THE PERFECT WHITE 100% COTTON T FOR ONLY $3!! 🤯🤯

As someone whose Chinese is self declared cmi (I literally told a shop seller I wanted to buy 100 斤 (kg) instead of 克 (grams) of snacks) - Taobaoing in china is really not that intimidating. I had my reservations and ngl I relied heavily on google translate, but it all worked out! I didn’t rly buy much bc I didn’t know what to search for (both lack of inspo & I Chinese fluency to describe the designs), so I’ll leave some tips below if u’re anything like me.

Anw, these are some of my top buys from my recent trip! For reference, I typically wear size L from Lovet/ love bonito!

1.君君屋2009 (jun jun wu 2009) - ordered XL

Omg these shorts are THE BEST - super flattering, gives u legs for days and surprisingly hides my tummy as well!! I loved it so much I bought it first in brown and then again in black. +++ only $7?!?! Take my money!!! The shop also has many other shorts designs that look super promising too!!

2. vv组合旗舰 (vv zu he qi jian) - ordered XL

I was looking for the perfect white cropped tshirt that is 100% cotton bc all of mine are getting a little too old and not that white anymore (iykyk) & the shop I originally bought them from seems to have discontinued their crop tshirt line on Zalora 😭 I was so happy to have found this shop selling it for only $3!!! 🤯🤯😮‍💨😮‍💨 Omg where to find in sg and 100% cotton too!!

3. 依情蜜语 (yi qing mi yu) - ordered 2XL

Was looking for a black slit denim skirt bc while I have similar designs in regular denim wash and white, sometimes black just gives a diff look!! This one feels like legit denim of decent thickness, and I think $13 sounds pretty cheap to me??? Maybe can find cheaper on shein idk haha

Tips to MAXIMISE your China Taobao experience 📝

1. Start adding to cart early. If you don’t have inspo either, look on Pinterest/ XHS/ IG etc (if you’re a Zara girlie, there are MANY Zara dupes on Taobao). You can also try going window shopping in China and using that as your inspo.

2. Use the photo search function on Taobao which will show you similar products. Screenshot your inspo from point 1 and run it thru the photo search function.

3. Typically it took ~3 days for the goods to be delivered to my hotel. All of the shops I purchased from were based in guangzhou and I was in the Shanghai/Jiangsu region. According to one of the shops I purchased from, if orders are placed before 5pm, they will be shipped on the same day. If orders are placed after 5, they will be shipped the next day. If 3 days are cutting it close for you, you can inform the shop after you’ve made payment and ask them to ship out for you asap (to note this is only for orders placed before 5). I made my last Taobao order when I had 4 days left in China, and the sellers were rly quick to arrange delivery for me.

4. While it takes ~3 days for delivery, do factor in some time for unexpected delays/ issues. I had a few parcels rejected by my hotel bc I didn’t inform them before hand of the incoming deliveries, and the concierge had to call the courier to redeliver the next day. I think this might vary from hotel to hotel, but prolly best to give ur hotel a heads up.m

5. Yes, you can do returns while in China (but some shops might require u to pay shipping which is only 12 rmb per kg). It’s super fuss free- after arranging for return on the app, just pass it to your concierge and let them know the name of the courier company (mine were all 菜鸟), the date & time of courier arrival, and the password for pick up (Taobao will let you know when you arrange for return). Don’t even need to re-seal the package, no return label to print rly damn easy!

Will def be ordering more Taobao on my next trip!!! (No i will not be taobaoing while in sg bc I need some self control!! LOL #mindfulspending)

#taobao #taobaorecommendations #taobaohaul #taobaofinds