Thread: afraid to ask

Hi, Where does the average Russian go to buy clothing? I want to shop a little there but not over spend on designer clothes, but rather regular nice things. I will be in Moscow and St.Petersburg so if anyone knows any shops I should go to, i would appreciate it. thanks.

In Moscow, a lot of people (not tourists though) shop at the rinok at luzhniki stadium. It's huge, easy to get turned around, but you can often get some good bargains. It's also right next to several bus routes and a metro station, so it's very easy to get to.

Unless you speak Russian really really well and look like a 100% Russian, don't even think of going there. If you go, I guarantee that all the pick-pockets operating there will consider it their duty to inspect your pockets. And as a foreigner, you're not going to get good deals, either.

Almost every city has one or more malls, and that's where you should go.

In Moscow the clothing is VERY expense in all the department stores. The sales are on now so there is the possibility of finding ladies pants or sweaters for as low as $15-$25. But they are not the styles or quality that Americans are used to. I saw some low quality ski type short jackets at a mall near ГУМ last week for $50, but I can get a better product for the same or cheaper price in America. So I prefer to buy my clothes on trips to the US. There are good buys at many flea markets but if you don't speak Russian you will have a very hard time. Also most places don't have a large selection of styles or sizes (wide shoes, extra long or short pants, petite, etc).

never mind shopping for clothes in Russia, ranark. you'll get kitted out with a vatnik and a pair of valenki or, weather permitting, kirzachi by a smiling tamozhnik at the airport...

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

never mind shopping for clothes in Russia, ranark. you'll get kitted out with a vatnik and a pair of valenki or, weather permitting, kirzachi by a smiling tamozhnik at the airport...

Actually, where do you buy valenki these days?

ranark,

the devil is not so terrible as he is painted ~ не так страшен черт, как его малюют

i would advise you not to worry and take a walk along a couple of well illuminated main streets of St. Petersburg (Nevsky or Moskovsky prospect for example) (once you're there)
exept big department stores in wich you can easily get tired in an hour, get lost and robbed (yes! in department stores there are not less pickpocketers than at marked places!)
exept this places there are not a lot but many enogh small clothing shops in wich you will not spend much time and money and will be satisfied (more likely than unlikely) by the service.

do not forget to hold your hand in your pocket - closer to your vallet all the time though - береженного Бог бережет~ caution is the parent of safety

this way you will kill two birds with one stone ~ убьешь двух зайцев: you will have a perfect chance to see the town in it's charming beauty and buy you some cloths

hm, what else? Need russian-speaking companion for feeling more confident? Write me to my e-mail or ICQ

Originally Posted by bad manners

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

never mind shopping for clothes in Russia, ranark. you'll get kitted out with a vatnik and a pair of valenki or, weather permitting, kirzachi by a smiling tamozhnik at the airport...

Actually, where do you buy valenki these days?

not the foggiest...

I recall that when I was in St Pete in this winter I was watching some Russian news programme and they were talking about a valenki factory. They were sounding as if it had been the last one in the whole country. That would be sad, for I remember how warm and genuine I felt wearing valenki in Russia. They are simply superior to anything else when it is real cold. I could buy some state-of-the-art foot gear that would probably keep the cold away and give me slightly better mobility, but that's gonna be hundreds of euros, dollars or pounds. And valenki will probably last longer anyway.

The only people who wear valenki are old men and people in the country. Most of the women(except for the grandmas) wear fashionable boots with heels (which you can buy in America for a LOT cheaper than in Russia). The young women wear 3 inch spike heels with really pointed toes. When I asked my girlfriend how she could walk in those she said she stabs the heels into the ice so she won't slip. But when the temperature goes up to about 6C the streets and sidewalks turn into giant puddles and everyone at the office who was wearing those complained about soaking wet feet. I love my Australian UGGs(leather not suede). They are very warm and totally waterproof. Not fashionable in Moscow, but the latest fashion craze in Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

I know that valenki are not fashionable these days. I simply wanted to say that one should not look nose down at them, they perform their job marvelously, considering their cost. The Germans off Moscow in 1941 could tell.

The only problem with them is they don't tolerate moisture, but that is not a problem in Russia up country.