Check out wallet-friendly thrift shops, vintage stores with curated selections

The TL;DR: There is a fine line between thrifting and vintage shopping. Thrifting offers more affordable options while brands are what to look out for when vintage shopping. Here are three thrift shops and three vintage stores to check out.

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People browsing at Something Old Something New, a thrift store located at Simei Care Centre, 10 Simei Street 3. This store, set up in 1999, is partially run by clients of Simei Care Centre, a psychiatric rehabilitation centre. Such thrift stores are a godsend for people wanting to do charity and others looking for quality items at bargain prices.

Something Old Something New in Simei Street 3 offers an authentic “digging-for-treasure” experience.

ST PHOTO: DELON HO

Li Ziping

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Thrifting or vintage shopping? The line between both can get blurry at times.

Generally, items are considered vintage if they are at least 20 years old, and found in a curated selection.

Thrifting, on the other hand, offers wallet-friendly options to customers hunting for clothes that suit their style.

Other than thrift and vintage stores at Golden Landmark, here are three thrift stores and three vintage stores that can be found locally: 

Thrift stores

1. The Fashion Pulpit

The Fashion Pulpit offers clothing bundles, with prices going as low as $18 for five pieces.

PHOTO: BT FILE

Location: 298 Jalan Besar, #04-00 Allenby House, Singapore 208959
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11am-8pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 11am-6pm
Instagram:

@thefashionpulpit

A vibrantly decorated space that takes up the entire level of the building, The Fashion Pulpit is best known for its swopping system, where customers who buy a “membership” bundle can swop their own pieces for those from the store.

It also offers clothing bundles, with prices going as low as $18 for five pieces. 

2. Something Old Something New

Location: 10 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529897 (one of three outlets, with other outlets in Bukit Batok and Yishun)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Instagram:

@thriftshop_sacs

An 11-minute walk from Simei MRT, the store offers an authentic “digging-for-treasure” experience. Endless racks of second-hand fashion and homeware, with clothing brands like Roxy, Desigual and Adidas. Operating on a fixed pricing system, tops can go for as low as $4, and handbags up to $8.

3. Thrifty Trendz

Location: 22 Yio Chu Kang Road, #02-01A Highland Centre, Singapore 545535
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 10am-6pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 10am-5pm
Instagram:

@thrifty_trendz_singapore

Nestled in a small space in Highland Centre, Thrifty Trendz offers a wide variety of styles, from funky button-up shirts to Chinese New Year cheongsams, from statement accessories to cute trinkets and figurines.

Items here tend to be in good condition – clean and with no visible flaws. The store also caters for many different sizes. Average prices range from $2 to $15.

Vintage Shopping

1. Zabu Boutique

Location: 175 Bencoolen Street, #01-13 Burlington Square, Singapore 189649
Opening hours: Daily, 1pm-8pm
Instagram:

@zabu.btq



The store sources vintage items such as midi dresses and low-rise jeans that can be incorporated into everyday workwear. Customers can find one-of-a-kind pieces like a mini tweed shoulder bag with leather and suede elements.

With almost weekly restocks, prices range from $49 for a cami top to $80 for a vintage bag.

2. Takara House

Location: 674 North Bridge Road, Level 2, Singapore 188804
Opening hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Instagram:

@takara.house

Offering an unusual collection of vintage clothing and nostalgic items, Takara House is a Japanese-inspired homely space hidden off the popular Haji Lane.

From old Happy Meal toys to a cosy dessert cafe, the store is a treasure trove for vintage pieces. Prices range from $30 to $80.

3. Rookies & Haus Concept Store

Location: 6001 Beach Road, #01-57 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589
Opening hours: Daily, noon-8pm
Instagram:

@rookiessg

Most popularly known for its matcha selection, Haus Coffee is actually the in-house cafe of Rookies, a curated vintage store.

With a selection of band tees from $25 and street-style jackets up to $100, this store is emerging as a cool hangout spot.

It has a strong social media presence, and hosts regular Sip & Spin sessions, which includes live DJ music.

  • The writer is a student from Dunman High School who interned with the ST Schools team, which produces TL;DR.

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