Finally, I have something to contribute for my weekend getaway section.
I just came back from a weekend in Kuala Lumpur, the nearest capital to Singapore. While Singaporeans generally head out to Bangkok and Hong Kong for their overseas shopping thrills, I didn’t have the luxury of time while planning for this trip. Right to the very last minute, my shopping partner and I weren’t even sure if we could leave work this week.
Other than hiccups with accomodation, shopping at Kuala Lumpur was relatively smooth, especially when we’d reach the malls. We only had time for two malls, since we only had effectively Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning to shop.
Hotel Recommendation
Novotel! I had a fabulous time there, and it is a short distance from KLCC. Do note that you’ll probably have to cab there unless you really like walking in harsh sunlight and busy traffic.
Suria KLCC – The KL Equivalent of Ngee Ann City
- How to Get There
By Cab! Please take note that transport is really quite a hassle, especially for me, since the cabbies generally tend to notice you are a tourist and try to give you upped rates. A journey that might take RM5 might be increased to RM25, since you wouldn’t know the market rate and the drivers tend not to run by the meter, at least in my experience.
- Luxury Brands
Luxury brands like LV, Chanel, Anya Hindmarch, Jimmy Choo, and Gucci could be found here. Basically this mall is the equivalent of Ngee Ann City for Singaporeans. Stepping in, everything is absolutely familiar – you have everything that you can find in Singapore there.
- Clothing Stores & Department Stores
For your clothing fix, you will realise that Mango, Zara, m)phosis, Topshop can easily be found. Department stores like Parkson and Isetan is also available for your choice of perfume counters and lingerie fix. Really, nothing that you cannot find in Singapore.
I bought a scarf in pink polka dots outlined in red from Country Road for RM41.40. It roughly translates to SGD18, which is sort of pricy for a scarf, but I reasoned it will be a worthy investment.
- Shoes
You’ll find that the usual shoe haunt for Singaporeans, Charles & Keith, isn’t there, but the Malaysian equivalent will easily be Vincci. In terms of quantity of design, Vincci can match the Singapore shoe mega-branch master, but in terms of quality, I think Charles & Keith definitely tops Vincci.
At least the runway inspired designs come out much faster for Charles & Keith. However, if strappy designs are right up your alley, then Vincci is the way to go. They must have had all the strappy designs of the world congregated in one store!
- Food
In between shopping you’ll find a good break at A&W, especially if you are curly-fries starved like me! Gulp down a nice root beer float, grab a huge packet of curly fries and that hot-dog thing they serve and you’ll be ready to run off shopping again. Don’t try the Dunkin Donuts if you’re really picky about good donuts, I didn’t particularly find them appealing.
Mid Valley – the KL Equivalent of Vivo City
- How to Get there:
By Cab. Note Above.
- Luxury Brands
Didn’t notice any, I think they didn’t have the big shots like Louis Vuitton or Chanel.
- Clothing Stores & Department Stores
I think they had one called Jusco if I remember correctly, and wandering inside it reminds me of Metro. Didn’t find anything inspiring there.
I made most of my purchases from this place, it had the usual Zara Mango Topshop pulls. Snapped up a dress and a formal skirt for work, and a steal of a long, pink scarf from the Mango sale. At RM19, it converts to only SGD8.30, and is really versatile since it is lightweight and long – suitable for both cold and warm weather.
- Shoes
As usual, you can find Vincci. Also noted was Eclipse, which had formal looking shoes. With the sale it was worth checking out, but eventually did not get anything from there. They also had NOSE if I remember correctly, which also had nothing for me. In a previous trip to Penang I bought the loveliest neutral roundtoed pumps from there which didn’t blister me at all, so I will still recommend the chain store.
Ultimately I purchased a gold-based rounded pair of heels with navy blue lace details, which was also quite a fabulous buy for me because I would love it if I saw it on someone else.
- Scents
Like on every trip, I tend to buy a scent. This time, upon my shopping partner’s recommendation, I snapped up a Crabtree and Evelyn traveller’s perfume roller. The Sarawak series isn’t available in Singapore, but it does give a citrus smell. I think it will be perfect for days when I rush out of the house late without putting on some perfume.
- Food
There is Kenny Rogers available, and I have to admit it is really value for money. At RM22 a meal, you get a quarter chicken, 3 side dishes, a muffin and a drink for less than SGD10.
If you’re looking for Chinese there is Crystal Jade Express available, which looks quite edible to me.
Other Malls
Try One Utama and Sungei Wang. These are malls I found recommendations of online. However, I haven’t been there personally so don’t take my word for it.
Conclusion
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur is exactly the same as shopping in Singapore, and I daresay Singapore is much, much better in terms of independent shops like the Ann Siang area. I know I haven’t been to their quirky shops (because I couldn’t find any recommendation on vintage shops or cute shops in KL online), but strictly comparing malls, I would say that the Orchard area in Singapore is far better. The Singapore malls are closer to each other, and can easily be reached on foot. In KL, you’ll need to take cabs to reach between the malls, since the good malls are far away from each other.
I doubt I will make a repeat visit, unless something major opens there like H&M or Uniqlo, which Singapore doesn’t have at the moment. If you are from somewhere with bad shopping, then perhaps you might consider Kuala Lumpur for an Asian shopping getaway.
9 Comments
August 13, 2007 at 1:25 am
Vincci is aka VNC in Singapore. All under Padini SDN BHD. The label, “Seed” is by them too I think….somebody was telling me.
August 13, 2007 at 1:44 am
Hello little fish! Yup I know about VNC, but I really haven’t visited the store since there are so many good shoe stores. Even the chain-store ones like Pazzion, Novo, Substance have above average designs sometimes, so VNC gets back on the to-go list for me.
August 13, 2007 at 1:50 am
awesome pic of the Petronas Towers.
August 13, 2007 at 4:42 pm
the reason malls are far away from each other is because the city is WAYYY bigger than Singapore.. u should make your way down to Bangsar Baru sometime – a lot more independent stores which stock a lot more interesting garb than what you would get at department stores!
August 14, 2007 at 2:43 am
yeah. i have to say places you go are mostly for tourists. If you are looking for independent shops, pay a visit to Jln Telawi and Bangsar Village II @ Bangsar. I love One Utama too! Sad to say not many tourists go there and most of the time, they only heard about KLC, Bintang Walk, Mid Valley and so on.
PS. I dont agree that Mid Valley is the KL Equivalent of Vivo City.
August 14, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Bangsar does have lots of nice little boutiques to look around in, and I find I prefer going to One Utama nowadays, since you can get everything, from the high-end brands to Zara and Mango.
For hotels, I highly recommend Mandarin Oriental (if you feel like splashing out, the breakfast buffet is wonderful!), which is right next to KLCC and The Ascott (good if you’re going together with some pals), which has serviced apartments.
PS Love the new look!
August 17, 2007 at 3:38 pm
hi-
Yes you missed all thee good places. I never go to the malls you mention. Those are for tourists!
I agree, head to head comparison, Orchard wins hands down. If I had to pick a mall, I’d choose One Utama over Midvalley or KLCC as there is more variety.
If you’re looking for quirky stuff, they are everywhere. Next time you need to pick up a few local mags issues, flip to the back to see where the fancy/interesting boutiques are located. There are many boutiques, local designers, local shoe designers about.
If not, I would try Bangsar area, many shops in the main streets and probably some less interesting ones in Bangsar Village shopping centre. 2nd choice- look at Sri Hartamas area which is the newer version of Bangsar. You have some great boutiques there that the local KL girls swear by (and Singaporeans sisters dont know about!)
Good luck next time! You’d find the prices are waay better than Singapore in such boutiques, only you need a trusty friend to drive you around. Cabs are a hassle, but you can always call for one. Comparatively cheaper rates than SG too. Just be carefu of the errant cabbies that hang around big shopping malls waiting to cut your throat.
August 20, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Yeah, everyone seems to have given you all the advice you need. I’m a Bangsar babe myself- having lived here most my life- and you really need to come to Bangsar the next time you’re here! (Telawi Street area) Jusco is horrible. You shouldn’t have wasted your time. But Mid Valley is opening a 2nd phase in September and it’s going to be lots better. Try shopping with a local the next time you’re here!
August 21, 2007 at 4:51 pm
and what’s with Kenny Rogers and Crystal Jade? So much more scrumptious food in Klang Valley….