shop_drop

as my time in korea is slowly but surely drawing nearer to its expiry date i feel like it's my active duty to share some of my hard earned shopping knowledge so others can compulsively shop like i did...or do.

for almost two years i've been dedicated to ensuring not a single mall or shopping zone in seoul be overlooked or unexamined. underground, above ground, on the street...i've seen it all! and touched it all! and tried it all! and tried not to buy it all.
so before i depart so i'll try to post my favourite places/deals. perhaps by passing on the knowledge i can also pass on the disease. and be at peace with myself and my chronically ailing bank account.

first a preview: vintage siamese cdg shirts (about 500,000won) sewn as one by korean label fleamadonna, found at ALAND in myeongdong.


with three locations, ALAND's myeongdong store is the ultimate 4 level emporium with something for everyone. literally. i’ve been there with every single one of my friends who all have different tastes and somehow everyone leaves with at least one of their sturdy brown paper bag (or three...i’m talking to YOU caro).

whether you are looking for new korean labels like fleamadonna, viva_h, le centaur, johnny hates jazz or well known imports like a.p.c. cheap mondays or april 77, the ground level shop lays it all out for you. one of a kind creations, experimental fabrics and silhouettes, this is defintiely the hub for upcoming/ prevailing trends.

for cheaper basics both in price and quality the basement floor is filled with cute print dresses, tees and piles and piles of jeggings. also handmade jewelry and headbands are aplenty though beware! the awesome chunky 3D metal rings with animals or buildings are imported from thailand and SOOOOooOO much cheaper there! so for a deal...buy a ticket to bangkok(?) im talking like 70% cheaper.

head upstairs and you will find stationary and knickknacks and tom shoes and above that….the fourth floor vintage section will assault your senses with neon brites and more polyester than mrs. doubtfire's entire wardrobe. the prices are decent but definitely not the best vintage prices in seoul. also the men's selection (first floor) is quite extensive....lots of interesting prints and well tailored basics to be found. once i contemplated buying a men's jersey blend jumpsuit but realized in fact, that i really just wanted to buy the model in the look book.

i feel better already. perhaps all it takes to cure shopaholic syndrome is to talk it out? photos of the actual store to come.

** also can i mention shop_drop is what my mother calls shoppers drugmart :-)