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Like most women, I have a closet that probably contains more clothes than I need. However, more than half of my items cost less than $ 5 because they are loved.
I’ve been saving since 2014, after stumbling across a flea market in Scape and being stunned by the low prices people were selling their favorite items for. As a bankrupt student, getting clothes for less than $ 5 a piece certainly helped me stretch my dollar.
Although I am now a working adult with more purchasing power, I still try my luck at flea markets or thrift stores. While there is still the excitement every time I find a hidden gem, I have also continued to save as there are other advantages besides cost.
For one, it is definitely more sustainable. In 2019 alone, Singapore produced 168 tons of textile and leather waste, and only six tons were recycled. Buying second-hand parts means reducing the amount of items that go to our landfills.
Some feel that second-hand clothing is “dirtier” as other people have worn it before, but I have no qualms about using used items. If you don’t mind wearing clothes that you like, but have no idea how to get started, here are some tips and tricks I have for those who are thinking of entering the world of savings.
1. Enter with lower expectations
If all you know about saving comes from social media, you may think of it as a fun, glamorous, and hassle-free activity. However, the reality is very different and saving can be quite a tedious process.
The clothes are not well cured and are not displayed as in a normal store. As you save, you should be prepared to get your hands dirty and examine shelves and piles of dusty clothing that may or may not have strange smells.
Even after all your effort, you may not even find anything worth buying. I left empty handed after hours of digging multiple times and it can be quite frustrating.
Presocial distancing, you would also have to contend with swarms of bargain hunters looking to snatch the best deals, and it can get pretty chaotic. But all of these are an integral part of the saving process, making it all the more rewarding to buy a gem.
2. Have a list of the clothes you are looking for
It can be difficult to find something good unless you put in the time and effort to get dirty and dirty. It can also be quite overwhelming, as most of the time, you will have to go through large amounts of clothing.
One trick I’ve learned is to have a general list of things you want to keep in mind to narrow down your search in the store. For example, sometimes I go to a thrift store to specifically look for dresses or shorts. This helps me do the first round of filtering, before examining each element and considering if it fits the style I’m looking for. Alternatively, you may consider filtering through the many garments for preferred patterns, colors, or textures.
If I have a little free time after checking off what was on my list, I’ll look at other types of clothing to see if there’s anything else I like. It sounds simple but it helps a lot, especially if you’re not sure where to start.
3. Wear a mask and bring gloves
Not all clothing from flea markets and thrift stores is in tip-top condition and can usually be quite dusty and sometimes dirty. In such situations, a mask is quite useful, especially if you are sensitive to dust and dirt, and you plan to rummage through many items.
You can also consider wearing gloves to protect yourself even more while saving. After all, prevention is better than cure.
4. Bring a reusable bag to store your booties.
While plastic bags are generally provided, it can be difficult to carry multiple bags home on your hands. After a few trips, I realized that it would be easier for me to pack them all in a large reusable bag rather than relieve my arms. As a bonus, it’s also good for the environment, which is one of the reasons I’m saving.
5. Know your measurements and bring a tape measure
Most flea markets and thrift stores don’t allow people to try on clothes. Even if they did, donning a dirty and dusty piece of clothing is not attractive to most, including me.
However, no one wants to buy something that doesn’t fit either. Avoid this by taking your measurements at home and bring a tape measure when you save to check if an item fits you before you take it home.
6. Don’t get carried away
Given how cheap the items are, it can be quite tempting to buy just about anything you find. I am guilty of making multiple impulse purchases that I regret.
These have become part of the pile of unused clothing that I have in a corner of my closet, making it a waste of space and money. This also defeats the purpose of sustainable shopping, as the clothes could have potentially gone to another home.
So now before I shell out the money for anything I make myself wonder if I will use the item. Some questions I ask myself include “can I foresee that I will use this piece often?” or “do I already have something like this?” Taking this extra step has helped me reduce unwanted purchases.
Where to save in Singapore
While Singapore’s thrift scene is still small, there are several places that offer a decent selection of clothing.
My favorite place is Lucky Plaza Bazaar, as they have the widest variety of clothing and styles for both men and women. For working women, I suggest checking out New2u and The Salvation Army William Booth Corps as you can find a good amount of office wear there.
For more modern and trendy pieces, you can turn to Refash. However, as Refash’s clothing selection is more select and tends to come from blog stores, slightly higher prices are to be expected.
• Lucky Plaza: 304 Orchard Rd, # 06-14 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
• New2u: 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967
• The Salvation Army William Booth Corps: 500 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678106
• Update: 304 Orchard Road, # 06-14, Singapore 238863)
All thrift stores restock their stores differently – some do it every few days, while others only do so when their shelves start to run low. I suggest going every other week when you are most likely to have a clean set of clothes to go through.
But if you are free and want to appear more often, you may still come across things that you have previously missed.
