Big clothing companies and online stores with fast fashion have been dominating the fashion community for a while. From luxury to mass market brands, people are consuming too many clothes due to the ever-changing trends. This is a problem because textile waste is a huge environmental issue that can be solved through thrifting.
Thrifting is an effective way to reduce overconsumption of clothes and other items like accessories. By buying second-hand clothes, you “extend its life cycle.” Sustainability is one reason thrifting is growing popular — there are many hidden gems in the racks of thrift shops in Singapore. With many choices, you may wonder where and how to thrift, so let us teach you what you should remember on your journey to thrift shopping!
Thrift Shopping vs. Retail Shopping
Retail shopping is convenient. You can easily see the colour, size, and price of the clothing piece that you choose. It also allows buyers to see their current and upcoming collections displayed at the front of their stores and even online on their websites and social media platforms, favouring those who want their shopping experience quick and easy.
Unlike retail clothing shops that release “trendy” collections, thrift stores have a large collection that caters to people with different tastes in fashion. Vintage clothing and rare accessories wait to be discovered in thrift stores in Singapore. Thrift stores often carry items from different eras, so you can explore diverse styles and add character to your wardrobe.
Another cool thing about thrift shopping is that you can find original luxury brands that often look and feel like you’ve bought them at the mall… only more than half the price! Retail stores will put their best items up front and display their prices, allowing you to know if their current collection suits you. Thrift shops have a more curated collection that you have to browse through patiently because there is not one of the same piece of clothing. It may take you some time to fill your cart with pieces you want but at a very low price, the experience is very worth it.
Getting to Know Your Style
Thrift shopping can be overwhelming with its many items. Don’t expect to find what you like during the first 10 minutes of thrifting, so imagine how much more time it will take without knowing what you want. Unless you intend to spend hours shopping, remember to plan what clothes you’re into and what you want to get from the thrift store.
Look at Pinterest; make a mood board of the aesthetic you’re going for and look at your wardrobe to see if there are pieces you’re still missing. You can be inspired by the looks you see online and the styles you lean towards. Are you more goth because of the black shirts that you have? If so, you should look for black-laced skirts or dark leather jackets. Do you want to try Y2K fashion? Head to the pants section to get low-rise jeans. While browsing the collections, you may see other things that go great with the clothes you initially intend to buy.
The Tips and Tricks to Thrifting in Singapore
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Wear comfortable clothes when thrift shopping in Singapore because you will be trying on many clothes there. If you wear tight-fitting clothes that you don’t have to take off when trying on your thrift finds, it will save you a lot of time. Sometimes, you don’t even have to go to the dressing room because you can already try on the clothes right then and there since you won’t be taking off what you were already wearing in the first place.
Set a Budget
On good thrifting days, you will most likely overfill your basket with clothes that you love but won’t necessarily wear more than once. You can get excited and end up not wearing most of what you bought and overspending. You can avoid this by setting a budget. Prioritize the items you need, then get other items you find nice if there’s more left from your planned budget.
Patience is a Virtue
It is difficult to thrift for the first time because you have to take your time to look through every rack and shelf. Because every piece of clothing is unique and only comes in one size or colour, finding the perfect pieces will take more time and effort. Unlike retail shopping, where items are neatly organized by size and style, thrift stores can often feel overwhelming due to the variety and disorganisation. But trust that it is rewarding once you finally get the clothes you need to build your wardrobe.
Inspect the Item Thoroughly
Once you find a blouse or pants you love, look carefully before you checkout. Look for stains that look like they can’t be washed off or polos with missing buttons because these are difficult to fix. Unique buttons are hard to source, and who would want visible stains on their clothes? Put it back no matter how cute it is at first glance. Next, look for rips! If they are something that you can’t sew on your own, put it back. Lastly, try them on. Thrift shops have random sizes in their collection and there is usually no other size available. So make sure they are comfortable to wear!
Wash Your Clothes Before Wearing
Second-hand clothes can be dusty because they can be hanging on the racks for a while. Of course, these clothes were already sanitised before they were displayed, but it wouldn’t hurt to take an extra step of precaution. To ensure you won’t get itchy, clean the pieces you got before wearing them.
Thrift shopping can be a fun and rewarding activity because not only have you saved a lot of money, but you have also contributed to reducing waste while being fashionable at the same time! While buying something that someone has previously owned can be daunting, remember that one man’s trash is another one’s treasure.