Planning the budget for a trip is not an easy task especially when you have to set aside some money for shopping in the new place, be it souvenirs or cosmetics or dresses. Preparing a budget and a wishlist in advance helps you handle sudden other unexpected expenses smoothly.
Tips for a hassle free shopping in a new place :
1 : Do enough research on what is good and what is bad in that place.
2 : Do not go by what your travel agent says since he is paid to do so.
3 : Prepare a list of what you want against what is good & cheap there.
4 : Set a budget for shopping and remove items which go out of the budget. Yes you need some self control.
5 : Set aside some budget for sudden impulsive buys. Yes things can go out of control at times and it is absolutely normal.
6 : Take help from the locals , they can guide you to the right places for shopping.
So last month , we had been to Malaysia & Bali and I shall share my shopping tips separately for these countries.
In Malaysia, we visited Kuala Lumpur and we did quite a lot of shopping and the prices were really good.
Places to shop in Kuala Lumpur for clothing :
1 : Bukit Bintang : A shopping street which has about 10 malls in a row with various brands to shop from.One of the highlights of this street is the Pavilion Mall which has all the high end brands to choose from. There are other complexes like Bukit Bintang Plaza, Berjaya Times Square which has got lot of brands as well. Smaller malls have export surpluses and do not miss them.
Note : I did not find great outfits for my size in these malls except in Pavilion Mall with brands like Mango. Those are available in India as well ! Go for brands not there in India.
I bought a lip stain from Sephora and I fell in love with the shade as well as the staying power. I got a pearl necklace from Forever 21 too!!
2 : KLIA 1& 2 duty free : Do not miss the airport duty free in KL. They have great brands to choose from and the rates are really good. I picked up a pair of sandals from Vincci in KLIA 1 duty free.
3 : Suria KLCC Mall : Well yes, maybe there is a pre-conceived notion that this might be costly since it is next to the Petronas but hell no. It has a huge collection of shops to cater to all needs. Me and my husband picked up quite a lot of clothes from a shop called iSetan which has a huge collection of brands to choose from.
Some of the brands that I got my tops from are :
1 : Sara
2 : Milktee
3 : Seed
4 : United Gracious
Artifacts and Souvenirs Shopping Tip :
1 : Central Market in KL : An air conditioned street market with organised shops in separate lanes to depict the different cultural influences Malaysia has had. You can find everything from perfumes to dresses to souvenirs to take back home at affordable prices. A good place for bargain hunters and to understand the culture of Malaysia.
I found great statement necklaces for very affordable prices in the Central Market. I also got the Twin tower replica as a part of my travel collection. I got some decorated eggs made of wood as a part of my home decor collection.
Bali Shopping Guide Coming Soon !!
Places to shop in Kuala Lumpur for clothing :
1 : Bukit Bintang : A shopping street which has about 10 malls in a row with various brands to shop from.One of the highlights of this street is the Pavilion Mall which has all the high end brands to choose from. There are other complexes like Bukit Bintang Plaza, Berjaya Times Square which has got lot of brands as well. Smaller malls have export surpluses and do not miss them.
Note : I did not find great outfits for my size in these malls except in Pavilion Mall with brands like Mango. Those are available in India as well ! Go for brands not there in India.
I bought a lip stain from Sephora and I fell in love with the shade as well as the staying power. I got a pearl necklace from Forever 21 too!!
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| Pearl necklace from Forever 21 |
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| Sephora Liquid Lipstick review |
2 : KLIA 1& 2 duty free : Do not miss the airport duty free in KL. They have great brands to choose from and the rates are really good. I picked up a pair of sandals from Vincci in KLIA 1 duty free.
 |
| Vincci footwear Malaysia collections |
3 : Suria KLCC Mall : Well yes, maybe there is a pre-conceived notion that this might be costly since it is next to the Petronas but hell no. It has a huge collection of shops to cater to all needs. Me and my husband picked up quite a lot of clothes from a shop called iSetan which has a huge collection of brands to choose from.
Some of the brands that I got my tops from are :
1 : Sara
2 : Milktee
3 : Seed
4 : United Gracious
 |
| iSetan haul - My Clothing haul |
Artifacts and Souvenirs Shopping Tip :
1 : Central Market in KL : An air conditioned street market with organised shops in separate lanes to depict the different cultural influences Malaysia has had. You can find everything from perfumes to dresses to souvenirs to take back home at affordable prices. A good place for bargain hunters and to understand the culture of Malaysia.
I found great statement necklaces for very affordable prices in the Central Market. I also got the Twin tower replica as a part of my travel collection. I got some decorated eggs made of wood as a part of my home decor collection.
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| Statement Jewelry Haul from Central Market in KL |
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| Beautiful bauble Necklaces |
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| Wooden Painted Eggs from Central Market, KL |
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| Petronas Tower Model |