For years, Shinjuku Plaza (西門新宿) in Ximending was a non-descript building whose drab outward appearance belied the shopping paradise inside. The mall is now in the midst of a facelift and sports a sleek new black facade and interior, but Shinjuku Plaza’s ethos has stayed the same — its five stories are filled with tiny, distinctive shops, many of which are lovingly run by independent designers and stylists. Shinjuku Plaza’s namesake is a district in Tokyo that is known for its shopping and nightlife, and many of its stores pay tribute to Japanese youth culture, with imported clothing and accessories and collectibles like Blythe dolls. The plaza is especially popular with shoppers ranging from their teens to 30s, and much of the merchandise is priced with a younger person’s budget in mind.
I Love SF (舊金衫)
I Love SF’s warm hardwood floors and shelves make an impeccable background for its selection of vintage clothing, leather jackets, boots and purses. As the name implies (舊金衫, which means “old gold clothing,” is a play on the Chinese for San Francisco), I Love SF focuses on American styles, with buyers regularly sending vintage dresses, college T-shirts, jackets and shoes back from the US. Shoppers who want something a bit more modern can buy dresses made from vintage fabric; the store’s ruched elastic tops are wearable as a strapless sundress or a flowing skirt. Much of I Love SF’s apparel is unisex, including the large selection of vintage leather jackets in earthy tones, which have the warm patina and soft texture that leather only acquires with use.
Prices are very reasonable, especially if you’ve actually gone vintage shopping in San Francisco and been hit with sticker shock: a T-shirt will set you back NT$380 to NT$880, most dresses range from NT$980 to NT$1,780, and most leather jackets are priced from NT$3,000 to NT$4,000. Vintage shoes range from NT$980 for a pair of flats with leather detailing to NT$2,580 for a pair of brown leather buckled ankle boots. Hours are from 2pm to 10pm; credit cards are accepted.
Address: 72-1, Xining S Rd, Taipei City (臺北市西寧南路72-1號)
Hours: Most stores close at 10pm and opening hours vary widely. Since many of Shinjuku Plaza's shops have tiny staffs, it's a good idea to give stores a call and make sure they are open before heading out
Location: No. 10, 3F, Shinjuku Plaza
Telephone: (02) 2388-5333
SM
For lovers of Japanese style who want something a little bit less kawaii, SM, which is located across the way from Blink!, offers jeans, sundresses and racks filled with women’s and men’s tops in bold colors and graphic prints from Japan and Hong Kong, as well as shop owner Ruby Su’s (蘇俞駿) own designs. Shoppers who want their jeans hemmed or their shirts taken in a bit don’t have to hunt for a tailor: Su does free alterations on clothing bought from his shop, most of which can be completed while you wait. SM’s clothing collection ranges in price from NT$700 to NT$2,000; flattering flared jeans with stitch detailing are about NT$2,000, while graceful, drape-y women’s tops are NT$1,300 to NT$1,500. Store hours are from 3:30pm to 10pm; credit cards are accepted.
Location: No. 2, 5F, Shinjuku Plaza
Telephone: (02) 2370-4166
EVEN Select Shop
EVEN’s spare white shelves showcase a well-edited selection of Japanese designer shoes like pieces of sculpture in a gallery. The store is the exclusive Taiwan dealer of shoes from Unbilical and Belly Button, designers with an avant-garde bent. Multi-colored suede loafers from Unbilical are NT$6,800 per pair, while hiking boots in bright, primary solids are NT$10,750 for men’s sizes and NT$10,380 for women’s. Store hours are from 1:30pm to 10pm; credit cards are accepted.
RSS