This year’s record-breakers from annual purchases prove Singaporeans do love their shopping! Chasing habitual shopping thrills of what’s latest in fashion, with a new item for your wardrobe, home decor or collection hobby — are retail practices many cherish, and albeit with good intentions to boot. Image Credit: The GoDown Facebook Page, Hornbill stone flower pot stand. An exquisite centrepiece.
However, the saddening fact behind mass production and fast fashion are the harmful repercussions it bears on our planet. Here’s where thrifting plays an easy role to turn-around sustainability!
Sustainable shopping recognises that everything we buy has health, environmental and social impact. Thrift and second-hand stores offer an ideal avenue for notorious shoppers to employ environment-friendly support with sensible shopping alternatives. Expat Choice leads you to popular thrift stores in Singapore, where you can feel good about leading a sustainable lifestyle and meeting affordable prices for your personal needs with pre-owned items.
The Fashion Pulpit
Image Credit: The Fashion Pulpit Facebook Page
Located at Marina one, The Fashion Pulpit is a one-stop-thrift-shop to keep your wardrobe consistently replenished and up to date! Working on a popular swapping model — you simply bring in pre-loved clothes to receive a store evaluation and thereafter gain a number of points (based on the quality of your items), which is then used for your ‘budget’ to shop for new garments with! The store’s membership ranges from one-time swaps for the novice swapper, to a one-year membership for those committed to the long haul!
More than just a destination, this community of like-minded people strive to make fashion a force for good. Join them, as TFP grows and strengthens sustainable values through exciting events, workshops, movie screenings and more.
a. Marina One The Heart, 5 Straits View, 01-04 018935
Hock Siong & Co.
Image Credit: Hock Siong & Co. Facebook Page, Made in UK Chesterfield Wing Chair with Stool
Tucked away in Kampong Ampat, Hock Siong and Co. has grown in popularity over the years, and is currently recognized as one of the best-known stores for second-hand furniture in Singapore. Bearing humble beginnings as a family of karang guni traders since the 1970s, today they have risen as reliable and dexterous dealers of second-hand furniture and antiquities — not just for residential households, but local hotels too!
Come and explore their store space to witness quirky and unique signature pieces on sale — items will predominantly capture your eye, and even better, could suitably spice up your home.
The Godown
Image Credit: The GoDown Facebook Page, 5 Pieces Silver Plated Tea Set
This is one trendy, warehouse-like space, making The Godown highly worth your time to take a look around! With its vast selection of stylized furnishings, lifestyle and vintage collectibles up for display and sale — you’re bound to find something you fancy for home decor additions! Founded by interior designer Audrey Lee, his concept brings wares to people through a beautiful collection of pre-owned items gathered from across the world, that will be loved and treasured for a lifetime.
From re-found discoveries to new — tempting contemporary/ vintage furnishings and home accessories spotted here are hard to resist purchasing immediately.
New2U
Image Credit: New2U Thrift Shop Facebook Page
Ten years ago on Waterloo Street, the New2U thrift shop opened its welcoming doors to consumers! Managed entirely by volunteers from the Singapore Council for Women’s Organisations, some of whom have been lending theirs services for years — this is the perfect place for ladies to pick up a new outfit! The shop sells pre-loved clothing, accessories, household items, ornaments, books and much more! All goods are donated, and prices start from as low as $1.00!
Drop by on weekday mornings and afternoons, or venture on a Sunday shopping spree for their monthly weekend half-price sale! Note, all proceeds go to the non-profit’s Star Shelter, supporting victims of domestic violence, and various SCWO initiatives.
Refash
Image Credit: Refash Facebook Page
Acclaiming to be the best thrift shopping experience online — Refash offers; a wide selection (with hundreds of like-new pieces added on the site weekly), everyday low prices (starting prices of $4.90, ensure you always get the best deals), and 100% fulfilment guarantee (warehouse-based inventory eliminates disappointing experiences). This is your go-to destination to get today’s fashions for a mere fraction of the price!
Walk in to any of their 10 offline stores to find trendy and quality pieces from well-loved brands like; Bonito, Zara, Love, The Editors Market, and Pomelo. Add to your experience by turning in any old clothing (that’s been maintained in good condition) and get paid in store credit or cash.
EcoRing
VIdeo Credit: EcoRing - Singapore's second-hand purchase and sales store
With outlets on Scotts Road, and New Upper Changi Road, EcoRing has a special knack for thrifting with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior. They deal with clothes and accessories amongst more! Concentrating on branded goods puts their prices on a slightly higher side than the average thrift store, but the good news is that they also purchase your old branded goods in almost any condition!
Click and send over photos for a free appraisal, and get your luxury handover adjusted with a decent payout to spend on a new procurement! The store also enables free courier pick-ups and returns.
a. Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-70 228213
s. https://www.facebook.com/EcoRing-Singapore-529635457529256
The Salvation Army Family Stores
Image Credit: Red Shield Industries Facebook Page
One of the biggest and best known charity organisations globally, The Salvation Army has been present in Singapore since 1935. Under their social enterprise arm Red Shield Industries, their thrift stores in Singapore range in sale of items from clothes to books to home furnishings. By re-using, recycling and restoring donations in kind from the public and corporations, the SA team generates income through its Family Stores to support their mission goals for the community.
Out of their 5 outlets, Praisehaven Mega Family Store in Bukit Timah, is undoubtedly the largest store to step into, and the best all-in-one stop for your shopping needs.
Praisehaven Mega Family Thrift Store
a. 500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
e. donor@smm.salvationarmy.org
