Whoopee is being tardy with the JBRs. Here are my shopping comments.
The Animale Factory Outlets in Seminyak & Kuta each had very different things, so I was glad I went to both - bought lovely, unusual tops from both. Whoopee bought a stunning, classy winter outfit for a fantastic price at the Seminyak shop. Animale outlets are always my first stop in Bali.
Wandering towards Kuta Square from the Kuta Animale Factory Outlet I came across a jewellery shop on the left where I got necklaces with lots of things hanging off for Rp65K each - stunning & they were much appreciated gifts. Matching dangly earrings, too.
Every trip I have bought at least one thing from Jacques Ruc but this year the prices were outrageous - A$80 for a basic spotted cotton smock even I could run up in a few hours. Shoes, jewellery also overpriced. Wasted effort going there. Don't bother. Pity.
Staying in Seminyak near Jl Laksmana was disappointing for shopping (excellent for food though). Sooo exey. Just about everything in $US. Loved looking in Paul Ropp - ah, if only I was much younger, very much thinner & waaay richer. Spectacular clothes - like going to a gallery, works of art, many of them.
There is absolutely no one in those uber exey shops. Do they rely on one rich dill a week? Beats me. My Mum had clothes shops in Sydney - so I do think about viability & turnover.
But the Seminyak stretch from JL 66 northwards is a shoppers' heaven.
The Seminyak/Legian border area is also great for shopping. Bought heaps of fabric lengths in Jl 66 - loved them at the time but now, home, WHAT will I do with them? The Bali thing - what looks fab in Bali could look tacky back home. And they do.
Unagi was good for fixed price nick nacks & easy shopping but I wouldn't bother making the long trek there unless you have a lot of shopping to do for such things. Whoopee bought up big but she has a 13yo daughter with a very active social life - masses of girly things there for b'day pressies etc. I was thrilled to get some green ceramic banana leaf dishes & a matching vase. Glad we went (on the way home from a day out) but I wouldn't bother getting a car & driver just to go there. Nothing special. Basically cheap things for cheap prices.
Ubud was good. Don't bother going to the Markets in the arvo - mornings only before the many tour buses & day trippers arrive. Ubud is very busy from about 11 am til 4 pm then quiet.
Whoopee had hurt her foot badly & my morning mission was to get her a walking stick. Some young guys about my 22yo son's age basking in the morning sun pointed me to a nearby shop - got a lovely walking stick for a price that my young mentors said was a very good morning price. Found some large, very dark green ceramic banana leaf serving dishes - the price was 1/3 of what the same shop asked last year - morning prices definitely better.
Also in Ubud at Studio Perak I found a flat silver Buddha pendant that was exactly what my husband had been looking for for years. Fixed price and after buying my banana leaf dishes, W's walking stick & meds, some body scrubs etc I tipped my purse onto the counter & had precisely Rp1K in coins left over - karma. He is pleased.
BTW Studio Perak does silver making courses, some especially for kids 8yo & over - they make a ring they keep.
I bought a range of hair care products from Johnny Andrean in Kartika Plaza - tried them out & very happy with them. $2ish each - at least the equivalent of what I pay $20-30 for here. Going back in late Oct/Nov for 6 days with my son & I will definitely buy bulk.
Candi Kuning Markets were great for spices & pashminas (Rp50K each). Vanilla beans incredibly cheap.
S'all.
Heather