Bangkok Shopping for Tweens by Cynthia Rosenfeld
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The Thai capital is also its shopping Mecca. All too often however, Bangkok visitors fall prey to scam artist tuk-tuk drivers and tour guides on the payroll of second rate gem factories. Avoid such hassles by hopping on the speedy Skytrain, by far the safest and most reliable route around town.
Alight at the Siam stop which is also the Skytrain’s transit station. Follow the flow to Central World shopping centre, newly renovated to the seemingly overwhelming satisfaction of Thai shoppers. Big international brands fill the shiny storefronts but don’t overlook Monkey See (Central World, 3/F), an emerging Thai label inspired by second hand style. Super soft, pre-shrunk tees silk screened with Hawaiian palms or the signature monkey face look classic and cool atop unisex cargo pants or for ladies with lovely limbs, itsy bitsy retro stripe corduroy shorts.
More micro style can be found across Rama I Road among the alleys of Siam Square. At Cookies & Cream (Siam Square, Soi 3), denim skirts and sexy satin dress shorts are interspersed among ultra girly cotton dresses in floral prints and ruffled blouses of sheer silk.
Watch your step to avoid stumbling over piles of colourful clothes at It Happened To Be A Closet (#226 Siam Square Soi 3). Hung on the walls like the works of art they really are, Indian embroidered dresses and weighty Central Asian skirts may be above most budgets but their awesome needlework should evoke creativity in all.
Head upstairs for polka dot shift dresses, pouf skirts and cropped sweater shrugs woven with this season’s metallic threads. The groove goes Himalayan nearby at the incense scented Issue (#266/10 Siam Square Soi 3) where Mongolian blankets are re-cut as fitted blazers. Barely there pleated satin miniskirts and lace up Roman gladiator sandals in of the moment metallic silver leather work for summer in the city while the pretty Mexican embroidered beach cover-ups call out to be worn with bare feet in the soft sand.
Take a well deserved break upstairs at Vanilla Industry (422/1-3 Siam Square Soi 11) which is actually best known for its delicious chocolate treats. Once revived, grab some of their signature brownies to go or the distinctly less sinful chocolate scented hand cream. Head back towards Rama I to duck into Ferrie Fabbies (#292/3 Siam Square Soi 4), a four story mini-emporium featuring affordably adorable Nepali dresses and unexpectedly preppy linen shorts alongside funky beaded necklaces meant to be worn in twos and threes. Head up another flight for the nail spa and for those who dare, there’s a tanning booth on top.
Catch the escalator to the overpass back across Rama I and into Siam Center where designer Duangta Nantakwang creates some of the most wearable, stylish frocks on the Bangkok scene at Baking Soda (Siam Center, 3/F). This season’s poof skirts printed with vibrant flowers get paired with body hugging tees and tank tops dressed up with sparkles at the neck.
Delightful dresses hang from faux deer heads and for those wanting to add edge to their wardrobe the skull and crossbones theme scarves are still decidedly pretty. Nip next door into Senada (Siam Center, 3/F) for dreamy cap sleeve silk dresses or bubble skirts in dusty pink and sea foam green, all surrounding the store’s centrepiece, a vintage Mini Cooper car in baby blue.