So you have the fashion tastes of a tai-tai but not the credit card to match.  Never fear, June Ng show you where to dig for the deepest discounts.

Wo Ping Optical
For fabulous designer glasses on the cheap, there is no better option than the famed Wo Ping Optical Shop. This humble little North Point shop has been selling discounted designer specs for more than 30 years, and counts celebrities such as Sam Lee and Michael Wong among its customers. It is most famous for its huge cache of discontinued lines from brands such as Playboy, Monalise, Luxtottia, Guy Laroche, Christian Dior and Ray Ban. These Dior sunglasses (below, left) cost just $1,900 when you’d easily be paying over $3,000 in a regular store, while Guy Laroche styles (below, center) go for just $650. Ardent rummagers will even find some bona fide antiques among the many discontinued items, such as Alain Delon and Playboy Vintage(below, right).

If you’re not big into brand names, the shop also has a lot of stylish and retro plain frames selling from $200-$500. Why so cheap? The elderly owners of the shop own the property, meaning they don’t have to make up the rent. Be warned: the shop is packed over the weekend, so try to pick a quiet time to go.

278 King’s Rd., North Point, 2571-7810

Twist
Ever wonder why Twist on Wellington Street is so much cheaper than the big-brand boutiques that sell the same stuff? Because apparently importing them directly from Europe knocks an average of 15 percent off the price. But that discount is getting even steeper during a massive bargain sale starting on May 10, with brands such as Chloe, Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs at 30-50 percent off.

G1, M88 Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington St., Central, 2577-9323

Meyer
Last week you were a budding surfer and this week you’re a budding cook with a surfboard in the closet. Save yourself from overspending on your whimsical habits this time by visiting the Meyer outlet, which stocks Meyer products at 50-80 percent off. They’re overrun products from the factory, and they’re all brand-new, just like the ones in the department stores, but without the packaging.
 
1/F, Meyer Industrial Building, 380-382 Kwun Tong Rd., Kwun Tong, 2763-9313

May Fashion
May Fashion might look unassuming on the outside, tucked beside Cafe O on Queen’s Road under a nondescript sign, but there are some real gems within. Find a vintage Gucci bag lying at the bottom of the rack for $4,400, or a Marc Jacobs jacket for $650. But almost all of their items come in just one size, so it’s mostly down to luck whether you find something or not. It shares the floor with a jewelry shop called Hang Hing, which also sells diamond jewelry at a steep discount (almost half-price). Why? Well, the owner is a professional diamond-grader and can snag some really good-quality bargains from the nearby pawnshops. They’ll even issue you a diamond certificate upon request.

G/F, 282 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2581-2248

DiMi Fashion
DiMi is mainly a wholesaler and exporter to Europe and Japan, but they have some goods on offer in their showroom for a steal of a price – $100 for two items. It hasn’t been open for long, so it’s still a hidden gem in Central. As export goods go, the quality is pretty consistent.

Flat D, 5/F, Kai Fung Building, 189-205 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2815-5581

CD Special Economic Zone
Die-hard music and movie fans know that this is a treasure trove  for all their media needs. Although it’s a second-hand shop, they also offer brand-new items, and the second-hand products are all in pretty good shape. The price is definitely tempting: an Indiana Jones DVD box set for just $188, and Family Guy Season One and Two for $138 each. If you’re lucky, you can find some new CDs for just $68. But don’t expect a full collection; the shop sells what they can get hold of, so prepare to browse. And of course, they’ll also be happy buyers of all of your old Andy Williams records. 

Address: 1004, 10/F, Sino Centre, 582-592 Nathan Rd., Mong Kok
(to buy), 2770-7289;
B37, Basement Sino Centre, 582-592 Nathan Rd., Mong Kok (to sell), 
2770-7262, 2770-7262


Outdoor Depot
This shop offers fantastic bargains on quilted ski jackets (they go for around $600 each). Although they don’t really sell branded products, the fabric they use for the jacket is called Dermizax, which according to the sales associate is the same material used in Timberland’s outdoor jackets. They also have quick-drying sports clothes for under $100 and other travel gear as well.

16/F, Shopping Target, 596 Nathan Rd., Mong Kok, 2388-6915

Me & George
Me & George might look like a junk shop, but the little store is a sanctuary for lovers of
all things vintage – especially those who love finding a rare gem after a good rummage. Upon entering, you’ll be overwhelmed by heaps of shirts and dresses, many of which start
at just $10.

No. 9 Li Yuen St. West, Central

Outlet Shopping

The best spots for serious discounts
Designer and Formal Wear

Favour
403, 4/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder St., Central
Cocktail dresses, ball gowns and suits, all for under $500 a piece, and party tops for under $100.

Dickson Warehouse
Shop G08, Basement, Olympia Plaza, 243-355 King’s Rd., North Point
2681-1882
Polo Ralph Lauren, Escada, Laurel, Karl Lagerfeld and Brooks Brothers are some of the brands offered with at least a 20 percent mark down off original prices. As the Dickson Group owns Harvey Nichols as well, be sure to look out for some great discounts on last season’s collections.

Space
2/F, East Commercial Block, Marina Square, South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau, 2814-9576
Offers a 50-80 percent discount on high-fashion brands Prada and Miu Miu.

Sports and Casual Wear

Esprit
4-6 Hankow Rd., Kaiser Commercial Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2681-1882,
www.espirit.com
You’re bound to find what you’re looking for over two floors of bargain fashion. Enjoy a discount of up to 90 percent on clothes, shoes, accessories and even Red Earth cosmetics.
 
IT Sale Shop
Shop 72, 3/F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2377-9466
This outlet store for the I.T. fashion group stocks a range of hip brands, including Cacharel, Arnold Palmer and more, all at hugely reduced prices.

Levi’s
179A, Sai Yee St., Mongkok, 2907-0111
Get your Levi’s for less from this outlet shop. You can find women’s jeans from
$200 and men’s jeans from $300. Check out their shoes and accessories at a
discount of up to 50 percent.

Tanka
Shop G9 & G15, Provident Shopping Centre Arcade, 21-53 Wharf Rd., North Point, 2214-1088
An alternative for discounted sportswear like Adidas, New Balance, Puma,
Timberland and Salomon. Further discounts are available for bulk purchase.

Adidas
Flat J, 1/F, Phase II, Kaiser Estate, 51 Man Yue St., Hung Hom, 2364-9122/2793-2791
A lesser-known Adidas outlet, which means you can compete with fewer people for the real bargains.
Destination Malls
Big, bustling and bursting with bargains

Citygate
20 Tat Tung Rd., Tung Chung, Lantau
2109-2933, www.citygateoutlets.com.hk
It has an absolutely huge range of big-name outlet stores, including Vivienne Tam, Laura Ashley, Giordano, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and Joy and Peace. Also available are accessories and children’s wear. Get up to 70 percent off at a whole range of stores (including denim brand Seven For All Mankind.) There’s plenty of parking space and a cinema, too. Visit the website for a full listing of outlets.

Horizon Plaza
2 Wing Lee St., Ap Lei Chau
Though it’s best known as a haven for furniture and antiques, there are a few good discount stores here, too.

Pullux Discount Books (2101) Cheap reads, stocking both children’s and adult titles.

Bluebell Fashion Warehouse (10/F) Paul Smith and other European brands.
 
Lane Crawford Warehouse (25/F) Designer clothes and housewares by the luxury department store.

Max Mara Fashion Group Warehouse (27/F) Offers big discounts on Max Mara brands.

Joyce Warehouse (21/F) Items by Anna Sui, Vivienne Westwood, Giorgio Armani and more at 30-70 percent off retail prices. 

Replay (7/F) Denim, casual wear and accessories by the Italian brand at 50-80 percent off retail prices.