Ukay culture in QC
(Photo from CNN Philippines by Kitkat Pajaro)
ITCHING to get your hands on cheap but rare fashion finds that will get everyone talking? Say no more! Ukay-ukay is here to save your wallet and your Instagram feed.
Unleash the fashionista in you by checking our favorite ukay-ukay shops in Quezon City. Get ready to dive in thousands of chemically smelling clothes and see a lot of iconic green hangers to be Insta-famous!
Before showing our top ukay-ukay stores, here is a brief background on ukay-ukay in the Philippines and a primer on how to ukay-ukay.
Ukay 101
Ukay-ukay, or UK for short, refers to a store selling secondhand or used items such as clothes, accessories, books and even furniture. It is an affordable source of clothing but made with quality material—perfect for students who are on a tight budget.
The term ukay-ukay is derived from the Visayan term “halukay,” which literally means the act of digging in English. Ukay-ukay entails people to rummage or dig through the many racks of clothing.
The ukay-ukay prices range from as low as 10 pesos to 300 pesos, or it depends on the material and brand of the item. But—trust me—it will never go near the price of items in branded stores, which usually reaches 500 pesos and above that makes thrifting a steal.
University of the Philippines (UP) graduate Luisito Abueg’s thesis titled The Economics of Secondhand Retail Trade: An Analysis of Market for Ukay-ukay said that the market for secondhand garments flourished from its considered capital, Baguio City.
It is not clear where these imported clothes came from. However, it is believed they are mostly imported from the Salvation Army, a humanitarian organization based in Hong Kong and some in the United States that are bought from garage sales and thrift shops.
Despite the law prohibiting the commercial importation of secondhand clothings, it is still widely patronized in the country because of the low prices of branded products.
1. Anonas Mall Ukay-Ukay, Cubao
Photo from Status Magazine Online
First in our list is one the most popular ukay-ukay destinations located inside Anonas Mall, which is connected to Anonas LRT station, making it an accessible spot for ukay-ukay goers. The mall has four floors that are full of secondhand items ranging from clothes to kids’ toys.
2. Fleur de Lis chain
Fleur de Lis Fashion Center is a one-stop-shop for quality items and a famous chain of ukay-ukay stores. It has several branches located in Quezon City, specifically in Cubao, Katipunan, Tandang Sora, Delta, Pantranco, etc. Most of the clothes in Fleur de Lis come from Korea, so it is a must-see and go-to destination for those who want a K-inspired look.
3. Raberly, North EDSA
Photo from the Facebook page of Raberly Dry Goods
Raberly is directly located in front MRT North Ave. Station, making it another accessible destination for thrifting clothes. It is a spacious warehouse catering secondhand clothes for women and children, and even curtains, blankets and bed sheets.
4. Ukay-ukay Paradise, Commonwealth
Photo from the Facebook page of Travel Itinerary
Ukay-ukay Paradise is located in Commonwealth Market. It is composed of two buildings, the first building with a yellow signage and the other with a red tarpaulin.
