By Amanda Lim (25A01B), Kavya Thirunavukkarasan (25S03I), Keng Yi, Nicole (25S03S) and Qiu Bixin (25A01A)

Thrifting—an activity most of us have heard of before, with some of us even partaking in it regularly. On paper, thrifting means buying pre-loved clothing, furniture and other household items from a thrift store at a discounted price. 

But for many of us, thrifting isn’t just about getting the things we need. Since you never know what gems you might encounter in a thrift store, the experience of flipping through racks upon racks of clothing to find the perfect item for yourself is just as exciting. 

The popularisation of thrifting isn’t merely another flitting online trend—it’s a conscious shift toward sustainable fashion, and it’s here to stay. Thrift shops have now permeated the streets of Singapore. Along the bustling aisles of Lucky Plaza, the curated selections in Queensway Shopping Centre, and the reworked wonders lining Haji Lane, thrift stores lie in wait for old and new customers alike. 

However, despite that, many still don’t thrift regularly. Why? It might be because many of us simply don’t know where to start. The multitude of options available in Singapore could be overwhelming for beginners who are just starting their thrifting journey, and who might not know where they should go for the most diverse range of items or the cheapest steals. 

With this in mind, we picked out three of the most popular thrifting spots in Singapore, Haji Lane, Lucky Plaza and Queensway Shopping Centre, to rate and review in this article and break down the local thrifting scene! Hopefully, this makes thrifting less daunting for the newbies. 

For the sake of fairness, we evaluated all three locations with the following set of criteria: affordability, accessibility, variety, quality, and style. We also chose to include two shops from each location that we felt stood out to us, and represented the overall thrifting experience best. Read on to find out more about our thoughts on these local thrifting nooks… 

Haji Lane

Haji Lane got its name way back in the 1800s, when the Arab pilgrims, who originally settled in the shophouses in that area, arranged the annual haj for Muslims in Singapore. Since then, Haji Lane has transformed into a lively and charming street filled with vibrant murals, hip cafes, and perhaps most importantly, trendy vintage and thrift shops. 

We noticed on our trip to Haji Lane that thrift stores there are surprisingly elusive. The only indication of their existence from the ground floor is usually an inconspicuous sign along the walkway or on the wall.

Reaching shops on the second floor is also something of a safety hazard—picture us clinging tightly to the railing as we make our way up an intimidatingly steep set of stairs. These reasons, coupled with the fact that Haji Lane itself can be a challenge to find, mean that it scores low in accessibility.

What might not come as a surprise is the general price point of most items. With the majority of pieces priced in the 40-60 dollar range, it can be easy to question whether these really qualify for the ‘thrift’ in ‘thrifting’ at all.

This is most people’s general criticism of the thrift scene at Haji Lane, and to be honest, our view before our visit. However, what we failed to consider was what these shops tend to promise—curated, high-quality pieces, and an aesthetic experience—these are what people come to Haji Lane for. 

We were met by a variety of clothes with some so striking they almost became an attraction all on their own. Were they pricey? Yes. But were they breathtaking? Definitely.

Vintagewknd

If you’re looking for floral patterns, antique treasures, and beautiful designs, Vintagewknd is the place. It’s one of few thrift stores on Haji Lane that is hard to miss. 

With polaroids plastered on the walls, fairy lights, and crystal chandeliers, it has an atmosphere that draws you in and off the street.

Though not “cheap” by any means, the shop has a myriad of high-quality, handmade goods, including clothing modified by hand that elevates them into something truly unique.

Whether it’s worth the price tag is up to you, but the quality of the clothing speaks for itself. Even if you purchase only one thing from Vintagewknd, chances are it will be a standout piece in your wardrobe that you’ll cherish deeply—a piece of clothing to love.

SUPERWASTED.

Superwasted is draped in unprecedented amounts of denim. Officially, it is known as an experimental concept store that sells reworked pieces heavily inspired by street style.

With flashy green lights and dark grunge aesthetics, Superwasted mainly houses bags, jackets, and jeans; a must-stop shop for aspiring emos.

Final thoughts

Overall, Haji Lane lives up to its reputation. It could be seen as a ‘tourist trap’, and arguably panders more to aesthetics than affordability. But this is also where it shines most—its collections and displays make no mistake of what it is: a showcase.

If you’re looking to buy a lot of clothing at a cheap price, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want to ooh and aah at a wide range of styles and painstakingly beautiful pieces, or even just take aesthetic mirror selfies with friends, this is the place for you.

Lucky Plaza

Completed in 1981, Lucky Plaza was (and still is) a thriving shopping complex, attracting waves of enthusiastic local and foreign shoppers with its diverse range of shops and unique designs. Now, it is known for not only being a haven for local Filipinos to congregate, but also for cheap yet quality gems hidden inside, waiting to be unearthed. 

Lucky Plaza can be reminiscent of Serangoon MRT Station at peak hour. That is to say, outrageously crowded. The mall itself is expansive and dizzying; making it all the way up the escalators to the top floor (where the thrift stores are) is something of a trip in and of itself.

Coming directly from the carefully curated extravagance of Haji Lane to the simple arbitrariness of Lucky Plaza was night and day. We were met with racks and racks of a seemingly random assortment of clothes, with ridiculously low prices hanging overhead.

If for you, thrifting means sifting through piles and piles of clothes looking for a diamond in the rough, thrift stores in Lucky Plaza are exactly that.

Thrift Apparel

Just the image of Thrift Apparel can be overwhelming, and almost all thrift shops in Lucky Plaza are no different. 

The idea is that the effort required to sort through the shelves, along with the slightly lower quality of clothes, is made up for by prices ranging from only about four to 10 dollars.

But that’s not to say you can’t still find high-quality, interesting clothing in Thrift Apparel. The question is whether you’re willing to put in the work.

Final thoughts

Lucky Plaza could definitely be intimidating if you’re a beginner thrifter. However, considering that most people come into thrifting looking to spare their wallets, there’s really no better place for affordability. Almost nowhere else can you buy three pieces of clothing for just about ten dollars, though you might have to spend more time searching for something you like.

Lucky Plaza is certainly no spectacle, but there’s a reason why it’s so intensely patronised by so many people. In terms of practicality, it blows most competition out of the water.

Queensway Shopping Centre

Queensway Shopping Centre is one of the oldest shopping complexes in Singapore. In its early days, no matter who you talked to, their first thought would be “sporting goods” when asked about this shopping complex. Today, Queensway Shopping Centre still remains a favourite for many young Singaporeans thanks to the abundance of thrift shops it houses. 

Queensway Shopping Centre is nothing if not quaint. Find your way through the winding hallways and you just might end up at a small but charming shop both practical and aesthetic.

Thrift shops in Queensway Shopping Centre generally fall somewhere between Haji Lane and Lucky Plaza. They can be equally as hard to find (thrifting in Singapore comes hand-in-hand with exploring, it seems) but prices range from about 20-40 dollars, just at the midway point of the other two options.

Though many shops boast the same ‘vintage’ aesthetic and similar offerings of sports jerseys, sweaters, and cargo pants, there is also a decent variety of styles. Some shops stand out in particular.

The Dream Vault

If you’re a fan of pink, you’ll love The Dream Vault. Its feminine, coquette aesthetic is made clear by the cheery pastels and frilly ribbons that line most of the store.

The Dream Vault is certainly one of the more memorable thrift stores we found. Though its clothing selection is not exceedingly large, it makes up for it with the quality of the clothes it does have, as well as a collection of cute accessories.

Un.Wastelands

Un.Wastelands is full of the Queensway thrift store staples: heavy cargo pants, vintage graphic tees, and of course, denim. 

However, clothes here are interestingly sorted by gender presentation: feminine or masculine, adding useful layers to your thrifting experience.

Additionally, it offers not only clothing but various accessories—belts, sunglasses, and even digital cameras.

Final thoughts

Overall, Queensway Shopping Centre is the middle ground of price, style, and quality. Though an upwards of 25 dollars might still cross the line of “thrifting” for some, Queensway Shopping Centre is definitely more accessible to the general public and makes for an enriching and exciting first thrifting experience.

Queensway Shopping Centre easily bridges the gap between excess and waste, promising something interesting but not too pricey in case you decide to purchase something.

Our Thorough Thrifting Thoughts

So, what are our takeaways from our visit to these thrifting havens? Our collective favourite (and the most beginner-friendly) thrifting spot has to be Queensway Shopping Centre—the perfect marriage of quality, organisation and affordability. 

However, that doesn’t mean that Haji Lane and Lucky Plaza are bad by any means. All three places provide a distinct thrifting experience that would suit the preferences of people with different shopping and clothing styles, so simply go to whichever area seems to fit what you look for in a thrifting store the most, and explore all these areas for yourself!