Miss Gladys Sym Choon

Miss Gladys has been a fashion icon destination in Adelaide for many years. You know it is a good store when they have kept the doors open for so long. They have a following! If you want to know what the newest fashion is and what is on the runway, Miss Gladys is your destination.
You will find all the latest designer clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women in this store. Some items that are safe and then others more daring. I like a mixture of both!
One thing I love about this store is that all of the items are stocked and displayed in colour coordination. I don’t know if that sounds a little OCD; but I have a thing about colour coordination. I find, that by stocking the items in this way, the customers will see what matches each other. It is almost as if the clothing is styled in the areas it is stocked. Smart? Yes!
Ms Gladys is my number one destination when I have to get a new pair of sunglasses and shoes. I find that the collection here is very unique in Adelaide. They generally stock items that you cannot find anywhere else. This really shows that they have their finger on the pulse of fashion outlets in Adelaide.
Price wise, my thoughts are that the items are priced well for designer clothing. Some items are a real bargain, and others are priced at what they should be for the banding. But, to grab a bargain, don’t forget to check out the sale rack in front of the store. They usually have one set up in the street to lure you in! Works every time!
Final thing to mention about this store is the staff. The staff always go out of their way to be helpful and find what you need. This store is three stories high, so it is worth getting help if you need it. They know where everything is! But, what I love is that they are not intrusive in your browsing. I don’t feel hassled (like I do in other stores) when I am just having a look. They know the right time to approach you if needed.
I will never stop recommending this store to my friends and family. Especially if they are looking for an outfit for a special day. If you want to stand out in a crowd, get your threads from Miss Gladys!

Gladys has always been on the fashion high street of Adelaide and a part of my fashion journey. From the days when I was wearing leggings with docs, an oversized jumper and a scrunchy in my hair (ok yes that was last month) and dating back to the 90’s when I was buying a formal dress, the staff and selection of unique fashion items has been superb.
From an outer glance you might be mistaken into thinking you can only afford the sleeve of a dress or jacket at Miss Gladys as the clothes and shoes look quite high end. But trust me, it isn’t just the under $ 30 sale rack out front in summer that holds the only bargains in store.
I have bought winter boots at 25% off, snug jeans at 50% off, gloves and a formal dress here and all have withstood the test of time. You won’t find 20 of the same style top here so do be prepared for a proper browse and also do let the staff help you. They are very complimentary (I love it when people tell you that you look good in something) and very attentive.
I hope to see Miss Gladys and her unique international and Aussie brands still selling on Rundle St in another 90 years time!

Gladys Sym Choon is a must visit during a Rundle Mall or Rundle Street shopping trip.
They carry a kooky collection of clothing, shoes, accessories and eveningwear for men and women with prices ranging from moderate to pricey. While some of the clothing is too alternative for my tastes, they always have a great stock of premium jeans and footware.
The unusual store layout is also reason to visit. The store is spread over three levels, with womansware, mensware and a selection of shoes on the ground floor, womans’ eveningware on the first floor and a greater selection of shoes on the second floor.
Finally, the level of customer service here is satisfactoy. The sales assistants are quick and fairly helpful if approached, but are not overly friendly nor go out of their way offer assistance.

The day my oldest friend introduced me to the wondrous Miss Gladys, my eyes almost popped out of my head.
Walking through the front door itself is a little event and perusing the racks is a treat for the Adelaide gents and ladies who like to steer clear of the mega clothing franchised. Miss Gladys covers most styles and price ranges and I’ve bought some neat clothes on sale and some absolute steals at full price.
The shoe range is excellent and I’ve found some that all of my footwear comes from this awesome store. The level three shoe sale/​extravaganza always makes me feel ridiculously happy as I’ve picked up some of last seasons soles for half price if not better. Staff are ever so lovely and the boys in particular have helped me when picking out bits and bobs for the guys in my life.
My favourite store in Adelaide and the first port of call on any shopping trip into town.

This boutique is one of my all time favorite shops in Adelaide. Yes it is pricey, but there are some brands in here that I love, Custo Barcelona being one of them.
The name of this multi-​level shop originates from its history being a Chinese import shop in its heyday. It now stocks trendy clothing for men & women as well as accessories. Club goers rejoice!
Be sure to bring your credit card! Style does not come cheap.

Going through Miss Gladys Sym Choon is like rummaging through a treasure chest — so many styles, so little time!
Located on Rundle St, don’t expect this store to be cheap, but you can still find a good bargain or two for sure.
The staff are great, stylish and friendly. They’re always ready to provide fashion advice to those who aren’t sure about their picks, and can guide you through the store walking backwards with their eyes closed.
The shoe section is pretty wacky and eccentric, but sometimes aren’t always in the best form — I guess so many people have tried them on, they’ve worn out before being purchased.
The front section of the store is where you’ll find the more eccentric pieces — enjoy!
Towards the back of the store there’s also a mens section. I once bought a tophat for my super fashionable gay bestie’s birthday, and it was the only top hat I’ve come across that didn’t look cheesy. In fact, it looked amazing. And more amazing on him, I might add.
On the top floor are your cocktail and formal dresses. I’ve found a couple of good dresses here but some, like the shoes, aren’t in the best state.
From shoes to dresses to goth key rings to top hats, you’ll find anything and everything in here.

23/​12/​2011
If there’s one thing that turns on a sophisticated Aussie gentleman like me is a hot girl, with a hot body, in a sexy hot dress. Miss Gladys Sym Choon provided that for me.
A sexy girl in a sexy dress is a certainty to be spotted at least once in a visit to Rundle Mall, Adelaide. Come here on any given weekday and you’ll believe me. It’s only a matter of time before you suddenly turn your head towards that girl’s direction… I remember an American businessman friend of mine that told me, «When I visited Australia for the first time, and I saw how beautiful Aussie women were, I knew it was highly likely that I could get into trouble. And I’m married.» This isn’t an understatement. I’ve fallen victim to the lure of Aussie women several times before.
I especially loved the music that was playing. It’s hard not to like a store when they have a playlist of a Sade song, followed by ‘World Tour’ by ‘A Tribe Called Quest’.
Frilly at the top, and skimpy and tight around the waist and legs. The prices are higher than usual, and you can get far classier dresses for a lower price. Miss Gladys Sym Choon still deserves a lot of credit for its designs from the Malaysian designer. Although designs can be simple and of one bright colour (my top two colours from this store are bright red or metallic black), there are other items on offer, and you’ve gotta appreciate that they’ve allocated a generous section for menswear too. Though not the best on prices, Miss Gladys Sym Choon do dresses very, very well. It was funny, because once I asked the shop assistant for a sexy dress, he was on fire and picked out five different colours without any hesitation! The other girls downstairs saw what was happening and they laughed when I said, «She’s tryin’, I’m buyin!’» LOL
For those of us blokes who randomly suddenly get a testosterone hit while shopping, Miss Gladys Sym Choon will cause your jaws to drop. Thank you so much. The best way to end my day. I left there thinking, «Damn girl, you looked sexy in those tight dresses. Sexy, sexy, sexy.»
This store, like the Sade song, «gave me a kiss of life.»

I love this sexy vixen! Not for the clothes (or shoes) god no, for starters I’m not a size zero so none of it fits me anyway, I come for the entertainment value. I delight in fossicking through the racks, whooping with glee at the next weird-​ass piece I’ve discovered and forcing my bestie to put on that hat, yes that one, put it on godamnit! It’s like a willy-​wonka treasure hunt, equal parts fun and scary, scary shit! You’ve at least gotta have a browse, smack it on your bucket list now. In a nutshell — meet the little lady!

I have yet to decide whether I love or hate this shop. However, I seem to find myself back there constantly so it must be pretty good. The clothing range is quite bizarre, you walk in and are faced with two walls of reasonably priced mainstream brand female clothes. Further on there is more expensive male and female clothes. This more expensive range is very eclectic, I have seen everything from kimono like dresses to tutus. Venture up to the second level of the shop and there is a large range of formal dresses. I want to say they are slightly tacky, but I have seen a few amazing ones go through there.
Now what makes Miss Gladys amazing is their range of shoes. I may have a slight shoe obsession, but Miss Gladys has the best range of female shoes in Adelaide. They have brands that I have only ever encountered online and in other capital cities. Once I excitedly bought a pair, of what I thought were exclusive, shoes in Sydney and returned to find them in this shop. Very recently they have began to stock Jeffrey Campbells, which if you know much about shoes is the current trend amongst youth and online fashion blogs. Until now Adelaidians could only get them online.
I say go to Miss Gladys if you want a piece of clothing that is a bit different, or a new pair of perfect shoes.

It’s a little bit Lady Gaga. especially in the shoe department, hooves anyone?
While I love it, I avoid Miss Gladys Sym Choon like the plague.
This is because this store calls for decisions, decisions that are seemingly simple and yet I just can’t make them so I stand there like an idiot for an age. I’m talking accessories: shall I have the hat or the earrings, I could have both, yes let’s get both, isn’t that a bit ridiculous? Limit your spending woman!!! and so on.
There is huge variety in this store and if you’re not careful, you’ll spend the best part of the day in there. Even if you’re broke, in the days of credit cards, you will not come out empty handed, it’s a jungle in there.
Touch expensive I believe but boutique stores on Rundle st usually are and this one is just a little bit more vivacious and wacky.

Miss Gladys’ emporium has long been an Adelaide institution, since 1923 in fact. Taken over in the 80s by Joff and Razak, this store was revamped from its outdated presentation to be a beacon of Adelaide fashion. In addition to sourcing interesting and designer items the place also fosters many seamstresses and tailors, having their handiwork up for grabs.
The place is three levels of clothing, shoes and accessories and is where the cool would purchase their hip and unique ensembles. Like most stores on Rundle Street, Miss Gladys does not cater to the more robust figure and certainly not mine, so I would not really shop there for my clothes. They don’t cater to my abundance of foot (size 11) either, but if they did I’d be hoofing it in there as their shoes are certainly interesting and unique.