Shopping for clothing and fashion in Cambodia
Top quality fashion can be found in Cambodia
There are a large number of clothing shops to be found scattered throughout Cambodia and while souvenir t-shirts and other tourist gear are available in abundance, high fashion is also slowly becoming popular. Influenced by countries such as the USA, UK and Australia as well as Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, Cambodia is a real melting pot of fashion styles and just about anything goes here.
Cambodia’s fashion industry is finding its feet so interesting boutiques run by local designers can be found in places such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, while the creative stall holders of Sihanoukville make clothing and accessories from recycled items.
Where to buy fashion in Cambodia
Visitors to Phnom Penh will want to make a beeline for the Sorya Shopping Centre, which contains a large number of clothes boutiques and other clothing outlets. Shops selling fashionable clothes can be found on the ground, first and second floors of this modern shopping complex, and there are plenty of places to try on outfits here before purchasing. More on Phnom Penh shopping.
Originally opening its doors in 1937, Phnom Penh’s Central Market is also a great place to shop for both finished products and fabrics. While many of the stalls here cater to tourists by stocking brightly-coloured loose-fitting trousers and t-shirts, those who are looking for traditional Khmer garments will also find plenty of pretty pattered wrap-around skirts and other items for sale here.
The Old Market area of Siem Reap is simply bursting with boutiques which specialise in one-of-a-kind items that are sure to set fashion lovers swooning. Often barely big enough to swing a cat in, these tiny boutiques offer a colourful collection of skirts, dresses, shirts and all manner of other items and in many cases the designer can be found behind the shop counter. These designers are often able to make any necessary adjustments to garments either on the spot or the next day.
Decent accessories are also available
Fair trade fashion shopping in Cambodia
Sao Mao is one of the best places in Siem Reap to shop for handmade garments. This stylish Euro-Asian boutique stocks a range of unique colourful clothes, which are mainly made from silk and sown by local women. One of the best things about shopping here is that this is a fair trade business, which means that all the women who help to make the garments receive a reasonable price for their work.
Those who are searching for something a little bit different can create their own outfits and have them made to measure in tailor’s shops. The talented tailors of Cambodia are able to reproduce items from glossy fashion magazines and garments can be created in as little as a day. Visitors can either bring in their own fabrics or choose from the numerous rolls on display in the shop.
One of the best places to shop for clothes and many other products is the Angkor Night Market in Siem Reap. A large selection of clothing is available here, from t-shirts bearing images of Angkor Wat and dancing apsaras to high-end fashion. One of the best things about shopping at the Angkor Night Market is that prices are rarely fixed and shoppers can also relax over a bite to eat in the food court or with a massage.
Top clothing buys in Cambodia include souvenir t-shirts, light cotton shirts and the traditional checked scarf known as a krama. This lightweight item is usually made from either locally made silk or cotton.
