Tired of Zara? H&M just hit and miss? Find your new wardrobe at these achingly cool boutiques, with clothes and accessories from a mixture of up-and-coming designers, local brands and well-established but hard-to-find international labels.
Culture Matters
The retro-revival trend makes Shanghai’s cult sneaker brand Feiyue an obvious choice of footwear, and at Culture Matters you’ll find them in all shapes and styles. Selling originals at 80RMB, prices are a little higher than you’ll pay at the Feiyue Factory Outlet shop (38RMB; 585-1 Zunyi Lu, Changning district), but here you can take your pick from all kinds of looks and the latest seasonal offerings: ‘I HEART SH’ high-tops (133RMB); a collection hand-painted with traditional Chinese drawings (starting around 350RMB); and (at the of time of writing) a whole series of Star Wars sneakers.
20 Taian Lu near Wukang Lu, Xuhui district. Open 9.30am-9.30pm daily.
Alter
Sourcing wares from fashion weeks and shows worldwide, this ultra-chic, multi- brand concept store in Xintiandi Style has been introducing Shanghai’s fashion forward to a different side of international haute couture since it opened in 2010. Championing labels that are less-known across China, founder and curator Sonja Long Xiao regularly seeks out fresh brands, bringing in new designers each season.
Alter is currently carrying the likes of artisanal Spanish label ANDRESGALLARDO that uses broken porcelain to create handbags and jewellery; Parisian brand Y/ Project that blurs the boundaries between men’s and women’s collections; and items from its in-house label Rolling Acid influenced by ’60s and ’70s subcultures. While the goods don’t come cheap, they won’t run you as much as luxury brands, but the looks are just as good. Refuel at the in-store Spread the Bagel as you go.
L116, First floor, Xintiandi Style, 245 Madang Lu, near Fuxing Lu, Huangpu district. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Pawnstar
Encouraging sustainable attitudes towards shopping while making designer wear affordable, secondhand consignment shop Pawnstar is the place to shift your old wardrobe and find a whole new one – well, used one. The labels on offer are extensive, with items from the likes of Shanghai Tang, Chanel and Nicholas Kirkwood lining the racks and a sizable collection of jewellery, bags, ties, hats and shoes filling the rest of the space. Items that aren’t up to scratch for sale are upcycled by in-house designer Nisa or donated, but never wasted.
Room 104, Building 1, The Clement Apartments, 1363, Fuxing Zhong Lu, Xuhui district. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Young Chinese Blood
Shanghai through and through, Young Chinese Blood (YCB) is a brand for the urban gentleman, never short on supply of super-fly bowties, pocket squares and scarves, smart-casual patterned tees and button downs, and a whole other array of hip lifestyle products – with a few unisex things in the mix, too.
The whole style and demeanour encourages today’s young men to be casual but trendy, smart but relaxed, modest but sophisticated via designs for guys who care about how they look. The brand’s mission to ‘merge classic elegance and the ever-evolving contemporary urban culture’ is one we can definitely get down with (and encourage you to, too). YCB has a showroom on Fuxing Zhong Lu, but ten minutes on the website is all you really need to become a convert.
Fourth floor, naked Hub 1237 Fuxing Zhong Lu near Jiashan Lu, Xuhui district. By appointment only.
Zurita
A project by Spanish designer Monica Muriel Zurita, this women’s fashion brand is on a mission. Part of the slow fashion movement, Zurita’s designs are made with sustainability in mind every step of the way, from using only natural materials and fibres (silk, bamboo, fish leather) to creating high-quality clothes in timeless and versatile styles to maximise wearability.
With ‘community’ as part of its mantra, Zurita’s clothes are designed and handmade by artisans and prices are reasonable. New items are introduced to the Wulumuqi Lu boutique each week, and with only nine pieces per design, chances are you’ll score an individual look.
Bldg 7, 247 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu, Xuhui district. Open 10am-8.30pm daily.
Project Aegis Co.
A long-time favourite amongst Shanghai’s city slickers and trendsetters, menswear boutique Project Aegis has all the right parts in all the right places. Carrying mostly imported clothing and accessories from high-end North American and European brands, here you can pick up the likes of Rag & Bone, NSF, Naked & Famous, RAINS and more – you should also take a look at the store’s own in-house collection.
Threads aside, the two-storey flagship on Taojing Lu is worth a visit in its own right – it’s as stylish as the clothes themselves, with a seriously cool café on the first floor. Take advantage of the Dianping coffee and cake deal for 49RMB.
1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu, Xuhui district. Open midday-8pm Wed-Sun.
Triple-Major
Hailing from Beijing, Triple-Major is an achingly cool indie outfit set in a gorgeous lane house on Shaoxing Lu. The multi-purpose creative studio offers up mens- and womenswear, funky accessories and an odd collection of design literature. Triple Major is home to hipster pieces from offbeat designers that are hard to find elsewhere in the city – including its own covet-worthy, kooky in-house label. True, most items aren’t cheap, but you just can’t put a price on style.
Bldg 1, Lane 25 Shaoxing Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu, Huangpu district. Open 1-8pm Tue-Sun.
Lolo Love Vintgage
With ’70s prints, ’80s box-shoulders, shiny fabrics, kitten heels and more back big this season, Lolo Love Vintage should be at the top of your hit list. Carrying a carefully curated collection spanning 1910 through the 1980s, owner Lolo sources her wares from across Europe and the US and has a beautiful selection of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Here, you’ll find a number of throwback styles from the ’50s to the ’70s, with some great ’80s fashion in the mix too. Alternatively, only a ten-minute cycle away, Annata Vintage has a charming collection, with many pieces from 1920 through the ’60s.
2 Yongfu Lu, near Wuyuan Lu, Xuhui district. Open midday-10pm daily.
Xinlelu Boutique
When it comes to classy Shanghai boutiques, Xinlelu is a favourite. The independent Shanghai brand is run by fashionista and savvy businesswoman Yilei Wu, who has created a sleek womenswear store in Jingan and online. Specialising in quirky jewellery, unique bags and independent clothing brands, Xinlelu’s collection is carefully curated according to the shop's classic, sophisticated ‘Shanghai girl style’ – currently featuring the wares of Australian brand Keepsake and trendy New York line All Comes From Nothing. Pop into the small store or check out the all-too-tempting website to get yourself fitted out.
414 Shaanxi Bei Lu, Beijing Xi Lu, Jingan district. Open midday-8pm daily.
Germain Tailors
A tailoring service with stylish cuts, reasonable prices, and an appointment-only policy. Their ties come with a matching pocket square and are made using the traditional seven-fold method – a single piece of material is folded in on itself seven times instead of using a sewn-on lining. Germain’s accessories are fully customisable, with over 700 fabrics to choose from.
Ground floor, House 40, Lane 560 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Wulumuqi Nan Lu, Xuhui district. By appointment only.
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