If you have a year-end holiday booked in a cold country, you might be wondering where to buy winter clothes in Malaysia. Whether you’re headed to the snowy mountains of Switzerland for some skiing, chasing the Northern Lights in Finland or escaping the heat in nearby countries like Japan or South Korea, you’ll want to make sure you’re well-equipped for your adventures.
This guide will help you figure out where the best places are to look for winter clothing in Malaysia, so that you land at your destination ready to enjoy the cold. We’ll also share a little about the Wise card so that you can get the most out of your money when you’re on your holiday.
What winter clothing do I need?
There’s no one size fits all solution as your needs will be different depending on where you’re planning to travel to. You will require different winter clothes depending on whether your destination has snow, whether you’re planning on doing winter sports and how low the temperature gets.
One important thing to do before you purchase any winter clothing in Malaysia is to figure out and narrow down what you might need out of your clothing, such as waterproof or windproof jackets to prevent damp clothes from melting snow. If you’re planning to go hiking or skiing, you might need some specialised boots as well to make sure your feet are kept toasty warm.
Can I get winter clothes in Malaysia?
We might not get temperatures under 20°C or even snow in Malaysia, but there are plenty of travel shops, fashion chains and even online shops where it’s easy to purchase items like winter coats and boots.
If you’re looking to arrive at the airport with your wardrobe all settled, here are some options for you to check out in Malaysia.
Where to buy winter clothes in Malaysia
Malaysia is a big country, but some larger brands should have an outlet near you for your convenience. Whether you’re in Johor Bahru or Kuala Lumpur, these big brands will offer a wide variety of winter clothing and accessories.
Uniqlo
If you haven’t heard of Uniqlo, you must be living under a rock. This Japanese brand has exploded in popularity in South-east Asia, and there are 60 stores in Malaysia alone¹, with majority of those stores located in and around Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
Uniqlo does employ a seasonal strategy, so winter clothing might not be available in stores all year round, but the brand does start to stock more items like HeatTech thermal innerwear, puffer jackets and other winter clothing from September onwards.
Prices are generally quite affordable, and Uniqlo is well-known for providing great quality clothing at low prices, so if you’re looking to get some affordable thermal innerwear, Uniqlo’s signature HeatTech pieces might be a great option to consider.
Universal Traveller
If you want more premium products, Universal Traveller is another option. While the products here are a little more expensive, you do get a certain level of quality and winter clothing that can withstand harsh temperatures. You’ll be able to get winter down jackets, fleece jackets, and padded coats - perfect to keep you snug and warm.
Some of the thermal innerwear options available at Universal Traveller are rated for -30°C², which is around 10-15 degrees lower than what you’ll find at more casual or commercial brands. WIth a great range of winter wear and even travel gear like accessories and luggages, you’ll be spoilt for choice when preparing for your winter holiday at this one-stop shop.
Decathlon
Heading off for some winter sports or hiking in the alps of Switzerland or snowy mountains of Hokkaido? You might be looking for something more sports-inclined, and that’s where Decathlon shines.
Unlike the other options mentioned so far, Decathlon's offerings are all sports-focused, and if you’re looking to get warm, waterproof equipment like hiking boots, waterproof jackets and more, your first stop should definitely be to a Decathlon outlet. There are even accessories like merino wool mufflers, caps, gloves, warm socks and more.
The clothing options are on the hardy side while not being too expensive, thanks to Decathlon mostly selling their own house-brand clothing instead of more expensive branded products.
Where to buy winter clothes in Kuala Lumpur (KL)
If you’re in Kuala Lumpur, you’re in luck. Not only does the capital have plenty of outlets located in convenient locations, there are even some exclusive shops and hidden gems that you will only be able to find here.
Kok Kong Winter Wear
This shop in Kuala Lumpur specialises in winter wear, so if you’re nearby, it’s definitely worth a special trip down just to check out the products they have on display. With winter coats, down jackets, windbreakers, winter accessories and more, it’s a one-stop shop for all your winter attire needs. Other items like sweaters, winter pants for sports and even options for children are all available.
If you were wondering where to get winter boots in Malaysia, there are plenty of fashionable options at Kok Kong Winter Wear that will ensure your feet are kept warm while still looking super stylish. They even have luggage available for purchase at the shop, so it’s super convenient.
Sakura Bundle Winter Collection
Wondering where to buy cheap winter clothes in Malaysia? If you’re not particularly picky and you just want the best bang for your buck, you might want to consider checking out pre-loved apparel. Sakura Bundle Winter Collection in Kuala Lumpur sells affordable, second-hand winter clothes like down jackets, puffer jackets, trench coats, fleece jackets and more for both adults and children.
If you’re not looking to travel to cold countries in wintertime frequently, this might be the best option for you. You could even find clothes from brands like The North Face if you’re lucky enough. It does seem like most of the clothes available here are jackets, however, so you might have to look elsewhere for boots, pants and other pieces of winter clothing.
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Where to buy winter clothes in Johor Bahru (JB)
Don’t feel left out if you’re in Johor Bahru, however. There are also some shops that you’ll be able to visit if you’re looking for winter clothes in Malaysia. Here are some shops and hidden gems that are only available in JB.
Jalan Jalan Japan
Jalan Jalan Japan is rather unique in the sense that all the pre-loved products there are shipped from Japan, and the items available here vary from clothes to bags to kitchenware and even musical instruments. This chain of thrift shops will certainly be a great place to stop by if you’re looking for thrifted gear on a budget, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that these products all came from the famous Book Off chain in Japan.
Since it’s a thrift shop, you could even find some branded products available on the shelves if your luck is good. They do get shipments of products weekly from Japan, so if you have time, it might be worth going multiple times to check if there are any products that catch your fancy.
Big Bundle
Another fantastic option for cheap winter clothing in Malaysia is Big Bundle. With two outlets located in JB, Big Bundle is one of the largest thrift shops around and you’ll be able to find plenty of second-hand winter clothes at a steal.
There will be plenty of items like sweaters, windbreakers and boots on display. That being said, we have also seen pictures with down jackets and puffer jackets on the racks, so if you’re lucky, you might just be there at a time when the store has restocked the racks with winter clothing.
As with every thrift store, however, you do have to be prepared for some disappointment in case you don’t get what you want. However, if you have the time, it’s certainly worth heading down to take a look since you’ll be able to save a considerable amount.
Bring along the Wise card on your winter holiday to save on transactions in over 150+ countries
Regardless of whether you’re travelling to North America, Europe or Asia, you’ll be able to save even more money with the Wise card. You’ll be able to spend in over 40+ currencies across 150+ countries at the mid-market rate with low, transparent fees starting from just 0.33%³. All you have to do is top up your Wise account in MYR, convert to your desired currencies when you like the prevailing rates, and you can rest assured you’ll always get. If you’re flying off soon, you’ll be able to receive your physical card within 5 working days upon order.
Whether you’re paying with chip and pin, contactless payment, or even mobile payment like Apple and Google Pay, the Wise card does it all. Just spend directly with the card and Wise will convert your currency for you. Otherwise, convert your MYR in advance to secure your desired exchange rate. At times where you find yourself needing some cash, you’ll be able to get some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR with the Wise card.
With low fees and superb convenience, the Wise account and card will be perfect partners for your next winter holiday.
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Sources:
- Uniqlo Malaysia
- Universal Traveller Malaysia
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
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