I love surfing. I love the culture, the lifestyle, the toned surfer bodies, and I love the sturdy-but-oh-so-cute fashion. There’s a reason why surfwear is expensive. That’s because the suits and shorts are made to withstand violent waves that make you feel you’re inside a giant washing machine. Years ago when I bought surf bikinis I would look for the mark that it was tube-tested – insurance that it wont go ripping apart if I wiped out. I’m not sure how they ensure that now, but that stitching is STRONG.
On our first trip to Bali, I went to the Surf Outle Stores in Legian, Kuta which is the main shopping strip. I was like a child in a candy store. The prices were half of that in Manila! I got 4 awesome perfect-fitting Roxy bikinis. The other brands just don’t flatter my body type.
But this time we went even farther – I can’t quite remember if it’s Jalan Sunset or Ngurah Rai. We just stopped when we passed them. They were two adjoining shops, each with a basement level. One was purely Rip Curl, and the other an assortment of brands. These had no air-conditioning so it’s not a comfortable shopping experience at all. I love my husband for going with me and sweating it out (You’re the best!). For some reason we found ourselves in these stores at around noon. It was REALLY hot and sticky but it was worth it. The prices on these things were so damn cheap, it was unbelievable. The stocks are not as nice so I only got basic dresses, skirts, tanks, bags and accessories. But none of the bikini’s fit me. I’ll have to go to Legian for that next time. We found items in the range of Rp 100,000 – 200,000 when they would normally cost half a Million at the very least. My best find was a lovely blue genuine leather Roxy wallet with lots of pockets and TWO coin compartments for about Rp 150,000. Crazy right?!?
Transport
We went outlet shopping when we had a car and driver. Not only did we go to surf outlet shops but also to ceramic outlet shops, Shell World and other home & furniture stores, so it would not have been cost efficient to take a cab. But if you’re just going to 2-3 surf outlet stores in Sunset/Ngurah Rai you can get a cab and ask them to wait for you because it will be hard getting one back. But if you’re just going to the main shopping strip in Legian just get dropped off – there are a lot of cabs. Please refer to the very bottom of an older post for the phone number of the car company and the driver we used.
Here are some addresses I found on the net:
Quicksilver. Head office: Jl. Raya Legian No. 362, Kuta, phone: 751 214, http://quiksilver.com/ *I am not sure if this is the same one, but I heard the Quicksilver shop on Kuta Square burnt down.
Surfer Girl. Jalan Legian 138, Kuta, Bali. Other shops: Kuta Square, Bali Collection Nusa Dua, Senayan City Mall Jakarta, La Piazza Mall, Kelapa Gading Jakarta, Galaxy Mall Surabaya, Ratu Indah Mall Makassar.
Rip Curl. Outlet: Kuta Square, Melasti, Legian, Sogo Discovery Mall, Bali Collection Nusa Dua, Sun Plaza Medan, Senayan City Jakarta, Pondok Indah Mall Jakarta, Paris Van Java Bandung. www.ripcurl.com
Volcom Kuta Beach – Bali. Outlet: Kuta Square Shopping Centre, Block #A II, Kuta – Bali
Ph. 62-361-752711 http://www.volcom.com/
Billabong Factory Outlet. Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai 11G, Simpang Siur, Kuta, Bali. Ph: 755 236. billabong_FO@yahoo.com
Surfers’s Paradise. Oakley, Reef, Roxy, Quick Silver, Sunsuko, Cult, Volcom, Hurley, Industry, Bilo Australia. Jalan By Pass I Gusti Ngurah Rai No. 210 Kelan, Bali, ph/fax: +62-361-705 385.
seriously can’t wait to get there and shop head to toe! hahaha
thanks again for sharing! =)
You’re welcome Josephine! I also recommend you check out the “outlet” shops on Legian street. It’s still half the price of stuff in the Phils, but a MUCH wider selection and air-conditioned stores. I totally loved it!