I will be visiting Taipei on vacation and am interested in finding young men’s clothing brands that are unique to Taiwan (or Asia at least). I am from the United States so looking for brands that I cannot find here. Not looking for high end stuff but more mid range casual clothing. For example, looking for brands similar to US brands like Gap, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Original Penguin or Hong Kong brands like Baleno and Giordano.
Looking online seems to be difficult to find unique brands, as most malls just sell the typical global brands that can be found anywhere. So any suggestions would be welcome!
For mid-range casual, you might have a look at the ubiquitous Uniqlo or MUJI stores. I think they hit closest to the US brands you mentioned. Of course these companies are from Japan. Depending where you are based, they may also be too “typical.”
Many of the Taiwan brands for mid-range casual (example: lativ) do not have storefronts. They operate on an online/shipping model. Alas, as far as I know, these websites do not have an English interface. If you want to have a look, the lativ site is here:
[quote=“afterspivak”]For mid-range casual, you might have a look at the ubiquitous Uniqlo or MUJI stores. I think they hit closest to the US brands you mentioned. Of course these companies are from Japan. Depending where you are based, they may also be too “typical.”
Many of the Taiwan brands for mid-range casual (example: lativ) do not have storefronts. They operate on an online/shipping model. Alas, as far as I know, these websites do not have an English interface. If you want to have a look, the lativ site is here:
+1 on the Lativ site. Fairly priced clothing and pretty good material. Probably the only “store” that’s unique to Taiwan that fits under your requirements.
I’ve bought a pair of running shorts from them and they have not given me any problems for 2 years now.
You can visit the GAP, Uniqlo, MUJI, Giordano, Balena stores here in Taiwan. They might have some Asia/Taiwan exclusive styles that they do not have in the states.
[quote=“afterspivak”]For mid-range casual, you might have a look at the ubiquitous Uniqlo or MUJI stores. I think they hit closest to the US brands you mentioned. Of course these companies are from Japan. Depending where you are based, they may also be too “typical.”
Many of the Taiwan brands for mid-range casual (example: lativ) do not have storefronts. They operate on an online/shipping model. Alas, as far as I know, these websites do not have an English interface. If you want to have a look, the lativ site is here:
+1 on the Lativ site. Fairly priced clothing and pretty good material. Probably the only “store” that’s unique to Taiwan that fits under your requirements.
I’ve bought a pair of running shorts from them and they have not given me any problems for 2 years now.
You can visit the GAP, Uniqlo, MUJI, Giordano, Balena stores here in Taiwan. They might have some Asia/Taiwan exclusive styles that they do not have in the states.
There used to be a website that sold a novelty t-shirt designed by a Taiwanese designer everyday. Each t-shirt was only up for sell for a week. It was pretty unique. Too bad it folded.
Thanks for all the suggestions. We do have Uniqlo here in the US but as mentioned there may be some specifc to Asia styles that are offered. MUJI is not present here so will check that out. Will take a look at the Lativ site as well, although I’m mostly interested in brick and mortar stores since I want to be able to try on before I buy. Will take a look at remix also.
One more suggestion (alas also from Japan): Takeo Kikuchi, found in select department stores in Taipei (perhaps elsewhere, though I have not seen them). This is getting into a higher price point but it’s also higher quality, like a sharper Banana Republic.
If you’re looking for Asia style clothing you can’t go wrong with making a visit to the Shinkong Mitsukoshi (新光三越) department stores, located at NanJing West Road and in the XinYi shopping district, in Taipei.
They are not all the low to mid range prices you’ll find at UNIQLO, but more Asian styles if that’s what you’re looking for.