Ukay-ukay in the Philippines
By jralivio511
@jralivio511 (480)
Philippines
April 28, 2009 5:27am CST
Did you ever think of wearing clothes or shoes that is not brand new or already used by the first hand user? Well, I haven't plan of even trying it, before. But nowadays, some clothes are not worth enough to but. Some texture are from cheap raw materials and can easily broken with several washing. If you plan to buy a good one. You really should invest on that clothes or shoes. It is expensive. When ukay-ukay came to the Philippines, most Filipinos turn on to it. Aside from that it is affordable. Some styles are unique and from branded signatures. Most of my clothes came from ukay-ukay and my friends usually adore my clothes.
3 people like this
24 responses
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
when i was kid, most of my clothes were hand-me-downs from my 4 older sisters. so it has never been an issue for me to wear a second-hand clothing. i have been to countless of "SALE" in malls before but i've only been able to visit an ukay-ukay store once. nothing against it except that i can't shop in the heat. the one ukay-ukay i visited with my sister is airconditioned that's why i went. she is really fond of going to ukay-ukays because of the unique finds she can get. even if she is actually rich in my standard, she still favors ukay-ukay to more expensive shops.
nowadays i don't get to do a lot of shopping for clothes except to buy underwear regularly. souvenir shirts from places i visit or any of my siblings keep me casually clothed. and as for other items of clothing, i have a sister whose office is located beside a mall and she gets me stuff whenever i need them.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Good for you. Hope to have siblings like yours. I am only child and hand-me-down items are not on my lists but for sure I'll treasure those items if someone give something to me. Wearing a second hand clothes is not an issue to me anymore.
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
we still practice the hand-me-down tradition with my nephews and nieces. it's really expensive to have kids properly clothed when they grow practically everyday. some of their shirts wouldn't last a month because they've become taller. so it isn't practical to buy them expensive clothes that they would only wear a few times.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
You're tradition is a wiser choice. Kids have variety of clothes and needs to be change every time they are wet for various daily activities like playing. I think we Filipinos are popular with hand-me-down tradition.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Yes, I've been to Baguio and that place was amazing. It is a market intended for ukay-ukay and branded products. Another thing when you buy a ukay-ukay is you don't have to worry if you try to dry it outside your house. There were times that someone took my pants because it was a levis but I just bought it from Ukay-ukay for 350 pesos only.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
I am from Makati City. There was an air conditioned place along Gil Puyat that I usually bought my clothes but recently it was demolish. I have no idea why. I'm still looking for store again. Do you know a place?
@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
29 Apr 09
that is exactly right I can agree with you. When I was yet in the Philippines, I am a fan of the Ukay-ukay.. From clothes to bags and shoes. You are truly right that the ukay-ukay are in good quality than the local brand new items in the store. When I arrived in the States, I do the same thing.. hahahah there are lots of thrift stores here who are selling second hand items.. not all second hand some are still brand new from the stores that don't sell them and they donated it to the thrift stores. Some of it have price tags still. Well, there are also branded items in the stores when they have clearance sales but the price is not the same as that from the thrift stores.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
Thank you for sharing. There were some scenes, in hollywood movies, in a store like ukay-ukay here in the Philippines. Buyer use cart while shopping and it means that people really trying to keep using those items that are usuable and it helps to save our mother earth, right?
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
yes i do buy ukay ukay. it is branded, it is a matter of budgetting for me, plus there is nothing wrong with using clothes that are hand downs:D
@minniemadz (499)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
I don't know, but I'm really not into ukay ukay clothes. Well, I just felt that it is already unloved by the person who originally owned it, so why would I love it? Well, that's for my personal view.
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
2 May 09
I have a collection of designer fashion shows.Most of their designs are the same, only with different color or print.while watching,I always think I could find something like that,or much better, from ukay ukay.most of my timeless items are from ukay ukays.branded clothes are fine with me, but I get a different kind happiness when I find something unique in ukay ukay that fits me exactly.I believe the adage,"one person's trash is another man's treasure" applies here.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
16 May 09
"One person trash is another man's treasure". Thank you for sharing that quote. You are perfectly right.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
28 Apr 09
i don't think that there is anything wrong in getting second hand clothes nowadays... especially with economy like this... i'm not from philippines... so i haven't heard about ukay-ukay before... but here, i usually buy my clothes from direct factory outlet where the prices are discounted and cheaper than in the shopping centre... take care and have a nice day...
@marymarj2002 (1769)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
I think the price of the clothes is not important as long as you look good and you are fabulous on the clothes and it fits well then it's best for you. I also have cheap clothes some are from ukay ukay also and they are also nice and I like them also.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
It's all about creativity and showing who you really are. Wearing clothes are ones personality and people will remember you on how dress up in a unique ways sometimes.
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
Of course, I admit i already wear ukay ukay clothes because my
sister always buy those. Everytime she found a unique t-shirt
she will buy it for me. I don't mind wearing used clothing as
long that they are clean and is in good quality.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
Maybe we should create an alias with those people who love ukay-ukay items. Any idea? It would be fun.
@longgee (137)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I actually like buying to ukay ukay since they are cheap and at the same time branded. I can say that my clothes are always branded and sometimes, i can't buy a new one since still have no money so i turn to ukay ukay. But i will not use the clothes that i bought in ukay unless i have washed and disinfected it for several times...^_^
@kingpong (166)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Yes i did! i went to baguio two weeks ago and i forgot to bring with me a jacket or some long sleeves. so i ended buying ukay ukay long sleeves. andd yes i was not able to wash it before wearing it. but who cares, everybody is wearing ukay in baguio anyway...
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
lol. who cares you didn't wash that jacket... But you still have to wash it before you used it. There were some people who tried that jacket and it was still touched the skin of that person. Gladly you didn't suffer any skin rashes or something.
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Almost all of my clothes are bought from ukay-ukays.I'm not ashamed to admit I'm addicted to secondhand clothes and vintage shopping.I get a different kind of "high" when I find something really cute,wearable, and in good condition in my size.it beats buying at malls because I am the only one with that special piece.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
The best I love about ukay-ukay's products is the uniqueness. People would be more interested on where did you bought a certain product than how much did you bought for it when they saw you wearing that particular item.
@kryzell (921)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
i like buying pre-loved clothes. it fits my budget, and if very keen with choosing, you get to buy good quality clothes. Also, there's less chances of meeting someone wearing the same clothes i am wearing :-)
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
"Pre-loved Clothes" really fits ones budget. I have friend who saw my pants that I bought from ukay-ukay and the next day she ask me if she could let me give that pants to her. I bought it for a cheap price so I've decided to gave it to her. She was very happy that time and I'm glad of it.
@zzyw87 (1254)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
I haven't worn or bought any secondhand clothes from ukay-ukays. Actually, I haven't been to any ukay-ukay yet though I want to. The reason I don't want to go inside ukay-ukays is because it is hot inside and they smell. My nose is very sensitive to these kinds of things. So I thought I would not be able to enjoy shopping here. But I am curious if ukay-ukays are really as good as people said, because my friends tell me that they are able to find nice and branded things in these stores. You just have to have patience.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
Yes the smell is not really plus the fact that most ukay-ukay are not air conditioned. If I am planning to go on that place, I really have to bring a towel and water just in case. You should try it. There's no harm in trying.
@cheenlly (3477)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I absolutely agree with you that nowadays the quality of clothes are of no good as mostly manufacturer used cheap raw materials. I prefer ukay-ukay than those of no quality clothes nowadays. I wear ukay-ukay myself. I visit a ukay-ukay shop once a week and look for new arrival. Most of the clothes i've always choose is not even used and of good quality. Its better to be frugal nowadays for us to survive. Personally i don't see anything wrong with buying ukay-ukay. In fact it is clever thing to do nowadays.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Very well said. One tip. You said that you visit a ukay-ukay once a week. Try to observe when several box are on the side of the room. And they on sale-discount. Try to visit again the next day and you might be the first one who will get the better items.
@mods196621 (3652)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I love to buy in ukay ukay too. You're right those things in ukay is cheap and I save a lot of money compared to buy new one into a branded store. As of today trend here in the philippines buying in ukay is a big help to all Pilipinos who want to save their bucks of money. There is nothing wrong in buying those dresses in ukay for we know we can save a lot and for sure we gonna use our money into another thing which is important into our daily lives. Ukay is good!
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Yes, you're right . With all the recession around the world. You really seem one of the affected. I am unemployed right now and every time I am having a window shopping in malls and I like a certain clothes. I would ask myself. "With this worth, I could buy three items from ukay-ukay."
@taki_takaishi (1279)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I buy some clothes there. They are very cheap though. They do have some clothes that you can't usually find in the Department store. hehehe.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I am not really familiar with branded signatures. For me, some criteria in buying clothes at ukay-ukay are texture, color and uniqueness. And when I am doing a window shopping that's the only time that what I bought from ukay-ukay was a branded one.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
It seems you really have a budget for clothes. Good for you.
@tzaddi (395)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
i don't go to ukay-ukay here in the philippines. i don't like to buy used clothes and i think it has lost its quality. and i've never done it before. but i'd prefer buying brand new clothes. even though it's quite expensive, i think that it's worth the price.
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I respect that. Yes, you have a point that in buying expensive items, it's worth the price. I bought a nike back pack last week for one thousand six hundred pesos, on sale and its original price was two thousand six hundred ninety-five pesos. I think I will used it for a minimum of five years. My parents bought me a swatch watch year 1997 and until now I am using it, for almost 12 years. Expensive items are really worth it but one should have a budget for that.
@angelicwhisper (60)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Well, we are experiencing a global financial crisis, so buying and wearing used clothes are not actually reasons to be ashamed of. You are actually saving our world one ukay-ukay at a time. :3
@jralivio511 (480)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
Yes, you are right. By buying second-hand items. Raw materials are being keep on their shelves for the another item to make. It means natural resources are being kept as it is until they produce another resources. We really should promote those kind of tradition, right?
