Cop a serious secondhand steal or two at these thrift shops in Singapore when you're rummaging for retro finds.In a city bursting at the seams with fab shopping, it’s little surprise that our island is also teeming with secondhand stores for incredible pre-loved goods. We love the thrill of a good thrift; dig a little deeper and you may just unearth a swishy vintage dress or a one-of-a-kind, Pinterest-worthy gem. All it takes is a little sleuthing and a clever eye for a good bargain. From mega charity consignment stores to old school furniture finds, we’ve sussed out all our favourite thrift shops in Singapore. Happy hunting! Show
Thrift shops in Singapore1. The Luggage MarketIf you’re looking for a true blue bargain, this is the place to be. Hosted every Sunday, people gather with their luggage full of clothes to sell at ridiculously low prices. You can find goodies out here starting as low as $2, and if you get to the clearance hour, everything is sold at just $1. If you have some clothes that you’re thinking of giving away, you can score yourself a booth to clear out your wardrobe. The best part? The Luggage Market takes any of your unsold items for recycling, so you don’t have to lug a half-full suitcase back home. Thrifting can be pretty exhausting with the number of booths that get set up at The Luggage Market though, so take some notes from our list of thrifting tips. 2. Thrifty TrendzFor the vibe of a typical American Goodwill, go to Thrifty Trendz. The place is chock full of surprises hidden in every nook and cranny of the shop. There are boxes and drawers filled with colourful and old-school accessories. You can find branded products here too, reduced to clear. There’s even a changing room available for you if you find a piece you really love and want to try it on before taking it home. 3. Salvation Army Family Thrift StoresBefitting its reputation as the most well-known thrift shop of the bunch, Salvation Army’s Family Thrift Stores also charge the most, so bring wads of cash if you’re planning to splurge. Outlets worth traipsing across the island for include Bukit Timah and Tanglin Road. These mega stores not only cater to the fashion junkie but also to fans of vintage furnishings. Expect one-off designer coats, vintage shoes and 70s sunnies. 4. New2U Thrift ShopPhotography: New2U Thrift Shop via FacebookA fave amongst hipsters and bargain-loving hunters, New2U Thrift Shop is a treasure trove of hidden gems like past-season designer goods or pre-loved statement pieces for your best secondhand shopping experiences. All proceeds from the sales go to Star Shelter, a refuge for victims of domestic violence, or the various Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) initiatives including The Women’s Register, a platform for mentoring young women. 5. Something Old, Something NewChances are, even the most seasoned of thrifters may not have heard about this no-frills consignment store. Not only does it strive to care for the Earth by reusing goods and reducing waste, it also trains and employs people recovering from mental health issues. The scores of racks boasting vintage finds are a little chaotic but stay patient, you’ll likely be duly rewarded. 6. Minds ShopProviding pre-vocational training to the intellectually disabled, Minds offers an ever-evolving array of goodies, including home decor, clothing and accessories. Prices are usually kept below $10, with (reasonable) bargaining allowed for certain items. While there are outlets in Woodlands, the go-to locale is Margaret Drive. It’s the biggest and houses the largest assortment of knick-knacks. 7. Shop+Offering much more than just secondhand clothes and shoes is Shop+, an extension of the Singapore Red Cross organisation. This store started with a humble mission of wanting to better the community through the sale of its items. Expect to find other goodies like electronics, branded watches, sunglasses, household items and more. There’s something for everyone! Trash or Treasure?8. The Heritage ShopFrom tiffin carriers to Milo cans, this shop holds a whole lot of history. Photography: The Heritage ShopBefitting its name, this secondhand thrift shop in Singapore is all about our heritage. Take a journey through the country’s history with its packed shelves of knick-knacks – think newspaper broadsheets from years’ past, old school tiffin carriers, oil lamps, chamber pots and even women’s magazines from the age of Malaya. Style Fabulous vintage fashion shops we love9. Odds and CollectablesCall us biased, but we’ve got a soft spot for this hole-in-the-wall secondhand shopping store located on one of our favourite cafe-populated streets, Telok Ayer. Admittedly, the range is a little dizzying, with all sorts of items stuffed into the space. But if you look hard enough, you may find cool trinkets like vintage enamel trays, posters and even mini peacock chairs! 10. Tong Mern SernYou can’t miss this sign on Craig Road!It’s hard to miss Tong Mern Sern – its shopfront is adorned with the bright yellow banner above, which never fails to get a chuckle from us. Depending on your luck, the famous junk shop has countless treasures to uncover, including antique armoires, stone irons, porcelain China plates and kerosene lamps. Looking for something specific? Approach the elderly uncles, and don’t forget to bargain! 11. Junkie’s CornerTrue to its name, this is one store where you can find anything and everything. It’s packed to the rafters with all sorts of junk and gems, including furniture from all eras, beautifully refurbished pieces and oddball knick-knacks you never knew you needed. Some haggling can be done, but be sure to bring wads of cash and a sharp eye! This one’s a little out of the way, so think of it as a real treasure hunt. Just make sure to clear your boot space beforehand. Legit vintage…12. VintagewkndPhotography: Vintagewknd via FacebookThis online brand took social media by storm with its huge collection of vintage apparel and accessories. It’s all about upcycling and creating sustainable fashion. For those who are getting into their Y2K era, you can find pieces to add to your wardrobe and your vibe here. The team is also constantly on the move, so make sure you keep up with them on social media to get wind of the next pop-up or the newest releases. 13. Dark Horse VintagePhotography: Dark Horse Vintage via FacebookIf it’s a one-of-a-kind vintage dress you’re looking for, this is the place. Founder Jasmine scours the world for quirky additions to her Dark Horse boutique. While her physical secondhand store in Singapore may have closed, the online store still carries its spirit with 70s knee-length floral dresses, printed tops, quirky vests and more, perfect for some secondhand shopping adventure. Or plan an afternoon browsing through a range of curated unique vintage accessories at Le Salon or unique one-off pieces at The Eclectic Room. 14. Style TributeConscious about your ever-growing wardrobe? Perhaps skip the new and go old school with Style Tribute’s vintage designer clothes. You can easily browse online for apparel and accessories by the likes of Chloe, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Alexander Wang and Fendi. The best part? Your entire family can get in on the shopping spree, with collections for men and kids too. 15. Deja Vu VintagePhotography: Deja Vu Vintage via FacebookAs Deja Vu Vintage so delicately puts it, it’s had enough of “mass-produced fashion cloning”. The store is a cut above the rest, with stylish personally selected pieces imported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan. As you do some secondhand shopping, take your time to rifle through the tailored and timeless outfits displayed neatly on the elegant, spacious shelves. The range includes designer pieces by Carolina Herrera, Moschino and even Oscar De La Renta. 16. Loop GarmsStreetwear your thing? Hit up this cosy store for a trip back to the 80s and 90s with racks of cool tees that are old but gold. Think comic characters, band merch, vintage sportswear (we see you, Nike and Adidas!) and even football jerseys. 17. Dustbunny VintagePhotography: Dustbunny Vintage via FacebookWe simply could not exclude Dustbunny Vintage from the list – the vintage veteran is filled with affordable gems. You have the option to shop vintage or shop labels, depending on what you want to go for. Grab a new statement piece with the array of accessories they have, bags and purses in colourful designs, or a new dress. You can even get a dress tailored to your size with them! So what are you waiting for? Cop your pre-loved gems at these thrift shops in Singapore! Where can I find good stuff at the thrift?10 Tips for Finding the Thrift Store Treasures. Go in with the right mindset—it's about finding a treasure. ... . Look through everything. ... . Know your fabrics. ... . If it looks even remotely interesting, throw it in the cart. ... . Assess the competition. ... . Go often, and right when the store opens. ... . Don't forget the men's or kid's sections.. Is there thrifting in Singapore?Shop sustainably while snagging some great finds at one of these Singapore-based thrift stores. Thrift shopping has grown immensely in global popularity, and even has Singapore hooked. In a city known for its fantastic luxury shopping, Singapore also is teeming with just as amazing secondhand shops.
Where can I find rare items at thrift stores?How to Find Rare and Valuable Items at Thrift Stores. Go at the Right Time of Day. ... . Specialize in a Few Items. ... . Search for the Best Brands of the Specialized Items. ... . Focus on Certain Areas First. ... . Examine the Items Thoroughly. ... . Purchase Items Even if You Are Unsure About the Price. ... . Know When is the Best Season to Go.. Why has thrifting become so expensive?A lot of thrift stores saw an increase in new thrift shoppers after the pandemic. Seeing an increase in seasoned and rookie thrift shoppers; has resulted in inflated thrift store prices. In addition, a lot of offline thrift stores are still trying to catch up financial wise, after being closed for months in 2022.
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