Less for more

By Megan Koh

The wardrobe dilemma is a daily challenge that robs many students of time and sanity as they rifle through piles of clothes to hunt for a great outfit.

As undergraduates, few have the financial capacity to go on shopping sprees whenever we covet a new wardrobe. Instead, we pounce on ASOS discounts, flea markets and the cheapest deals we can find. Buying second-hand clothes is often a much cheaper alternative to retail shopping, which makes thrift shopping a go-to option for savvy shoppers.

Take a trip around familiar neighbourhoods with this list of thrift shops and bag some unexpected gems along the way.

NEW2U THRIFT SHOP

96 Waterloo Street, S187967
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 10.30am – 2.30pm

New2U Thrift Shop has its fair share of dresses to be excited about. PHOTO: VALERIE LAY

Flaunting its wide collection of apparel, New2U Thrift Shop parades its range of tops, dresses and bottoms from inside its air-conditioned store to the corridors outside.

There is also a small men’s collection tucked in the corner.

Manned by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisation, the 16-year-old thrift shop has been raved about by numerous bloggers and featured on Youtube channel Clicknetwork, which has more than 800,000 subscribers, making it one of the best known thrift shops in Singapore.

Additionally, with a prime location in the bustling streets of Bugis, New2U makes for a convenient shopping expedition near town. Clothes here are largely priced below $10, and students enjoy a 50 per cent discount every Tuesday.

MINDS SHOP PLUS @ NTUC HEALTHCARE

Block 71 Redhill Road, #01-29 S150071
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9am – 6pm

While some might associate thrift shops as cramped and in disrepair, a single trip to MINDS Shop Plus @ NTUC Healthcare will quickly dispel that notion.

Tastefully decorated with sleek wood furnishings and modern wall art, the thrift shop can easily pass off as a retail outlet at an upscale shopping centre.

Apart from the aesthetically-pleasing interior, what’s worth noticing about the shop is its mix of trendy pieces – think dainty sundresses and cable-knit tops – and formal wear, including neoprene dresses and structured blazers.

The shop’s best recommendations are hung on rotating racks, while the rest of the clothes and accessories are stacked neatly in clear plastic boxes – with some temptingly labelled “$1 shirts”.

THE BARN

11 East Coast Road, #01-14/15, S428722
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9am – 6pm

From plus-sized garments such as branded jumpsuits and dresses to eccentric bright prints – including a two-toned salmon and red sweater and a colourful dress of dizzying patterns – volunteer-run thrift shop The Barn surprises its shoppers with its refreshing variety of apparel.

The shop also offers an extensive winter wear selection of fleece jackets and plaid coats, all for less than $30. Its men’s options also have a decent range of flannels, sweaters, work shirts, polo tops and dri-fit tops.

The tops here do not exceed $5 and its dresses are no more than $10. On top of that, The Barn also houses a variety of affordably priced books, bags and furniture.

If you’re lucky, you may even walk into a sale, where prices are slashed further to between $3 and $8.

SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW

Block 499 Jurong West Street 41, #01-812, S187967
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm

If you have free time between your lessons, Something Old Something New might just be the place for a short respite from school.

Just a 10-minute walk from Lakeside MRT station, the thrift store is located under a block of flats, making shopping in the void deck a quaint experience of its own.

While a random charity run T-shirt may sometimes appear when browsing, the shop still houses its fair share of hidden gems. A Zara men’s polo shirt and Fred Perry work shirt were spotted going for just $3 each, while a DKNY denim jacket here costs only $10. An assortment of jeans and blazers is also available at a small fraction of the original price.

PRAISEHAVEN MEGA FAMILY STORE

500 Upper Bukit Timah Road, S678106
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10am – 6pm, Friday to Saturday: 10am – 9pm

Praisehaven Mega Family Store houses a wide range of second-hand items such as shoes and paintings. PHOTO: VALERIE LAY

As one of the biggest thrift shops operating under The Salvation Army’s social enterprise arm, Praisehaven Mega Family Store is the most accessible of all the stores on this list, located right beside the newly opened Rochor MRT station.

It is home to an array of styles, from chic leather jackets to stylish designer gowns, but you can also find cheaper goods, such as an Esprit maxi wraparound skirt going for just $10 and a series of tops for $5.

The spacious shop floor also plays host to an assortment of books, paintings, music instruments and furniture, making it ideal for a weekend outing for families or friends with different interests. With the proceeds channelled towards the organisation’s humanitarian efforts, you will feel less guilty about shopping here.