Confessions of an Ukay-ukay Addict
By Kathee Bagz
I had a lot of my friend's heads nodding in approval when I said that looking for the best buys in ukay-ukay is a helluva talent.
In a country where the prices of gasoline, flour, oil, diapers, milk and other basic needs are skyrocketing, an average Pinoy is left with only a few pesos in the pocket to buy for basic things for himself like shoes, bags and clothing.
Thanks to the exciting shopping phenomenon that is ukay-ukay, branded clothes and goods like Bally, Esprit, A & F, Ralph Lauren are now within the reach of low to middle-income earning Pinoys today. Dockers khakis for P150 a pair, Giordano shirts for P100, Benetton bags for P120, Esprit blouses at P80, Ferragamo sandals at P180, Bally shoes at P200. And the exciting finds are not just limited to the known brands. There are soft cotton blouses from Korea (3 pieces for P100), sporty shorts from Pakistan at P60, embroidered baby clothes from China at P15 each, flowing skirts made in Japan at P50. Name it, they have it. As long as you won't stop searching.
Amazingly, at the ukay-ukay shop there are also affluent-looking individuals who also sweat their butts out looking for that perfect clothing material, like searching for the Yamashita treasure in a pile of clothes.
Years ago, no self-respecting Pinoy fashionista would admit that his outfit came from a bundle of second-hand clothes bought in a place known to be the "armpit of Cebu."
Today, a minimum wage factory worker can proudly rub elbows with the society's "alta sociudad" or the the bank tellers, government workers (like me) or call center agents.
One time, my twin and I met a woman at the dressing room while I was fitting a pair of capris. She admitted she's a patron of ukay-ukay, not just here in Cebu but also in her native Ormoc City. She confessed that each week a friend of hers bring her the latest "inablihan" right at her home, and she just chooses the clothes to buy. That surprised us because being an owner of a famous spa facility in the city, she could always afford to buy designer things sold at malls and exclusive boutiques.
Looking for that PERFECT clothing in an ukay-ukay is a test of one's patience. First off, there is this striking odor that sellers pour on the clothes to disinfect and prevent damage. Most people say they want to go to ukay-ukay but just couldn't stand the foul odor the clothes exude. That is understandable. In fact, the stinking odor of the infamous Carbon Market in addition to the chemicals used for the ukay-ukay left me with a terrible migraine the first time I attacked. It was supposed to be traumatic. But I was challenged.
Then there are those "rejects from hell" to contend with. An ukay-ukay shopper must always be vigilant. Just as you are busy browsing through the pile, who knows someone might also be busily browsing through your bags.
My first ukay-ukay buy was a long-sleeved U2 blouse that cost P150. The rest is history.
So many times I get compliments for the shirt or pants I wear. I like the look on their faces when I tell them it's ukay-ukay.
As a loyal ukay-ukay patron, sellers now text me when they have new arrivals. This is also a bonding time for me and my twin. Hauling through the migraine-causing ukay-ukay has become a perfect venue for us to compare notes since she's my fashion adviser and update each other on the latest of our common friends.
Just as I spend too much on ukay-ukay per week, I am also as generous in giving out what I have in my closet. Each year, I always give out my clothes to my indigent relatives in Ormoc or to my close friends who accept usable hand-me-downs.
There is fun in ukay-ukay. It is a journey that should be enjoyed in bits and pieces. Stories about finding dollar bills or gold bracelet tucked inside the pants have continue to inspire die-hard ukay-ukay lovers like me. But it doesn't matter if I find an empty pocket of the capris I bought. The mere fact that I have brought home with me what I believe is THE ONE, then that's all there is to it.
Out there, browsing together with 20 or so people from all walks of life, lies endless possibilities. Like what Forest Gump said, "you never know what you're gonna get."
Comments
Hi mahilig din ako sa Ukay. The chaleenge is to look for that one of a kind outfit and making it into a fshionable one that makes people never miss to ask you where you bought it. Right? My best buys are new (may tag pa) french connection business suit (terno, pero magkahiwalay ko nahanap), zara made in morocca floral jacket( bago pa), them leather bag, mango dress, and DnG denim. Oh! a pair of designer wedge made in brazil, anna sui leethar-canvas shoulder bag, original. exciting dba? d2 sa malate and location ng shop. IkaW share mo naman and favorite locations ng shop mo.
Thanks for your wonderfully written piece. I
m avid fan of ukay ukay as well, but I'm starting to wonder how this phenomenon which obviously favors us middle income fashionista affects the hardworking legitimate fashion stores giving jobs to many Filipinos. Just a thought. Anyway, I am quite apprehensive revealing my secret that I get my fabulous clothes from Ukay bec I gift them to my friends as presents and sometimes I hear them snicker at the phenomenon of ukay. But they have accepted the designer Ukay BAguio bags.he he he.
Exactly my thoughts, Jenny!I'm worried about the local clothing businesses going under bec of this phenomenon and I'm reluctant to declare to my friends and colleagues that the fabulous outfits I'mwearing are all cheap ukay finds bec I give them the new ones with the tags still on as presents during Christmas. They also look down on ukay clothes which they believe all ukay have already been used, but we all accept the branded BAguio ukay bags. :)
hi txt me at 09054186369 -obin
try nyo sa grand central monumento yung mga paninda nilang ukay ukay dun dabest tlaga...
Hi! I love ukay-ukay too! I've been buying my clothes from shops in Ermita and Libertad. Anyway, please visit my uka-ukay site: www.ukayukayescapades.i.ph
Thaks!
hi pls i wqant to know where i can buy good ukay ukay cloths tnx
I have lots of selected tshirt, blouse, Shorts, Cargo and boardshorts. all branded items..From Quiksilver, Volcom, Billabong, Vans, Nike, Roxy, American Eagle, Old Navy, Gap, Mossimo, Adidas, Aeropostal, Hurley, Abercrombie, Tommy, Hollister and lots more... Reach me on my cel. # 09202631567
Hi! Great blog, by the way. Like most Filipinos, I'm also an ukay fanatic. I don't even mind the smell. Got used to it, I guess. Hehehe. I rarely buy the ones with the designer labels, and you might as why. I know that one of the reasons why Filipinos buy ukay is because we can "easily" stumble upon designer labels that normally would hurt our pockets just to even consider buying. It is just that I usually go for the style. I even patiently "ukay" the mounds of clothing just to find the perfect piece for my outfit. And I'm not even talking about the selected ones, the ones they hang on hangers. I've heard from a friend that Davao is the new bagsakan of ukay goodies. It used to be Zamboanga, but because of the conflict, ukay sellers opted to sell their gooodies here in Davao. Since I'm from that lucky city and work near the main "ukay palengke" here in Davao, I get to visit it often. In fact, I might just go there at the end of my shift tomorrow. Hehehe
oh my god... in malate? sige, if i get back there and i get a chance, i'll go there... ang alam ko lang kasi is cubao, divi and maclaran eh.... gusto ko ring pumunta ng baguio coz i heard there are great finds there... :) dito sa davao, the best places to go bargain hunting is in uyanguren (sa tabi-tabi ng china town), claveria, pinay bigsister, bankerohan and sa dona segunda (if you're into the prewashed, selected variety and kung ayaw mong makipagbunuan sa limpak limpak na mga kapwa bargain hunters from all walks of life... aircon na rin xa so hindi ka pagpapawisan... kaso, medyo pricey na nga xa)
hi..I love your posts.I'm also a big,big fan of ukay.I have a lot of dresses and skirts that I've found in ukay-ukay in ayala-mrt station.saan ba may magagandang ukay-ukay ng shoes,lalo na size ng paa ko.size 10 po ako...thanks!
hello..wow!!i am really amazed on how u guys being an ukay addict...as a matter of fact i am too!and since u are really a fan of it please help me find a wholesale/retail selected ukays in which i can probably shop.Hoping for your immediate reply.I am opening an ukay business asap and counting so much on your help.Your opinion and suggestions really matter.Location in cebu matters most,please email me on arhl36@yahoo.com
you know i dont like ukay because it says in my self that im very cheap and my friends know me that im sosyallista my when im stilln a child and we are poor so my mother ussually buys a ukay ukay clothe for us and idont when i grown up id saw this website and tried to order then i said to myself na i will not enjoy this company with ukay ukay and then when i got my order it is beautiful
Everyone is trying to save a few pesos these days and this is a good place to start. Philippine Bargains blog http://philippinestuff.wordpress.com/ You will be amazed at the bargains you will find.
im an ukay ukay lover to.so what if my outfit is from ukay?anyway,hindi naman sila nagbibigay ng pambili right?besides,ukay's fits to my budget having 2 kids..hehe
Hey, me too! I super love ukay-ukay! fits for my budget as a 15yr. old student! =D and yeah, who cares if it's from ukay? they're just jealous coz' we bought it for just P50 or above and it's so BEAUTIFUL andddd cute =D
hi im one of avid fans of ukay-ukay here in taytay rizal coz it is imporetd na cheapest and affordable pa.
my family and i are moving out of the philippines (we studied college there) in a couple of weeks... we have a lot of clothes we want to sell (none of which were bought in the philippines)... do you girls know where we can sell them? we're leaving by april 10...
we have a lot of clothes that have been used at most once or twice and we don't really wanna bring them back to saudi arabia so if you're interested in buying, text me 09192880180 for more details... thanks!^^
hi..thank you for impressing a lot of people out there..about ukay ukay..adik din ako sometimes kahit pawisan sa paghahanap ng mga lowest prices but eye catching na mga dresses and clothes fulfilling naman when you've got to received an approval from people around you without asking; "how much?" and "where did you buy that?" god bless and more power :)
as for me im an avid fan of ukay ukay also a year ago when i was in saudi arabia may ukay ukay din don at maraming pilipino ang namimili don its beautiful at cheap pa naka kuha pa nga ako ng cp some of my friends cash at jewelry wala naman masama mag ukay ukay what is wrong for as long as pera mo naman yong ginagastos mo right. at ngayon balik pinas na ako ukay ukay pa rin ako pumupunta .
ukay2 is such a great help for me, with just a few pesos i was able to establish my wardrobe, brands such as marks and spencer, mango, tommy, esprit etc are now within my reach, i was also able to buy salvatorre feragamo bag, nine west bag and miumiu shoes. wow! since then i bacame an ukay2 addict
I used to be a tshirt, jeans & sneakers type of girl. I wasn't comfortable wearing skirts before. Then I moved to Singapore and worked there for a while tapos I went back to Manila. When I was in Singapore, natuto ako manamit. People there are so fashionable. Nahawa ako. I'd usually go to Topshop to check out the latest items then I'd go to Bugis Street (their version of Greenhills) because seriously, I'm not going to spend a lot of money on clothes. Why buy in Topshop when I can go to Bugis Street instead and get a cuter, cheaper alternative there? Or sometimes I buy at Cotton On. It's an Australian brand [http://www.cottonon.com.au] and whenever they have a sale, it's crazy. Ganun din, may items sa Topshop na pwede mo mabili sa Cotton On. So yun, I went back to Manila and felt sad kasi saan na ako ulit mamimili ng cute clothes. I hate the fact na most "fashionistas" (or what they think of themselves) usually buy their clothes at Topshop, Zara or Mango. Come on. "Fashion" ka na kasi namimili ka dun? Tsss.
Tapos naalala ko namimili nga pala ako sa ukay when I was in college. I discovered 2 ukay outlets near the place where I live. The best ukay item I ever bought is a Marc Jacobs denim blazer for PHP120 only! Lumalabas na mga USD3 lang sya! It's the real deal. I saw it online. Original price daw USD300 = around PHP14,000. Most of my office attire (cardigans & skirts) sa ukay ko binibili and I get compliments. I'm not ashamed of saying I got it from the ukay. Depende naman sa nagdadala yun diba? Naka branded ka nga, kung hindi mo naman carry. :-)
Hi, I go for ukay-ukay too.. Kasi sa 1,000 madami ka nang mabibili.. designer clothes pa! kung sa mall 1,000 baka isang pantalon lang yan and hindi pa ganun ka branded.. we Filipinos should be practical na. Eh ano ngayon kung used clothes? Ang mga brand new naman nagiging used na rin kung ngamit mo na! :) At saka pag naka tiempo ka pa, meron pa mga bago sa ukay2 and the price difference sa mall is a lot! Kaya i go for ukay-ukay for my work outfits and for casuals. Pero not undies. Hehehe
i have an ukay ukay business in taytay rizal and im looking for a supplier.....09077004533
dapat nitong mga ukay ukay ipasara lahat, di naman yan nagbabayad ng buwis, kayo nmang mahilig sa ukay isipin nyo rin ang epekto nito sa mga manufacturers na marunong na talagang sumunod sa batas, hindi lang puro pansarili nyo iniisip nyo, makasuot lang ng designer clothes ang saya saya na.
hi there ukayin_mo_mukha_mo.. Don't be so rude, if ukay stuff gives simple joys in life, then there's nothing wrong with it. It's not just about wearing the designer clothes but also about being practical.
oo madami nga dun hehe
hello ukay addict! can i join the club? hoho i lalalaLOVE ukay treasures. since first year college i was already hooked by ukay unique finds and until now im already 25 gnun p din adik s ukay. great blog! pakiramdm ko ako nagsulat ng blog m hehe parehas tyo ng experience. weird pero share ko lang evrytime i go to ukay stores, (nako dear, naghhnap nko ng CR! sumasakit chan ko!) pero GO! lalaban tyo haha makahanap lng ng unique hidden treasures na yan! even valued clients s bank na ooverwhelm s dress ko tpos pg cnabi ko ukay un nkoh most of rich people ukay queens din pla. =) for those who are against ukay, hmp im sure dka pa nkapunta s ukayan or wla kang dugong fashionista!! hehe dear explore paminsan minsan, WALANG UKAYANG NAKAMAMATAY! Apir!
i need coats and winter boots, san po kaya ang best place to get these? i haven't seen really good ones e :((
help meee!! :)
hi. thanks for your 'confessions'. i love discovering great finds sa ukay-ukay, pero minsan lang ako lucky since maliit ang frame ko. i was able to buy a black jacket from this site closetta.multiply.com. baka may makita kayong okay sa inyo. pre-loved items din sila na galing sa trusted friends. :)
may i ask if how much the ukay2x shoes per bundle?
thank you and if it is ok for you to send my e-mail ito poh e-mail ko chengel.marcillones8@gmail.com ,,,
God bless
love this blog.. fells like im reading my own story.. gujab
@ ukayin mo mukha mo, may mga advantages naman ang ukay hindi lng dahil sa mga brands ang daming Filipino na hindi maka afford ng damit but through ukay ang mga mahihirap maka ka afford ng desentng damit at makanili na ng damit kahit papano...
for me brand is not really that important.. coz its not what you wear, its how you wear it.. & plus na lang cguro kung branded pa ung item... jackpot d b?? sana hindi matuloy ung tax for the ukay-ukays.. f that happens.. hindi naman pwede i-level ung price ng UKay2x sa mga local brands na bago..
i love ukay hunting too! dami ko na rin nakita branded clothes for less. kahit talaga ung ibang mayaman at fashionista naguukay - hello kahit nga yung mga taga europe may mga consignment shops sila dahil second hand clothes are nice talaga these days dahil marami ng tao mahilig sa vintage. :) share nyo san ang best places to go hunting... sakin sa cubao and iloilo :)
I love your blog. read it. Likewise, i love ukay ukay too. And just this aftie, i both a marc jacobs bag for 200p.super happy =)
Go ukay2x, i found lots of great finds less than Rm10 in ukay2x. Love them!
I’m an Ukay addict myself! I just moved to Davao and I’m Ukay-ing this weekend. Any particular place you can suggest, especially for bags? :)
hi! i'm on my 8months pregnancy, most of my dress right now are coming from ukay-ukay... mahal ang mga maternity clothes especially if its not on sale tapos after ng pregnancy hindi na magagamit lalo na qng mbilis magloose weight.. i'm just being practical.. saka hindi rin nmn out of date ang dmit sa ukay-ukay :)
got zara, m&s, m.kors,nine west,mng blouses and skirts from ukay for only 120 pesos each.
Naghahanap ako ng seller sa pinas, I can ship all over the philippines. Kung gusto nyo ng information, please email me at JTJboloservices@gmail.com
I have access to all name brands from A&F, Tommy, Hollister, Old Navy, Levis, Nike, Adidas, etc.
Hi! We both have the same love for Ukay-ukay clothes. I also have sellers who text me if it's 'New Arrival' day for them.
Hope you could also browse my blog. I post practical fashion tips, food and travel. ;)
confessions of a practical fashionista
I had been living in Taguig for 5 years and I just discovered that there are Ukay stores here 3 months ago. I am just a teenager so my mom is the one who is giving me cash for my shopping expenses and such, and mind you I am really into classy-youthful-branded fashion pieces and ideas but then ukay-ukay stores taught me another view of being a fashionista and that is PRACTICALITY.
Through the discovery of these, I had indulged, and learnt. I hope to go to other ukay-ukay stores! Spread the love of fashion!
Also, I like the fact that ukay-ukay is a place for everyone: for men, women, children, etc. My best fashion find was Dolce and Gabbana Jacket only for Php 200! :D
Though you also have to be careful because some are just putting fake items, especially with bags on their shelves/ stores and put a high price decieving you with the aunthencity.. Just a word of advice there, hehe.
i'm also a huge fan of ukay-ukay! some people may think it's quite yucky to go to a place like such, but it's really not. in my place (novaliches area), i go to an ukay-ukay store which is really organized and the clothes/shoes aren't damaged at all. i bought shoes from Staccato, Joy&Peace, jackets from G200, tees from Nike, GAP, Banana Republic and they're all in good condition! It's like I already purchased it fresh from the mall. For me, I'm just being practical because in this crucial time wherein everything's too expensive, I don't want to sacrifice my taste in fashion and besides, I'm still on my 20's and I want to show my fashionable side without looking trying hard. Imagine, I bought two pair of shoes, 1 jacket and 6 blouses with just 800! And you just have to be really patient when it comes to "paghuhukay" ng mga damit kasi you'd really be amazed when you find something really unique and classic, something that you can wear over and over again and do some layering with clothes and it'll never look cheap!
I admit that before, I keep on buying at department stores and high-end stores such as Zara and Forever 21 but sadly, lumaki lang utang ko sa credit card and na-realize ko na wala na akong pambili ng mga basic needs ko. ;-( So thanks to ukay-ukay because I get to be fashionable and still, may budget pa rin ako for other basic needs!
im a super ukay ukay addict :D anybody here who can tell me where can i buy a box of ukay in cebu pls contact me at aileen07@gmail.com thank you :)
Im just wondering.. really wanted to go to some ukay2 places here in cebu.. which and where exactly can i find nice ukay2 stuff? .. they say near cduh or colon., but colon's toooo big.. tried going there and ended up being lost in the crowd,. Please help.. im really dying to find a cute pair of knee length leather boots. thank you :)
Im an addict ukayukay buyer also,,and now were trying to start a small ukayukay shop im looking for a ukayukay dealer/supplier which is wholesaler,,if u have pls send me ur number or email me here,, annjae_7380idak24@yahoo.com..
Thanks.
Joan
Thanks to all ukay ukay shoppers. My wife change her dress style by shopping class second hand in the USA. Her co-workers are wondering where she get all her money buying all this expensive bags, dress, suits and shoes because she looks very beautiful and attractive with all this expensive used designer and brandname products that an average employee who earn 60K dollars per year can afford this expensive brandnew products. Expensive products eventhough are used are better than buying brandnew from China. God Bless Ukay Ukay shoppers and sellers.
just bought an A&F khaki pants for just P20...
so happy!!
hi i have an ukay ukay here in bulacan. we have many branded clothes, some are fresh with tags at only 80 pesos (max). the cheapest we have is worth 15 pesos (these are branded tank tops and sleeveless tops). branded denim and cargo shorts are from 80-200 only. please text 0906 538 07 05 if you'd like to visit. along the hi-way and 1 ride from sm fairview.
i love ukay ukay. . .
i love ukay ukay. . .
You can find some items at my shop. Feel free to drop by..ukayukaycentral.blogspot.com
I agree with UKAYIN MO - we're helping bring down our country by patronizing the non-tax-paying ukay ukay vendors and making it difficult for legit manufacturers and sellers. It's also affecting employment - less legit sales, less legit employees.
hi to "ukayin_mo_mukha_mo " ( please find) well darling sa bansang maralitang tulad ng pinas sorry ka na lang kung naglipana ang ukay ukay stores at ukay ukay lovers tulad namin , lets accept the fact that more are getting hooked on this type of treasure hunting...its what you called passion for good clothing...san mu naman kami gustong tumangkilik? sa tiangge na ang mamahal pero hindi naman kalidad ang binebenta? kung gusto mo na itigil namin ang ganitong kalakaran edi magtayo ka ng negosyong RTW na branded ang items na low priced baka sakaling bumili kami sayo ...nuh ba ? bulag bulagan?? hello...hindi na bago ito ...
hi i also love ukay ukay.. i already bought more than 10 branded and designer bags.. most of them were slightly used such as gucci, dkny, ysl, esprit, elle... some of my shoes were from ukay ukay, they are so cute.. and designs were unique and u can't even find the same in high-class malls. the best find i ever had was my Versace classic creme blazer, bought it for just 280!!!
txt me naman wer can i get a cheaper ukay; hirs my number 09331157211
PLS TXT ME JUST WANT TO BUY A CHEAPER ONE. HERE KASE IS VERRY MUCH HIGHER PRICE. I LOVE AMERICAN EAGLE;HOLLISTER;
YEP! TOTALLY AGREE!!!! you have no idea how many friends i have who are wealthy (literal wealthy ang mga ito... owning several businesses, buildings etc)who enjoys ukay2x...praktikalan lang kung baga... aside sa quality, let's just all admit it... we're also buying the brands...saka hindi masama sa loob mo pag namantsahan... hahahaha! patyagaan lang ng paghahanap... i don't salivate on buying those gaps, u2, old navy but i do have tons of them (i buy 'em basta me tag pa, sticker at bago ang tela...meaning un-used at charity lang). what i really look for are clothing coming from Japan, Italy, Austria, Australia, France, Spain kasi magaganda ang quality... (ok lang din Made in Philippines, China depende sa tela)malalaman mo naman ang pumasa sa quality control... ilang taon na buhay na buhay pa rin at hindi nagfe-fade at makapal ang tela PLUS wala kang makakasalubong sa mall na magkapareho kayo ng suot (though it really doesn't matter...weird lang). i evade those US cotton brands kasi naghihimulmol sayang lang. Haha! natutuwa ako kasi madami na tayong mahihilig... pag pumunta kayo sa aparador ko (15'x 15' x 5')... name the brands.. from Kenzo,Oscar dela Renta to the average Abercrombie... malulula ka... siguro kung binili ko sa mall yun laman ng aparador ko malulula ako sa presyo... buti na lang me ukay2x :D ---
thats true... u know when u buy product from the mall na kagaya ng tatak n nabili sa ukay.. malulula ka talaga sa price.. but when u buy it from ikay its more cheaper db.. kya ung mga nagcocondemn about buyind ukay there are realy weird.. or because theyre simply have o lot of money that we dont have...so to my fellow ukayukay fans... congrats we made the right choice.....
hi anyone know where can i buy baby clothes ukay ukay near in caloocan?
fren.. just go bamban near divisoria.. thers a lot of ukuyukay baby clotches there.. theyre realy good quality.. when i go there i can believe that there are more cheaper price than other store here in pampanga... you can buy also hollister.abercrombie.aeropostale.in good quality..
Fashion is my world. And I have one principle.. im not very particular with the brand.. I choose comfy and worthy! :) UKAY-UKAY rocks! Its a good way of being in fashion.. a nice way of making your own statement.. in a very affordable price! :) So what kung ukay? Hindi mo naman sinusuot yung brand new branded clothes mo with their tags right? :) UKAY IS LOVEEE! :)
sun goddess 4 years ago
Glad to have stumbled upon your blog... :) mahilig din kasi ako sa ukay2x... Imagine, nakabili ako ng knee high stilleto boots for P250.... I saw one in the mall sold for like... P1,500... and it's not even that cute... :)
Great blog by the way... :)