[top photo: Wholesale market at the Beijing Zoo Commercial Zone]
Platinum Mall
Bangkok, Thailand
www.platinumfashionmall.com
Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am - 9pm
Directions: Exit BTS Skytrain station Chit Lom and head to Petchaburi Soi 21 (opposite Pratunam Complex), about 10 minutes away
The lowdown: A relatively new shopping centre, Platinum Fashion Mall is likened to Chatuchak market, except it's air-conditioned. With five floors of long winding walkways, most of the stores are small and crammed with wares, so expect to do some digging to find what you like. Dedicated to disposable fashion, you'll find maxi dresses, oversize tunics, studded sandals, patent leather heels, designer-inspired bags, accessories, belts and maternity wear - but don't expect top quality stuff. There are no fitting rooms and there's no trying before buying, so you'll have to do some guesswork involved. But at such low prices, who's complaining. With more than 1,500 shops, you'll need at least two days to trawl the mall.
Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Area
Taipei, Taiwan
www.wufenpu.com.tw
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon to midnight
Directions: Take the Bannan (Banqiao-Nangang) Line to Houshanpi Station (Exit 4) and walk along Yongji Street to the corner of Zhongpo North Road
The lowdown: Wufenpu offers the latest fashion trends at some of the lowest prices in Taipei. The bustling wholesale garment district, which is seven times the size of Bugis Village, houses over 1,000 little shops selling trendy clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. New stock arrives twice a week, mostly from Korea and Hong Kong, although you'll also find pieces from Japan and local designers.
Qipu Lu Clothing Market
Shanghai, China
Opening hours: Daily, 6.30am - 6pm
Directions: Take Metro Line No. 2 to Nanjing Road E, then it's about 15 minutes away on foot
The lowdown: With a reputation as Shanghai's "cheap road", Qipu Lu comprises three multistorey buildings crammed with tiny stores no bigger than 130 sq ft. As you make your way through the shops, keep a lookout for bargains among the seasonal clothes, bags and shoes. From jackets to scarves, shades and wigs, you'll find them all here - and going for a steal too! A lot of the small shops along the streets of Shanghai get their stock from Qipu Lu - what they do is trim off the loose threads before slapping on their own labels. Sizes tend to be on the small side so anyone above a UK 12 will have trouble finding items that fit.
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