The Philippine Online Chronicles

What if...

...you are invited to a friend's debut... and so is your ex? All your other friends who are also invited to the party are busy shopping. You, on the other hand, can't afford boutique prices. You absolutely can't miss the party because your friend will get mad at you... but you can't go looking like your ex would feel grateful for your breakup. After skipping meals and borrowing friends' photocopies of assignments for like a week, you've saved only two hundred pesos. There's this beautiful Marimar-inspired flower-sprigged doll dress in a boutique window practically screaming “I'm yours!” but no way on earth could you afford its price without giving up your allowance for a whole month.

Remember that old Tide commercial? The one where the girl gets complimented about her prom dress which her mom bought from “the UK”?

Exactly. All it takes is a little know-how. And lots of patience. And lots of laundry soap.

There's nothing to be ashamed of in buying from the “UK”. An article on Inquirer said that ukay-ukay is not only a survival strategy, but a politically correct statement. More people are now buying from them, including the not-so-poor, so fear not! You're in good company!

Start scoping out your friendly neighborhood ukay-ukay-- chances are, they lower their prices every two to three weeks, in preparation for new stock. When the prices hit Php85 and below, it's time to hit the store. You're looking for dresses, which are usually on hangers near the back.

According to the blog My Lavish Life, expect the unexpected in an ukay-ukay shop, such as: weird smells, all sorts of people, weird music, and no airconditioning. Of course, it doesn't hurt to look as if you just dropped in on your way to buy vinegar at the sari-sari store. Maybe the seller will give you a better discount. And yes, do haggle. That at least is expected.

An article on PinoyExpats.org also advises ukay-ukay shoppers to check out the clothes carefully before you pay for them. They might have tears, stains and other damages. Make sure that you can repair any minor damages. Remember, ukay-ukays usually have a “no return, no exchange” policy.

Aside from the general look of the dress, check the fabric. Don't go for the polyester-type clothes. They feel scratchy and clammy after a couple of washes, and the colors tend to fade to oblivion. Go for the cotton, linen, lace or satin. Aside from lasting longer, clothes made with these materials also look classy, and may be mistaken for brand-name clothing. Not that there aren't any branded clothes in ukay-ukay-- you might just be lucky enough to lay hands on an authentic Armani or Donna Karan.

  Anyway, in a little hole-in-the-wall shop on España, between Blumentritt and the Rotonda, we found a flowery doll dress a la Marimar for Php100. Since it was rather short, we also found a little white miniskirt in a shop near Lerma for Php25. After thoroughly hand-washing (two soakings and two washings, plus a liberal application of fabric conditioner), and air-drying the clothes, voila! The Marimar look... for only 125 pesos! Now go borrow a pair of strappy sandals from your sister or your best friend, curl your hair, and put on some subtle makeup. You're all set to knock the socks off your ex at the party.

Marimar photo from Lovely Ruth's blog on bravejournal.com, originally from GMANews.tv.
Other photos by Tinette Panogot.
Model: Eva Concepcion.