All you need to know about thrift shops
Thrift stores, also known as secondhand stores, are absolute havens for those on a budget searching for one of a kind pieces. We live in expensive times, so what’s not to love about having cheaper options that won’t break the bank?
They have everything from fashion items to home appliances, you name it.
What are the different things you can find?
One of the biggest reasons for why thrifting is back on trend is because of the endless clothing options. It’s definitely a cheaper way to change up your style and try new things without the commitment and breaking the bank, which is why many youngsters are drawn to it nowadays.
Besides all things apparel, you can also find bags, old books, furniture, home decor, appliances, and everything else in between. All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for the greatest deals and finds.
Common misconceptions of thrift shopping
Although thrift stores nowadays have been gaining better rep amongst the younger generation, there are still common misconceptions surrounding the nature of thrifting.
Most donated clothes are all worn out and dirty
It’s true that modern thrift stores today may not be as bright and vibrant like the stores you see in shopping malls, but the things you’ll find here are far from worn out. The most you’ll get are used items but are still in quite a good condition.
In fact, most thrift stores accepting clothes as donations require the clothes to be washed beforehand and most not have any stains, tears or rips. If you’re lucky, you may even spot brand new items that still have the tag on them!
It’s hard to find clothes at a thrift store
This could be the first thing that pops in your head when you walk into a thrift shop. It could be an overwhelming sight, with heaps and heaps of clothes or perhaps furniture items. Despite the number of clothes you’ll encounter, it’s not true that you’ll have a hard time finding something you like.
For clothes, they are usually categorised and organised by type and even by size, sometimes. What you may be expecting from the thrifting experience is digging through piles of clothes, but the reality is that it can be quite a pleasant and organised hunt.
Why should you buy from thrift stores?
It’s good for the planet
Most items that are sold at these stores are actually donations made from their previous owners, which can either be lightly used or entirely brand new. The great thing about how the concept of thrift shops work is that it prevents these items from ending up in landfills to become waste.
We’re not just talking about textile waste, but other forms of waste as well from books, furniture, and other unwanted items. When you buy something from a secondhand store, you’re essentially giving that item a new lease of life and saving it from ending up in a landfill at the same time.
Items are far more affordable
Not only are thrift stores good for the planet, but they are also good for your wallet. If you’re looking to reduce your spending or are strapped for cash, thrift shops are the ideal place for hunting. Instead of purchasing a brand new item at a store at full price, you may find a similar item for a much cheaper price.
Sometimes curated thrift shops that focus on a specific style, like streetwear or vintage wear, will feature branded or luxury items in their collections that are far more affordable than its original retail price. Who knows, you could find a classic Chanel piece for a fraction of the price. Saving the environment while saving money — it’s like hitting two birds with one stone.
The items are one-of-a-kind
With thrift stores constantly changing their selection of items regularly due to the influx of donations, expect your finds to be unique and one-of-a-kind. The thrifted items are usually changed every week or bi-weekly — more frequent than most fast fashion stores that only switch up their collections by the season.
These pieces, whether they’re a piece of clothing or furniture would also make for the perfect conversation starter. Instead of potentially seeing someone on the street wearing the same clothes as you, you can count on the fact that there will never be more than one of the same item at a thrift store. You know what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
You will be helping out a charitable cause
In Singapore and other parts of the world, most thrift stores are run by charitable causes or non-profit organisations. For instance, the New2U Thrift Shop along Waterloo Street is run by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) while Something Old Something New Thrift Shop is run by the Singapore Anglican Community Services.
When you support these thrift stores, chances are the money that you spend will go directly to helping these organisations that will benefit them in various ways. It could be used to pay for the monthly rental of the establishment, help with a fundraising event, or even go towards the less fortunate.
You are helping thrift store owners directly
If a thrift store isn’t owned by a non-profit organisation or charitable causes, chances are it may be owned by a regular store owner. Becoming an owner of a secondhand store of any sort will always be a gamble because unlike fast-fashion retailers, there is no certainty that you will indeed make a sale.
Most thrift shop owners set up their stores from money out of their own pockets. By supporting their business, not only will help to keep their business alive but you will also be helping them sustain their source of livelihood.
Thrift Shop |
The Fashion Pulpit |
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About |
The Fashion Pulpit is a social enterprise that aims to promote environmental education and awareness in the field of fashion. Our platform is open to the public, as we encourage consumers to extend the lifespan of fashion items and minimise textile waste. Not only can you swap items that you no longer want from your own wardrobe, but you can bring home some brand new pre-loved pieces in exchange for that. On top of swapping, you can also attend upcycling and styling workshops as well! |
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Website |
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| Address |
5 Straits View Marina One The Heart |
| Operating Hours |
Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am – 7:00pm |
Thrift Shop |
New2U Thrift Shop |
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About |
Popular among the students from art schools in the area, this thrift shop is tucked away at Waterloo Street within the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisation (SCWO). Proceeds from your purchases will go towards supporting SCWO’s work in Singapore. While the space itself isn’t very big, it is packed with loads of gems, with apparel going as cheap as S$1. |
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Website |
https://www.scwo.org.sg/what-we-do/facilities/new2u-thrift-shop/ |
| Address |
96 Waterloo Street |
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Operating Hours |
Monday – Friday: 10.30 am – 2.30 pm |
Thrift Shop |
Praise Haven Mega Family Store |
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About |
Befitting 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 visiting include Bukit Timah and Serangoon; these mega stores not only cater to the fashion junkie – expect one-off designer coats, vintage shoes and 70s sunnies – but also fans of vintage furnishings. |
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Website |
www.salvationarmy.org/singapore/red_shield_industries |
| Address |
500 Upp Bukit Timah Rd |
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Telephone |
6349 5302 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday – Thursday: 10:00am – 6:00pm |
Thrift Shop |
Something Old Something New |
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About |
Something Old Something New (SOSN) is a social enterprise thrift shop selling preloved items and a platform to train and equip persons recovering from mental health issues with retail and logistic skills to boost their employability. SOSN is a “green” enterprise which operates with the “reduce, reuse and recycle” principles. |
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Website |
https://sacs.org.sg/social-enterprises/something-old-something-new-sosn.html |
| Address |
7 stores across Singapore |
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Telephone |
6812 0879 |
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Operating Hours |
Varies depending on the outlet |
Thrift Shop |
Refash |
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About |
Refash is the largest thrift store brand in Singapore with thousands of like-new styles from your favourite brands at up to 70% off estimated retail. They add hundreds of new items on-site and at our outlets islandwide, and make sure that everything they sell is in such good shape anyone could mistake them as brand new. They deliver a boutique-like experience, along with impeccable service. Find high-quality used women’s clothing from fashionable closets just like yours. |
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Website |
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| Address |
Various outlets nationwide |
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Operating Hours |
Varies depending on the outlet |
Thrift Shop |
MINDS Shop |
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About |
Providing pre-vocational training to the intellectually disabled, Minds Shop 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. There are four stores islandwide, with each store carrying a unique range of furniture, clothes, collectables and houseware. All proceeds go to the MINDS trainees as allowance. |
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Website |
http://www.minds.org.sg/Shop |
| Address |
Various outlets nationwide |
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Operating Hours |
Varies depending on the outlet |
Thrift Shop |
Playdate Store |
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About |
Following in its sister company, The Fashion Pulpit’s footsteps, Playdate store aims to make sustainable fashion to you through a digital thrift. Playdate is founded on the same principles as The Fashion Pulpit, championing sustainability-focused principles and values, all while keeping it stylish. All items are preloved and are marked at reasonable and affordable prices. |
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Website |
https://www.instagram.com/playdatestore/ |
| Address |
5 Straits View Marina One The Heart |
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Operating Hours |
Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am – 7:00pm |
Thrift Shop |
Dustbunny Vintage |
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About |
Dustbunny Vintage specializes in timeless designs that are finely constructed for its day. We ship worldwide. This vintage veteran is a treasure trove of affordable designer gems.
We’re talking a stellar collection of Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, and YSL bags. Dustbunny’s selection of non-designer vintage goods is great, too. Browse through the racks and you’ll find ‘60s style shirtdresses, floaty maxi dresses, and gorgeous cocktail frocks.
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/dustbunnyvintageshop/ |
| Address |
2A Keong Saik Road |
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Telephone |
6222 0116
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Operating Hours |
Monday – Friday: 12:30pm – 8:30pm |
Thrift Shop |
Style Tribute |
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About |
For luxury brand lovers, get your haute couture fix at Style Tribute where second-hand high-end goods are sold at lower-than-original prices. Shop authentic goods online with just a click of the button to get them delivered to your doorsteps. With anything from Chanel to Louis Vuitton, these items are highly coveted with authenticity and excellent condition guaranteed. Still unsure of it? Make a trip down to their next pop-up or warehouse sale and take a look at items for yourself. |
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Website |
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| Address |
102F Pasir Panjang Road, Citilink Warehouse Complex #04-07 |
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Telephone |
9159 3853 |
Thrift Shop |
Dark Horse Vintage |
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About |
Dark Horse Vintage carries a range of modern vintage-inspired collections as well as a range of true vintage apparels including vintage accessories that are unique, quirky & one-of-a-kind. Vintage items are handpicked and curated for its distinctive style, quality and detail as well as its pristine condition. Each collection is proudly designed in Singapore and carries the Made-in-Singapore label. |
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Website |
https://darkhorsevintage.com/ |
| Address |
31 Arab Street |
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Telephone |
6291 0118 |
Thrift Shop |
Loop Garms |
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About |
It all started as a hobby of collecting vintage memorabilia when a trip to Japan inspired two youths, FJ Sai and Isaac Ang to open a physical store in Singapore. Experience a blast from the past as you peruse its curated collection of the ’80s and ’90s apparel like plaid shirts (and pants), graphic tees and sports jackets from your favourite sports brands like Nike, Adidas, Fila and more. |
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/loopgarms/ |
| Address | #01-148, 635 Veerasamy Rd |
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Operating Hours |
12:00pm – 7:30pm daily (except Wednesdays) |
Thrift Shop |
Exit Co. |
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About |
Exit was born out of the lack of vintage clothing stores in Singapore by three friends, Aloyston Eng, Darren Yang and Charmaine Lim who have been retro fashion enthusiasts since they were 17. With the opening of several vintage stores in Singapore, they hope to create a community for like-minded people to get together. |
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Website |
https://exit-co.store/ |
| Address | Orchard Plaza #05-27, 150 Orchard Rd |
Thrift Shop |
Shop+ – Singapore Red Cross |
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About |
Carrying a wide range of clothes and even selling things on Carousell now, the Red Cross thrift shop is the thrift shop you never knew you needed. While prices are not cheap because of the designer labels that they hold, they are significantly marked down from the original prices. On top of the already marked-down prices, they do host sales and special events that mark prices down even more. |
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Website |
https://www.redcross.sg/donate-now/shop |
| Address | 62 Jalan Khairuddin & 15 Penang Lane |
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Operating Hours |
Varies depending on the outlet |
Thrift Shop |
Hock Siong & Co. |
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About |
This might just be the oldest thrift store of them all having originated in the 1970s. At Hock Siong & Co, you’ll be able to find anything that your heart desires. From chairs, beds and tables to linen, posters and small knick-knacks, Hock Siong’s got your back. They are also a company focused on minimising waste and will choose to repurpose, modify and refurbish items instead of throwing them out if possible. You can choose to buy their items As-Is or get them refurbished for an additional charge. |
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Website |
https://www.hocksiong.com.sg/ |
| Address | 153 Kampong Ampat |
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Telephone |
6281 8338 |
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Operating Hours |
9:00am – 5:00pm daily |
Thrift Shop |
Cash Converters |
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About |
What began in 1984 as a single store retail operation in Perth, Western Australia, is today a dynamic and fast-expanding the international franchise with over 530 stores in 24 countries across the globe. The name says it all. Convert your cash to some amazing second-hand products. The best part about every Cash Converters Centre is the uniqueness attached to each location. As each outlet has a consistent set of donors, you get access to special products from each outlet. |
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Website |
https://www.cashconverters.sg/ |
| Address | Various outlets nationwide |
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Telephone |
67448682 |
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Operating Hours |
Varies depending on the outlet |
Thrift Shop |
The Heritage Shop |
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About |
The Heritage Shop at Jalan Sultan is a special place with the nicest couple who run the place. If hoarding is a habit, then you’ll love this place as it’s stacked from the bottom to the top, filled with antique products. This typically quiet 900-sq-foot store is replete with rare old lamps, typewriters, vinyl, signboards, radios, books, photographs, postcards and tin cans—mostly from the 30s through the 70s. They also welcome avid collectors, proud home/business owners and everyone who appreciates a little nostalgia like us. |
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/theheritageshopsg/ |
| Address | #01-01 93 Jalan Sultan |
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Telephone |
6223 7982 |
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Operating Hours |
12:00pm – 7:00pm daily |
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