Her MO: “I’m a strategic shopper with a bit of detective energy. I rarely impulse buy; I stalk. I keep wish lists, track restocks, and treat sales like a sport. It’s a fun game of timing, patience, and knowing exactly where to look.”
The big win: “I caught the Mary Jane bug the moment I saw Alexa Chung strutting around in them. There’s something about that kind of versatility that really stuck with me. So, when I discovered the Repetto Rose Mary Janes, I started stalking them like it was a full-time job. They usually retail for around ₹35,000, but after restock alerts, page refreshes, and more hunting, I finally found them on Revolve for ₹9,000! Scoring them felt less like a purchase and more like a personal triumph. They’re timeless, endlessly wearable, and the kind of win that never gets old.”
Bhutia’s sale strategy: “Don’t waste your budget on forgettable things—that way, when your dream piece shows up at a great price, you can snap it up guilt-free. Keep a curated wish list. Bookmark obsessively. Screenshot, reverse image search, sleuth! Just because something’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s the best deal; always compare prices across retailers. And keep checking back—restocks happen and so do surprise price drops!”
Aaron Christian, 40, filmmaker; director and founder of AC Studios; creator of The Asian Man (@theasianman_)
Title: Champion of Homegrown
His motto: “I’ve always had a curiosity for discovering brands I’d never heard of—people doing things slightly left of centre. That’s where the interesting stuff lives.”
Where he finds joy: “What draws me to shopping is the thrill of uncovering new talent. And now, being able to invest in my own culture, in my own people, feels both exciting and important. Beyond spotlighting a nice product, it’s about finding South Asian brands that carry culture, craft, or a strong point of view.
Platforms like NorBlack NorWhite have been amazing—not just for their own designs, but as community hubs or visual gateways. Community-led pages like Society of Cloth, Hindostani Archive, and Silk Road Paris are also great for discovery. Their curation has helped me land on some incredible brands I might have missed otherwise. That kind of sharing, highlighting, and amplifying is what makes the ecosystem stronger, and I’ve always felt like The Asian Man should be part of expanding that circle.”
Aaron’s brand finds: “South Asian designers are incredible when it comes to textiles, shirts, and tailoring, but one area I have personally found trickier to discover is knitwear. That’s why I was thrilled to come across Kula and Amesh Wijesekera. Both are creating stunning knitwear. There’s a real confidence and softness in their designs, and you can feel the integrity behind every piece.”
Smridhi Sibal, 32, stylist
Title: The Investment Strategist
Motto: “If I like something, I don’t buy it immediately. I give it time. I let it sit with me for a few days—sometimes even weeks. The pieces I’ve taken the longest to decide on have ended up being the ones I wear the most. If it doesn’t resonate deeply, I move on.”
The joy of the hunt: “I’ve been on a very intentional search for a perfect, classic black bag for the past year and a half. I have the Sunset bag by Saint Laurent, and it’s one of my most-loved pieces—structured, sleek, endlessly wearable. I’ve been looking for something equally timeless, but with a subtle shift in energy. I’ve seen beautiful bags, yes, but none have made my heart pause in that specific way. So, for now, I wait. Because half the magic lies in the pursuit—and I know when it finds me, it will be worth every moment.”
Sibal’s advice for shopping smartly: “A habit I owe entirely to my mother is the practice of saving before spending. I set aside a portion of whatever I earn—and over time, that discipline has become the best filter. Another tip I swear by is sourcing smart. Some of the best pieces I own have come from lesser-known boutiques that aren’t exactly outlets but consistently stock past-season treasures. When I’m in a new city, I always make it a point to speak to locals—especially fashion students or those working in design schools—who know the hidden gems.”
Senjuti Chakraborty, 27, UX designer and slow fashion and lifestyle content creator
Title: The Secondhand Expert
Motto: “If you can thrift it, do that before buying new. If not, opt for sustainable, upcycled or even homegrown labels. Almost 90 per cent of my wardrobe is second-hand or vintage.”
Her journey: “I used to be a fast-fashion shopper, like many others, but that changed in 2017 when I assisted a stylist and discovered the joy of sustainable fashion. Since then, I’ve learnt to shop less but better.”
The buy that will forever live rent-free in her wardrobe: “Back in 2018, I really wanted a Suta sari—the brand was still fairly new then. I had never bought a sari for myself before, and as a student, I couldn’t afford a new one. That’s when I began thrifting more seriously. I found a second-hand Suta polka-dot saree for ₹600 and was thrilled—I still wear it today, and it never fails to get compliments.”
Chakraborty’s sustainable-shopping guide: “I mostly shop online. Some of my favourite vintage and second-hand stores are Bygone Echoes, Lali Thrifts, Folkpants, Luu Liu, Thrifted Lim Store, Dodos Finds, and Capsule Vintage. For sustainable homegrown fashion brands, I love Doodlage, Arte-Alter, No Nasties, Upasana Auroville, Akane Studio, and Kharikajai, to name a few.
Namita Alexander, celebrity stylist, creative director and entrepreneur
Title: The International Shopper
Motto: “My girl math is simple: shopping on holiday isn’t just fun, it’s smart economics.”
Why it works: “If you know where to look, shopping abroad can lead to significant savings, especially in countries that offer VAT refunds to tourists. Many stores even have tax refund counters on site, making the process seamless (just don’t forget your passport).”
Her most memorable purchase: “Last year, just 10 days after Roberto Cavalli’s passing, I was in Paris on a girls’ trip. While wandering through one of my favourite vintage markets, I discovered four pieces from Cavalli’s iconic ’90s denim collection. I cried. It felt truly serendipitous.”
Planning your holiday: “If I had to choose a favourite shopping destination, it would be Japan. From luxury brands in Ginza to quirky fashion in Harajuku and Shibuya—not to mention some of the best vintage stores anywhere—Japan delivers across the board. Add in a 10 per cent VAT exemption and a favourable exchange rate, and you’re looking at potential savings of 20 to 30 per cent compared to prices in Europe or the U.S.
Visit the Gotemba Premium Outlets near Mt Fuji, just outside Tokyo. You’ll shop with a view of the mountain and find brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta. It’s the perfect mix of Japanese luxury and international brands. The cherry on top? Tax-free shopping, which is automatic once you hit the minimum-spend threshold.”
