For the love of ukay
Ukay-ukay has always been a vital part of the local fashion scene. Passed down from generation to generation, ukay has slowly but surely crept its way into the mainstream—from large and dusty community bins to curated Instagram shops and TikTok hauls.
For the creatives who grew up on it, the appeal wasn’t as much in the affordable price tag. The experience actually plays a big part in it: the digging and discovering, and the thrill of finding something that feels like it was always yours.
One of our subjects says it best: “The fun of ukay is coming in with an open mind. Distractions and side quests, they’re part of the experience.”
These three creatives share their respective experiences and love of ukay, proving that thrift culture remains a powerful outlet for self-expression among Filipinos everywhere, and that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
1. Niqui Mateo-Piñon
Illustrator and design studio owner, @nqmto
Favorite ukay find: Baggy jeans, cheese wheel table
Niqui Mateo-Piñon is half of the brains (and hands) behind Nani, a Metro Manila-based design studio. Together with her creative partner Nadine Layon, she’s worked on branding, illustrations, and even murals for a number of local brands and names, including Single Origin, Wanderland Music Festival, and even OPM phenom Ben&Ben.
Ukay is yet another method of self-expression for Mateo-Piñon as a creative, with her admitting that her love for thrift shopping had begun bubbling from the days of her youth. Raised in Marikina, ukay-ukays were just a tricycle ride away from her childhood home. But it wasn’t until a friend invited Mateo-Piñon to explore her own neighborhood that she really dug for clothes.
She says, “I found a P50 pleated midi skirt that I still have with me today, even after moving thrice. I guess that was the ‘turning point’ for me. It made me realize I didn’t really need to step into a mall to find clothing that gave me joy.”
Mateo-Piñon also shares that she enjoys going through bins and combing through racks not only to find hidden gems but also to train her creative eye and fully hone her taste in fashion. It has made this creative more discerning about what she likes and dislikes about herself. Though she admits she is not spared by the convenience of fast fashion, Mateo-Piñon remarks that malls, in contrast, feel restrictive to her—almost like being handed a trend and told to wear it.
“As I get older, I want my clothes to last. By that, I don’t mean just the quality, but wearability as well. If I can’t wear this three-plus years from now, is it still worth buying?” she asks herself. “The last thing I want is to be a victim of ‘thrift blindness,’ or else it becomes another piece of clothing that just lives in my closet forever. Clothes shouldn’t be disposable.”
2. Lory
Musician, @lory.wav
Favorite ukay find: Sonic Youth T-shirt
If you’re familiar with the local music scene, then you might have seen artist Mikee Mendoza, best known as Lory, onstage at a gig somewhere—whether it was for his own solo act, for Blaster and the Celestial Klowns, or his current band Fitterkarma, where he plays as lead guitarist.
Mendoza is normally dressed head to toe in thrifted clothing, taking inspiration from J-rock fashion icons like Miyavi and Hide for the longest time. He approaches ukay with a vision in mind, now focusing on hunting for clothes reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s.
Mendoza fell in love with ukay after tagging along with some friends and going around shops in Tanay, Rizal. He described the experience as something that triggered a “high” to chase—to find clothes that align with however he’s feeling and whoever he’s currently trying to emulate.
“Apart from the obvious reason for it being more sustainable, I feel like thrifted clothes have a certain mojo to them that you just can’t get with new clothes,” says Mendoza. “It’s also just much more practical with budget, especially if you like variation with your wardrobe.”
Because ukay has grown to become such a prominent subculture in local Filipino fashion, more and more online ukay shops have gained relevance over the 2010s. This makes it much more practical for fans who are intimidated by vast stores and hundreds of racks.
But as a hardcore thrift shopper, Mendoza’s tip is to still get out there and try digging for yourself. “While platforms like Carousell and Instagram shops are convenient, I hope that people still go to physical ukay-ukays. I think that half of the fun of the culture is digging through the dusty piles and racks for the ‘gold.’ It’s also much cheaper.”
3. Jean Gipit
Wedding content creator, @skinniestjean
Favorite ukay find: Blazer and trouser set
There was a time when wedding content creation did not play a role in these large celebrations. But in the age of TikTok and Instagram Reels, it’s nearly as essential as your usual photography and videography packages. Jean Gipit, best known as Mrs. Gipit, was there first.
Originally starting out as a lifestyle and thrift creator, Gipit branched out to covering weddings after she got married in 2022. Putting her foot in the industry, she quickly rose to become one of the country’s most coveted wedding content creators. Gipit has since covered a number of local high-profile weddings, including those of actress Carla Abellana and influencer Jaz Reyes. But ukay will always be Gipit’s first love, and something she continues to churn out content for until this day.
“I grew up around hardcore elite thrifters. My grandparents passed it to my dad, and he passed it to me. At some point, I realized, why would I pay full price when I know I can find something just as good, or better, in an ukay for a fraction of it?” says Gipit.
Gipit’s style has evolved and grown through the years, but she’s now recognized for her classic, corporate-chic aesthetic—pantsuits, blazers, long skirts. And yes, many of these pieces were found through digging into the racks of a thrift shop. Gipit still enjoys sharing her ukay secrets and tips through her social media platforms.
“I’d rather find something unique, better quality, and way more affordable than buy something mass-produced that everyone else already has,” she muses. “I also wish people understood that ukay isn’t random, it actually takes an eye. It’s not just digging through racks, it’s knowing what works for you and spotting gems others might miss.”
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