The cold season has started in Hong Kong, and many of us and our homes are ill-equipped to deal with the chill in this otherwise tropical environment. Hive Life has compiled a list of seven companies providing products and services for maximum coziness. Here are the best ways to keep cozy in Hong Kong winter weather.
Staying warm in Hong Kong during the winter season is not like it is for people living further north. The city’s infrastructure is designed to keep heat out, considering the long, hot, and humid summers that take up the majority of the year. By January, many Hong Kongers who are not accustomed to the weather are left shivering in their uninsulated apartments.
There is a common anecdote that locals always seem overdressed in the winter months, with parkas one would expect to see in the Great White North, but in fact, the cold does not dissipate upon entering your household. If anything, it is colder than it is outside. Luckily, Hive Life has compiled a list of some local brands, many with core sustainability values, and tips to stay cozy in Hong Kong winter weather.
Knitwear
Despite Hong Kong’s generally warm weather, there are local knitwear brands with stylish designs that are perfectly appropriate for the whole year round.
Love From Blue is a contemporary knitwear label with limited production runs, ensuring unique pieces. The brand features local motifs, such as rugby shirts and mountain-esque patterns, while paying homage to the materials used to create each garment. According to Love From Blue, their “garments are a study in transfiguration – designs are based on the yarn [they] have obtained and not the other way around. This ensures nothing is forced or compromised during the creative process.” This also demonstrates their commitment to sustainability, as well as the art behind each piece.
Website: lovefromblue.com
Similarly, Yan Yan Knits (yanyan means “everyone” in Cantonese) focuses on creativity stemming from the owners’ Chinese heritage, while being mindful of the environment. Although knitwear is not traditionally seen in Chinese culture, founders Phyllis Chan and Suzzie Chung wanted to introduce the whimsy of the material and all the possibilities for colour, shape, and size. Their yarn is sourced from specialty mills around the world and knitted in China. Yan Yan’s Leftover Yarn initiative stems from their respective long histories in the fashion industry and highlights a commitment to making the fashion industry circular. If you want to don some stylish knitwear this winter season, consider these local brands!
Website: yanyanknits.com
Pair Pair Full is a Hong Kong brand that wishes to bring the joy of funky socks to Asian countries, starting locally. Meaning either the drained feeling after working hard, or getting very drunk (啤啤夫 – pe pe fu), the sock company pays homage to Hong Kong with their designs and playful spirit. Pair Pair Full is currently running a Christmas special, offering discounts on festive-themed socks, ranging from “Sheep in Wonderland” to “Hot Pot Time.” Not only will they keep your toes warm, but they will also make the perfect Christmas present for your loved ones.
Address: A366 (by the Atrium), 3/F, MOKO, Mongkok, Kowloon (click here for other locations)
Open From: 11.30am-8.30pm
L: yanyanknits.com R: pairpairfull.com
Home Decor
Founded in 2002 in Hong Kong, The Candle Company provides candles, diffusers, and oils to Hong Kongers looking for a delightful fragrance to build a relaxing atmosphere in their homes. Although candles may not provide too much literal warmth, building a comfortable mood at home is an important part of feeling a sense of winter snugness. The Candle Company provides to both individual shoppers at their Lyndhurst Terrace location, and to businesses requiring wholesale purchases.
Address: 11 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Open From: Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm; Sun: 12pm-8pm
Al-Shahzidi is a family-run business that has been a Hong Kong staple for carpeting since 1952. Owner Avais Ahmad grew up in Hong Kong and has been running the carpet store since the age of 17. Warm up your cold floors with Al-Shahzid’s beautiful, artisan designs. Providing a variety of carpets, from the traditional Persian style to modern, utilising techniques and materials like over-dyeing and bamboo silk, there is a unique carpet for everyone.
Address: 265 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Open From: Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
Bed and Bath
DORMU is a Hong Kong-run weighted blanket company started by two British expatriates as a solution to the sleeplessness of the city. While one of Hong Kong’s greatest treasures is that there is something going on 24/7, sleep is important and necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Facing this problem themselves, the founders of DORMU decided to launch their brand based on their own sleep needs, and found out they matched those of many other Hong Kongers. Additionally, DORMU follows a sustainable model, offering vegan products that do not compromise luxury or function. DORMU’s weighted blankets are the perfect way to bundle up on a cold winter’s night while supporting a local business.
Website: dormusleep.com
Softie is a brand based in Hong Kong that provides bedding to several prestigious hotels in the city and Macau, so why not bring that luxury feel home? Besides impeccable sheets and towels, Softie has a couple of specials for the average consumers, including a monogrammed robe. With or without your initials, this robe is sure to keep you warm during Hong Kong winter and is a perfect gift idea. In addition to the robe, you can request embroidered blankets, pillows, and towels as well.
Address: G/F, 115 Wing Lok Street,, Sheung Wan (click here for other locations).
Open From: Sun: 11am-7.30pm
No matter what you do to warm up your home, and you still cannot find a way to get cozy, a sauna may be the only thing that can cure ailments caused by the cold. Sunny Paradise provides inexpensive sauna rates by day and night time slots, combined with oil massages and steam bath sessions. Treat yourself to a few hours at the spa to warm yourself from the inside out.
Address: 341 Lockhart Road, Wanchai
Open From: 12pm-6am
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