Lifestyle/ Travel & Leisure

Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets: thrift shop Me and George in Li Yuen Street West, Central

Amid the watch and bag stalls in Hong Kong’s famous ‘lanes’, a hidden gem sells cheap and very wearable second-hand clothing and accessories

Sarah Stamp

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Published: 1:00pm, 7 Sep, 2016

Updated: 3:44pm, 7 Sep, 2016

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Second-hand clothing on the racks at Me and George. Photos: Sarah Stamp

On your next shopping spree in Central, ditch the air-conditioned paradise that is The Landmark and take a sharp right turn into the lanes across the road from Zara. Wander past the endless stands of watches, jewellery and handbags on Li Yuen Street and you will find yourself at the entrance of a chaotic shop stuffed from floor to ceiling with authentic vintage clothing.

The boutique sells clothes imported from Japan and Europe, donated items and factory rejects from China. Downstairs, deals such as “three for HK$100” for dresses are not uncommon, and you’ll find a wealth of HK$5 tops and HK$30 shorts as well as a variety of skirts, handbags, ties and trousers.

Vintage and second-hand denim upstairs at George and Me.

Up a narrow staircase, a large collection of vintage jackets and knitted jumpers can be found, costing from HK$60 to HK$200. This collection is crammed closely with an abundance of designer shoes, denim wear, dungarees, patterned T-shirts and handbags.

It may take some digging to find worthy buys, but if you look hard enough you’ll find brands from the ’80s to the early 2000s such as Levi, Adidas or Louis Vuitton hidden among the endless rows of clothes.

The lanes, Central.

Although outfits cannot be tried on in the shop due to a lack of changing rooms, there are many full-length mirrors scattered around to pose in front of.

Employees chat to loyal customers and vintage lovers, who can fill their bags for no more than a few hundred dollars.

Me and George 9 Li Yuen Street West, Central