WITH so many shops and shopping centres spreading across Yangon, shoppers are confronted by a huge array of choices – and on top of that they must decide whether to buy local or imported products.

Ma Zun Thet Paing says she and her partner Ko Lynn Htet usually go hunting for clothes on Sundays and both prefer imports.

“I love to wear tailormade clothes but Ko Lynn Htet buys nearly all of his clothes from MK shops,” she says.

Ko Lynn Htet is a 26-year-old fertiliser shop owner in Bayintnaung market, says he feels good wearing brands like Arrow and Excellency, both of which are available at MK; locally made brands, he says, don’t offer the design, quality and colours that he’s looking for.

“I buy whatever clothing or accessories catch my eye when I’m shopping, as long as they aren’t too expensive,” he says.

Ma Zun Thet Paing differs slightly from her partner and does incorporate some locally manufactured products. In the past she says she shopped at Yuzana Plaza and Bogyoke market with friends but since the birth of her child last year, shopping is far less important. Instead she buys imported fabrics and gets local tailors to make them into the designs she wants.

Daw Aye Aye Maw, 29, a construction company director, says shopping is an occasional weekend pressure release from her work.

She says that tailormade clothes – contrary to their name – never fit her so she does not buy them and prefers imported clothing.

“I usually buy clothes from Chinese, Thai and Korean manufacturers and I’m willing to pay between K10,000 and 50,000 for most items,” she says, although for special events she is happy to pay whatever is needed.

For Daw Khin Myat Wit Yi, a 32-year-old teacher at International Language Business Centre (ILBC), the right choice is a mix of imported fabrics and local tailors, just like Ma Zun Thet Paing.

“I’m expected to dress in a longyi and blouse for work so I looks dignified.
“I buy imported fabrics and then have them tailored,” she says.

Marketing officer Ma Su Myat Tun, 23, says she shops with friends once a week and buys local and imported brands.

“I like the locally made T-Zar brand and the Thai AZ brand too.

“I don’t like simple designs and prefer modern, busy styles with bright colours. I think it’s reasonable to pay about K10,000 but I can spend up to K20,000,” she says.

Ko Nay Myo, a graphic designer by trade, says imported goods are the way to go.

“I occasionally buy clothing at the President Menswear shop in Dagon Centre, Ocean Super Centre and MK,” he said.

“I prefer foreign-made cotton shirts to local ones because they offer different colours, patterns and styles. I think they are much better quality than local brands.”