If the US has the Salvation Army and goodwill stores for recessionistas to thrift shop, our own local version is fondly called ukay-ukay shopping. Recession or not, this has been a known practice for those fashionistas on the prowl for individuality, love for vintage and all-around style kick unique to fashion finds in such stores. It just doesn’t hurt that you end up saving a buck or two.

Most are enamoured to ukay-ukay shopping, seeing that it does offer unique fashion treasures at an incredibly low price; making a single trip worthwhile, however, some can only take so much dust and clutter to consider making it a regular thing. Not only that, sometimes, it’s even hard to find the best places to shop. They’re, mostly, not comfortably situated in a/c’d malls or even areas where parking’s a breeze. Obstacles, obstacles.

But what if someone brings you awesome ukay-ukay finds at a much, MUCH better shopping environment?

Seasoned ukay shopper Lauren Dado of Ukay Manila does just that as she opens the doors of The Ukay Manila Store.

You can now shop for fabulous — most are one-of-a-kind, mind you! — tops, dresses, skirts, and even shoes without leaving the comforts of your own home!

Few of the things I like about shopping at The Ukay Manila Store (apart from the fantastic selection, of course!):

• It uses a shopping cart! (Tres professional!)
• She accepts Paypal! (along with other payment options like BDO bank deposit and GCash)
• Weekly updates on product selections (new arrivals every Wednesday!)
• Love, love, love the product blurbs
• FAQs are pretty darn useful (it answers most of the standard questions a shopper would ask)
• PLUS you can request for a specific item if you want!

Few features I would like to see in the online store are the transaction history and a way to check the order status. I’d also appreciate it if creating/registering for an account will allow me to keep certain information, update it if necessary, plus taking away the trouble of having to type billing/shipping information with every transaction.

Anyway, I actually wanted to start shopping before I started writing this post cuz I loved the Lacy Green Flats which she blogged about a while back but it’s a darn shame it’s only a size 5 and the Floral Seagreen Summer Dress but it’s already sold. What luck, eh? BUT I did end up buying a couple of things before I finished writing this post. Yes, I just couldn’t resist. LOL. I’ll definitely feature them as soon as my order arrives. Yay!

So, for you folks who are interested to do a little ukay-ukay (easy-on-the-pocket) shopping then go visit The Ukay Manila Store!

Images: ukaymanilastore.multiply.com | store.ukaymanila.com