Top 7 Places for Fashion Shopping in Malaysia

By Ashman Mahfudz

Mission to shop in the city of Kuala Lumpur can take you from glossy shopping malls to exotic night market selling Burberry knockoffs, souvenir shops in between of yummiest street food vendors and a lot more. Dubbed by CNN as one of the best shopping cities in the world, Kuala Lumpur has everything you could crave for.

Here we would like to list Top 7 Places for Fashion Shopping in Malaysia based on our personal experience, feedback from tourists and the real confession of a shopaholics:

1. Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Image: kuala-lumpur.ws

Situated at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang is on top of our list. Stepping in Bukit Bintang you will most probably be welcome by busy weekend crowd, flashing screens and one of the best shopping malls in Malaysia such as Pavillion Kuala Lumpur, Starhill Gallery, Lot 10, Sungei Wang, Berjaya Times Square, Low Yat Plaza and a lot more! Not to mentioned the street shops and vendor along side the area.

Bukit Bintang caters to all shoppers with each mall unofficially house different ‘genre’ or specialty of goods; For example Starhill Gallery is home to luxury brands such Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Kenzo and exclusive watch and jewellery maker stores such as Bedat & Co., Khronos, Audemars Piguet and Chopard.

Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Image: inhabitat.com

Louis Vuitton Starhill Gallery. Image: starhillglobalreit.com

Jaeger-LeCoultre Starhill Gallery. Image: starhillglobalreit.com

One can never resist the sight of the iconic Pavillion Kuala Lumpur mall, favorite among local urban dwellers as well as a must visit for tourists. If you are running late and can only visit one mall in Kuala Lumpur, we highly recommend you to visit this one. The mall offers you large arrays of luxury fashion brand such as Hugo Boss, Prada, Gucci and Mont Blanc and mid range fashion brand such as Topman, Zara, Marc by Marc Jacobs and others.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Image: bagsofluxury.com

High-end fashion boutiques at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Image: justgola.com

For those looking for specialties do drop by Sungei Wang and Berjaya Times Square for the real deal from local vendors.

2. Bangsar

Bangsar night view. Photographed by Faizal Jasri

Bangsar the urban district of Kuala Lumpur seems to be the most preferred location for local fashion designers to start in Malaysia, making it the unofficial local brand ‘nest’.

Besides the shopping malls Bangsar Village and Bangsar Shopping Centre, the streets of Telawi is where you can find unique multi-label stores like This Appear Plus (co-owned by local designers Joe Chia and Justin Chew) and Never Follow Suit store owned by local designer Max Mak.

Bangsar Shopping Complex. Image: www.pekat.com.my

Another local brand worth a visit is Commodity and D.D Collective (previously “Dude & Duchess”) in Bangsar Village. Some homegrown champions of women’s design such as Mimpikita, Nuritha Harith, Lynda Rahim, Jovian Mandagie and Syomir Izwa are also here in Bangsar.

Multi-label fashion stores and local designer boutiques along Bangsar streets. Photographed by Ashman Mahfudz

3. KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre)

Suria KLCC at night. Photographed by Rodrigo Mello Nunes

Another shopping heaven for both locals and tourists in Kuala Lumpur is KLCC.

Suria KLCC and Avenue K are two malls situated opposite each other at the Petronas Twin Towers.

Suria KLCC is also home to many luxury brand including Alfred Dunhill, Brioni, Zegna, Coach Men and the only standalone Chanel store in Malaysia, as well as other international brands such as Nike, Under Armour and Uniqlo.

There are also various vendors within the malls that offer great idea for souvenirs, household goods, gadgets and books. Make your way to Avenue K for more options of mid range fashion brands and sport brands.

Avenue K. Image: www.stdirectorytravel.com

4. Petaling Street

Petaling Street at night. Image: tykhyi

Had enough of shopping malls? Head over to Petaling Street – also known as the Chinatown of Kuala lumpur – for a street shopping experience.

Totally of different league from Bukit Bintang and KLCC, Petaling Street is the place for bargain hunters and those on a tight budget. Albeit the clear warning signs against selling imitation, the streets is still full of ‘luxury goods’ in bulk!

Try your luck to bargain for cheaper price with vendors, throw in some local terms such as “Murah lagi” which means “cheaper” in Malay. Petaling Street is also a great place for you to buy fresh fruits, flowers, souvenirs and to sample local cuisine.

Inside Petaling Street. Image: tykhyi

Just about 5 minutes walk from Petaling Street is the Central Market Kuala Lumpur. Despite its name, Central Market is not like any other one-stop market in South East Asia. Central Market is a cultural bazaar for artsy goods from painting, interior decoration to local fabrics. Also, take some time to stroll around the area for some sightseeing and to witness city life of local traders.

Central Market Kuala Lumpur. Photographed by Tanawat Pontchour

5. Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Photographed by by Choo Choo May

Filled with pre-war buildings, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or Jalan TAR is another shopping street often flocked by the locals especially during the festive season.

Here at Jalan TAR, you can find fabrics and local traditional clothes at a very affordable price. You can also find local suit tailor service within the area, as well as in Campbell Shopping Complex, which is famous for leather goods, sports goods and luggages.

Jalan TAR is often transformed into weekend market and bazaar during the festive period. You will be spoilt with choices and just walking through this street is quite an experience.

Ramadhan bazaar at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman during Raya season. Image: mruncit.com

6. Premium Outlet Stores

Johor Premium Outlet. Image: premiumoutlets.com.my

Who doesn’t love premium goods at discounted price up to 90%? You are in it for good when you’re in Malaysia.

Malaysian swoon over Johor Premium Outlet Store located in the southern state of Peninsular Malaysia for off season items at great bargain for luxury brands like Lacoste, Aigner, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Burberry, Canali, Coach, Ermenegildo Zegna, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo and more. Although some stores may require you to queue during peak period, you might be in it for a good catch!

Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang. Image: skyscrapercity.com

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, the recently opened Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang does offer a great deal. Mitsui Outlet Park is worth a stop if you have extra time to kill between your flights via KLIA or before heading to the airport. Shuttle bus is available from the airport to this mall, which is situated approximately 7 km away from KLIA.

7. Petaling Jaya Shopping Malls

One Utama Shopping Complex. Image: savemoney.my

Outskirt of Kuala Lumpur – Petaling Jaya is the most populous district in Malaysia and home to the largest shopping mall in Malaysia and the sixth largest in the world – 1 Utama Shopping Complex. 1 Utama is situated nearby other large and popular shopping malls such as Paradigm Mall, The Curve, The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall.

The Curve, Petaling Jaya. Photographed by Wasin Pummarin

The Paradigm Mall. Image: skyscrapercity.com

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