Shopping for your kids in Phnom Penh can be a challenge. Or it could be just the retail therapy you’ve been looking for. Words by Danielle Craishe
I hope my husband’s not reading this because I have to confess that I’m a shopaholic. Even worse, I think I’m turning my children into shopaholics as well. I’ve been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last three and a half years which has destroyed any buzz that I previously enjoyed from shopping for clothes for me. So I’ve had to turn the pleasure that once came from a slinky dress or a pair of shoes into a vicarious one; that comes from baby-sized bargains. The beauty of Phnom Penh is that the cost of the addiction is about as teeny tiny as the clothes themselves.
Where to start? The Russian Market. The piles of clothes can be daunting, particularly in the heat, but the trick is to target your search. The kids’ shops are clustered around the South Eastern corner near the DVDs. Quality cotton Abercrombie and Fitch polo shirts sell for around US$4 or US$5. They look very smart on little boys, or as my fashion conscious two-year-old says “That’s lovely Mummy.” Ralph Lauren shirts, Milo the bathing ape and Paul Smith t-shirts are a similar price. The colours are fabulous; vivid purple, bright reds and greens and soft blues. There are also lots of groovy shorts in wild prints or more tailored styles in khakis and browns and black.
For little girls it’s a carnival of colour. Carter’s and the The Children’s Place use cheap, bright cottons. Some of their dresses, printed shorts and leggings come in wild patterns that young kids will love. There’s also cute baby stuff – cotton suits, overalls and t-shirts from newborn upwards. Check the items carefully though, sometimes they’re marked or have an unstitched seam and beware 100% polyester. , Your kids will melt in it!
If you’re into exploring you can also find the occasional special piece at both Olympic and Central Market but you have to take a bit of time to sift. Since my baby girl was born I’ve been a sucker for pretty dresses. She’s only just turned one but already says “Oh Wow!” every time I bring another one home that I just couldn’t leave behind. It’s better if the profits are going somewhere worthwhile though so I like Soksabbai and Cheeky Monkey; cute, inexpensive brands that are made as part of projects that deliver profits back to the women who make the clothes.
There are sailor’s pants and lightweight jeans and checked shirts for boys. For girls the cotton dresses are pretty and full, just perfect for little princesses. They also make great gifts to send to little relatives and friends back home. The shop at Le Jardin has the best range.
For pink and white knickerbockers with candy stripes, multicoloured soft cotton pants and little hair clips, browse Chilli Kids. It’s a relatively new place with some locally made stuff and some inexpensive imported board shorts and t-shirts for boys. Prices here are a little higher than the markets but it’s air-conditioned and the locally made pieces are cute and a bit different.
After you break for a Danish and a coffee sneak into Bliss if only for a minute. “Oh wow” indeed. The little dresses are floaty and light and as pretty as can be. The price tag is high for Cambodia, but still cheap by foreign standards and that vintage flower number will have definite wow factor when you take your little one home to see the grandparents.
Finally, for floaty satins and silks, in buttery yellows, vivid reds and romantic white, exquisite beading and extraordinary needlework, Ambre is the place. These dresses from baby sized to Mummy sized are the special occasion kind with prices to match. Little shopaholics will love them, and so will big girls, so leave the boys at home. Maybe Mummy is ready for that new dress and shoes after all?
Soksabbai and Cheeky Monkey, 16 Street 360, 011 723 399.
Chilli Kids, 43Eo Street 240, 023 992 710.
Bliss, 29 Street 240, 023 215 754.
Ambre, 37 Street 178, 023 217 935.
