Black clothes are the story of the week -- the colour is now an essential. Demand has shot up, sometimes along with prices, while the frustration and debate over wearing a black or non-black wardrobe continues.
We have surveyed the main markets and malls in Bangkok, namely Platinum in Pratunam, Siam Square and Soi Lalai Sap on Silom. It seems that black will continue to dominate the racks for months to come, according to vendors, while the initial concern over price will soon give way to the creativity of style and fabric.
Supattra Kaewudom, a shopkeeper selling female fashion, said that Platinum Mall -- an affordable shopping quarter in Pratunam -- was quite empty the week before due to rain. But now in addition to foreigners on their shopping trips, the mall has seen a huge number of mourning locals. The place was packed even on Monday.
"Women now come looking for blouses, dresses, skirts and trousers in black. Make that total black. No stripes and patterns. No white, either. Many just want something very polite and appropriate during this period. But that's also up to the dress code of their workplace. Some aren't as strict," reported Supattra, 38, who sells each item in her shop for 200 baht.
Anything from T-shirts (with print or no print), long-sleeved tops, polo shirts, blouses to trousers and skirts are on display at all shops in Platinum. The more colourful items are shoved to the back for the time being.
Still, that doesn't mean colourful clothes aren't flying off their racks. The shopkeeper said she still sells garments in lighter colours to foreigners, and even a minority of Thai teens and office ladies.
A more unisex choice, black T-shirts are a popular casual item that suit children, men, women and the elderly. While some come plainly with no text or pictures, some are emblazoned with the Thai traditional number "9", or even phrases such as "I wish to be your servant in every lifetime" or "Seeing HM the King off to heaven" printed in white.
A shop near Tha Chang pier now sells a polo shirt for 250 baht and T-shirt for 180 baht. Pattramon Sukprasert
The price -- depending on size, fabric and prints -- can start from 100 baht in the Pratunam area and street markets in different provinces.
In more high-end areas like Siam Square, the price is comparatively higher. Similar styles of dresses could start from 200-300 baht, while the price of black shirts can cost 200 baht. Random shops near the Grand Palace and surrounding areas offer black T-shirts from 100-180 baht.
Sornsri Somkum, 31, an employee who travelled from Chiang Mai to pay the King her respects, dropped by Siam shopping district on her way to Sanam Luang. She was looking for something decent to wear for the evening.
"I didn't bring any black shirts with me," she said as she bought a pair of trousers and long-sleeve shirts. While she chose not to disclose the price of her new wardrobe, she said they were rather expensive.
"There weren't many styles to choose from to my liking either," Sornsri said. But while black is primarily an expression of grief, the colour scheme can be sported as a mark of elegance. Revamping the closet in this palette shouldn't flatten the wallet either.
At Soi Lalai Sap (meaning "Melt Your Fortune") on Silom, the outdoor market is lined with stalls offering cheap clothes at 200-300 baht. Higher quality and fashionable Korean-style clothing can also be found in this shopping maze typically flooded by office workers during lunchtime.
"In department stores, black dresses cost thousands of baht whereas our dresses are priced from 800-1,000 baht," said Ying, an owner of a stall retailing vintage, Japanese- and Korean-style outfits.
"The timeless designs don't vary that much but the fabrics are lighter or thicker according to the season," she said. "The emphasis is more on the cut to give the dresses a silhouette that helps wearers appear slimmer."
Black dresses and blouses are much sought after. Melalin Mahavongtrakul
Mostly serving regular customers, the small boutique store cannot yet cater to increasing demand due to the mourning period, because factories are running out of black fabric.
The shop Cinderella's Closet specialises in Korean street fashion, previously stocking colourful designs with the darkest being in navy blue. The stall now mainly displays black and white pieces, from vintage lace tops to casual jumpsuits, costing from around 350-900 baht.
"We will be wearing black for a year, thus the wardrobe should carry a variety of black clothing for different occasions," said the stall vendor.
New black and white collections have been ordered to cater for demand, she added, with the trendy Korean-style clothing also available online at the Lady Ribbon website.
Due to the recent price hike of black shirts in some markets, the government has since put out a regulation that a maximum price of unbranded clothing shouldn't exceed about 200 baht for a T-shirt, 250 baht for a polo shirt and 350 baht for a long-sleeved shirt. If found violating this regulation, merchants could be fined and jailed. Overpricing can now be reported at hotline 1569.
Korean-style dresses at Cinderella's Closet in Soi Lalai Sap market.
Some shops have run out of black shirts due to strong demand. Thiti Wannamontha
