Shanghai Authentic Shopping Guide

Local handicrafts and artisanal items to pick up on your trip

Ceramics
Handmade ceramics and pottery—often using designs similar to those of the Japanese but with far lower prices—abound in Shanghai. Find outlets on Taikang Road; also check out Spin (758 Julu Road; tel. 86 21 6279 2545).

Made-to-Order Clothing
Shanghai tailors can fashion custom-made suits, shirts, jackets, and dresses in as little as three or four days. Wide range of fabrics available; bring photos, samples, and tear-outs from magazines to demonstrate the style you want. South Bund Soft-Spinning Materials Market.

Modern Chinese-Style Fashion
Hong Kong-based boutique Shanghai Tang pioneered contemporary twists on classic cuts and accessories; Shanghai designers take this one step further by giving this an artful, imperial spin. Bright “scholars” jackets. Qipao, the fitted Chinese dress, made out of Western fabrics. Chinese jewelry. Look for Shanghai Tang shops in Xintiandi and upscale hotels. Similar shops prevalent in Xintiandi, Taikang Road, and the art complex M50.

Modern Western-Style Fashion
For innovative fashion, head to the Fuxing West Road, Changle Road, or Taikang Road in the former French Concession. Taikang Road is quickly winning a hard-fought battle to become the hottest café/boutique district in town. Stores like Madame Mao’s Dowry (70 Fuxing West Road), L’Atelier Mandarine (210 Taikang Road, No. 3 Lane, Studio 318), and Shirtflag (210 Taikang Road, No. 7 Lane, Room 8) are three examples of stores with a diverse range of handcrafted men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and also bedding, lingerie, and accessories.