Street Shopping

Ever thought you could buy a gorgeous outfit for your birthday in just Rs. 300? With hundreds of stalls on one single street you have too many options to pick your favourite piece of clothing, bags, footwear and what not.Unlike other cities, Mumbai gives you a chance to be at your stylish best without going broke.

   

                           Street shopping is a game of gamble , 

   You either win it or you don’t! 

Before we get into the places below is the list of things(or you could say rules) to follow before you buy anything.

1.Do not show EXCITEMENT on ANYTHING, mind you, anything you like! Pretend it is just another pair of shirt you want to buy. If you show your love,the shopkeeper wouldn’t bargain a penny beyond.

2.Start from Rs.100 (whatever the product may be),then gradually increase the price agreeing on the price you thought you would pay(Max 300 should be the budget).

3.Look for loop ‘holes’ in the product. It’s a known fact that the products in the market are usually export rejects!

4.Enter the market only after 1.30 PM (anytime before, would be a waste – Perfect time would be 3.00! That’s the time you’ll find people selling chic products on the street). If you love shopping in peace, avoid evenings! It’s a chaos then!

5.Tell the shopkeeper, you buy from him every time.He feels popular and may offer a good bargain –“Mein aapse hi leti hu humesha, Thoda toh price kam karo!”

6.Avoid addressing them as Bhaiya (brother) or Uncle – Nothing annoys them more.

7.Do not travel in a car, walk your way through the shopping street(Remember, show it to the seller that you are shopping on a tight budget, If the shopkeepers see you getting off a car they wouldn’t bargain AT ALL).

Now here's a list of places (according to me) where you can find the best at the least cost.

1.Colaba Causeway - Shopping at Colaba Causeway is like visiting a carnival. There is not one thing that a person will not find here. Handicrafts, books, clothes, shoes, jewellery; you name it and Colaba Causeway has it. The best place to shop for jewellery. Chunky jewellery, neck pieces, danglers, bangles, bracelets, they’ve got it all.

2.Bandra(Hill road) - A hip shopping locale in the ‘Queen of the Mumbai Suburbs’, Bandra.  Frequently visited by college girls looking for trendy stuff. I love this place for the shoes! Boots, Wedges, Kitten heels, Stilettos, the whole shebang!

 

3.Bandra(Linking Road) - This is on the other side of Bandra. From latest clothes, shoes and accessories, Linking Road has it all. Bargaining is rampant and rightly so, but you can be assured to find the trending fashion at throwaway prices at Linking Road.

 

4.Fashion Street - The name says it all! An entire stretch of street dedicated to up the ante of your fashion. With approximately 150 -175 stalls present on the street selling clothes, shoes accessories at dirt cheap prices it attracts teenagers and college going students in plenty.

5.Chor Bazaar - Literally meaning ‘Thieves Market’, it’s one of the largest flea markets in India. You can find almost anything here and it isn’t limited to just clothes and accessories! It has everything from brassware and ceramic to vintage collections.You can even get imported stuff at dirt cheap prices.

Goodbye,until my next post about Mumbai.Tag along for more about the city on seven islands.