here. These tailors can reproduce just about anything with just a picture as a guide. Cheaply too: a dress typically costs $20-$40, a pair of pants $30. You can buy an entire, hand tailored suit for under $200. It’s kind of amazing. You can’t walk down the street without tripping over a dozen tailors displaying beautiful samples of silk dresses and wool jackets (of course some of the tailors are more legitimate then others, which I will get to in my next post).
I started out conservativly. I have been wanting a cheongsam (link) since I first saw them in Shanghai, so I was able to commision one in midnight blue for $19. That was fun. Then I decided to have another tailor copy a pair of North Face pants that I have been wearing to death. And maybe a nice silk dress. Maybe two. So what if I have nowhere to wear them- surely I’ll have some weddings to go to sometime in the next couple years right?
As it turns out my imagination far exceeds my wallet.Before I knew it I’d ordered a dozen pieces and spent almost $300. Now when I close my eyes all I can see is dresses. I dream about designing an entire closet full of one of a kind clothes. Mike is looking at me like he has no idea what heppened to his chill, low maintance girlfriend. Not that he’s one to talk… he bought an entire suit and has actually spent more money than I have!
Now for a brief fashion show interlude:
Blue cheongsam dress- $19
Casual dress $25, necklace $5
My fave: white cotton shirt $13, copycat REI pants $35, necklace $5
Jacket $19
Floor length silk dress $50, Suit, shirt and tie $200. The picture is blurry because we asked the maid to take it.
Honestly, I’ve been pretty meager with my souvenir shopping up to this point, so I really don’t feel too guilty. Aside from a couple of trinkets in Japan and China, I have bought very little for myself. I’ve been stocking up on gifts for my family here as well. Tomorrow I will mail all of my beautiful clothes home and go back to being my normal, grungy self… for now.
Coming up next time: Useful tips for your own Hoi An shopping spree!
59 Responses to “Confession: A Hoi An Shopping Spree”
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Sheila
15. Feb, 2011
Great deals on the clothes. I love the pattern and style on your silk dress. I might have to stay away from Hoi An or risk spending a ton of money there.
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
it’s dangerous I tell ya!
Natasha
24. Oct, 2011
Hi Steph!
Myself and hubby are heading down to Vietnam tmr and would love to know which tailor in Hoi An did you tailor your dresses?
Many thanks!
Steph
25. Oct, 2011
Hi Natasha! I had Miss Forget Me Not in the Cloth Market do most of my casual clothing, then for the fancier stuff (and Mike’s suit) we went to B’Lan. More info here: http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2011/02/wardrobe-lose-mind-hoi/
Claire
15. Feb, 2011
I love clothes shopping, but my real weakness is shoes. After travelling about four months, unfortunately my spree hit in a far more expensive location – Spain. But I love my shoes and wear them all the time… now, anyway. Even if I did have to carry them for a month or so with no real opportunity to wear them.
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Ooo, everyone has their vices I guess. I mailed all my stuff home which means ill have lots of surprises waiting for me!
Theresa
15. Feb, 2011
I have a jacket in the exact same style but in a green tweed that I got in Hoi An! I get compliments on it all the time back here in the U.S. Love the dress as well.
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
I bet you soooo many people have this jacket. It was for sale in literally every shop.
mercedes
15. Feb, 2011
I love all your new buys, but I ESPECIALLY love that casual dress! It is so cute I could die!
Oh Vietnam. Is there anything you don’t have?!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
thanks! As far as I can tell the only thing Vietnam is missing is mexican food.
Sarah
15. Feb, 2011
OOh I love all of your choices, especially that white shirt
I’m so excited to go to Hoi An. I’ve started putting together some ideas of things I want. This could get expensive…
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
the white shirt is my fave too! maybe just cause i like showing off my tan. Good thinking on planning ahead, i think it will ultimately keep your costs down.
Sheryll
15. Feb, 2011
This is a dream to me. A tailor to custom make clothes for you?! and so inexpensive. I always have problems finding clothes that fit me perfectly and end up having to get them altered anyways. Clothes shopping is and will always be a weakness for me, so I know if I ever get to Vietnam I’m going to have a field day.
Ps. that jacket and silk dress are to die for!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
thanks! It’s so awesome to buy clothes and know that they will fit perfectly the first time.
Christine
15. Feb, 2011
Love the long silk dress! How fun!
Rebecca
15. Feb, 2011
As someone who HATES shopping (horrors, I know!) this place actually sounds like heaven as I could pick the style, fabric and color and have it fit custom made.
Vietnam has never really been on my radar, but maybe it will be, if just for the shopping!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Yeah, it’s like shopping without any of the bullshit, because you can get exactly what you want. One of many reasons to check out Vietnam!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
15. Feb, 2011
I <3 your new clothes!!! I had a bunch of stuff made for me in Thailand.
Claire
15. Feb, 2011
Very cute choices! I can relate to the minimal wardrobe-I used to have “going out” flip-flops. Which were the ones that just happened to be less dusty and dirty than the others. ha.
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
ha- i dont even have those. I have to choose between my regular flip flops and sneakers!
Ali
15. Feb, 2011
I love the jacket and floor length dress!! When I lived in China I used to love getting things made. The tailors could copy just about anything. Great post!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
it’s a good think I dont live here, I would go broke so fast!
Allison
15. Feb, 2011
Beautiful!! Makes me want to save up for a trip to Vietnam just to get some new clothes
(not to mention see the beautiful scenery)
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
And shipping home turned out to be only $30, so not too bad a deal either.
Theodora
15. Feb, 2011
Hoi An’s definitely a great place to shop. And they make great trousers, too, if you don’t want to have your entire wardrobe Asian themed.
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Yup, they can make just about anything from the looks of it.
valerie
15. Feb, 2011
good on ya for finally spoiling yourself, i imagine it can be tough living on pennies a day as a fulltime RTWer, its nice to splurge once in a while. btw my dad totally had suits tailored while he was in vietnam too. its just the thing to do there i guess (as a visitor)
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Yeah, it’s a great take home souvenir.
Jaime
15. Feb, 2011
Wow I had never heard of this place or that they did all this. I love this post for some reason it reminds of an episode of Project Runway. I think its the pictures that hit the spot. I picture you working it and wlaking them up and down the lil balcony there. I have dreamed of having clothes designed just for me. I may have to do just this when I am over there. I know you were a fan of PR so I am sure you understand where I am coming from.
Steph
16. Feb, 2011
HA, I was thinking about Project Runway while I was there. They are always complaining on that show about having such little time, yet these ladies can whip up a whole outfit even quicker! Amateurs.
Rebecca
16. Feb, 2011
LOVE all your new outfits! I got stuff made for the first time when I was just in Saigon for work in December. Quite addictive!
Verity
16. Feb, 2011
These clothes are fantastic! I can imagine I would go pretty shopping nuts if I ever visited there. I particularly love the asymmetrical jacket you bought. So cool!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
thanks! I’m really happy with how it turned out.
Geoff
16. Feb, 2011
$200 for a suit? When I was there, I got my silk suit made up for less than 50, and it was my last day in town, so I asked at about 9pm and got it before 7am the next morning. And it’s awesome quality!
Steph
16. Feb, 2011
It really depends on where you go there were definitely suits available for less money. Mike shopped around quite a bit, compared fabrics and workmanship and ultimately went with what felt right. No qualms about the price because it’s an investment!
Audrey
16. Feb, 2011
Same thing happened to us on our visit. Next thing we know, we’ve got a whole box full of clothes to ship. My mother said the box was held together with tape by the time it arrived three months later. Now I wish I had more occasions to actually wear the fun clothes!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
haha yeah, I was thinking that now all I need is a fancier life!
Jeremy
16. Feb, 2011
It is scary how fun it is to buy custom clothes, and I HATE clothes shopping. What shop did you go to in Hoi An? I went to Yaly Couture (the very nice expensive one) and got a custom suit and 3 shirts with shipping back home for $250 total.
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
I went to B’Lan (where Mike got his suit) and Miss Forget Me Not. Both awesome. Wrote some reviews that are going up today.
Elise
16. Feb, 2011
How GOOD is Hoi An for the shopping?!?! When we were there I didn’t buy a thing, but we plan on stopping through there on our way back to home and then I will let myself go wild! I’m getting shoes, dresses-everything made! Anthony is even considering getting his suit made there for our wedding! So good to see you went a little crazy with clothes! The maxi dress looks great!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Thanks! I wish I was heading home sometime soon so I could actually enjoy all those clothes I bought!
ehalvey
16. Feb, 2011
I need that jacket and floor length silk dress! You have a great eye
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
thanks!
Nicki
16. Feb, 2011
My husband and I did the exact same thing when we went to Hoi An! So much fun, and SO addicting!!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
seriously- it’s good that I got out when I did!
Cailin
16. Feb, 2011
OMG I love it all and must go there right now! haha
I love love love the dress with the black top and orange pattern bottom with the matching necklace and the jacket! OMG
lucky girl you, money well spent! hopefully there is room in your pack for it! haha
Oh and Mike is looking quite spiffy himself!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Thanks- I thought he turned out quite handsome too
Chris
16. Feb, 2011
Suit, shirt AND tie for $200???
Sign me up!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
I don’t know a lot about menswear but I know that’s a sweet deal.
Brooke, WhyGo Australia
17. Feb, 2011
Love the jacket for only $19! I have been reading about people getting tailored clothes from SEA for YEARS now. I want. WANT!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
I know, I’m already planning my return trip, it’s sad.
Marsha
17. Feb, 2011
The jacket is SLAMMIN’!! For $19??? My inner fashionista/bargain shopper just gave you a high five from across the miles!!
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Yeah- pretty sweet! I love jackets too, good to have a new one for the collection.
Connie
17. Feb, 2011
The blue cheongsam is gorgeous on you! LOVE the color! I too went a little shopping crazy in Hoi An. Here’s my post if you’re interested in my purchases: http://connvoyage.blogspot.com/2010/11/hoi-the-town-that-tailors-to-you.html
Steph
17. Feb, 2011
Thanks so much! It was the first thing I ordered and I was really please. Opened the flood gates I think…
Amanda
17. Feb, 2011
I love the jacket, and would probably fight you for that silk dress! Beautiful!
I think the splurge looks like it was totally worth it! And you absolutely cannot beat those prices for hand-tailored, one-of-a-kind clothes like that.
Rease
17. Feb, 2011
This sounds disastrously dangerous! I hate shopping but part of why is I hate overpriced stuff that doesn’t fit perfectly- two problems that are not issues there, clearly.
I love all the stuff, the jacket is great!
Andrea
03. Mar, 2011
I love your new clothes!!! Especially the jacket and first blue dress. Gah! Love it!!!