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Thrifting is trending, but there’s more than meets the eye

Rising eco-consciousness and the desire for unique fashion items have fuelled the growth of thrift stores in Singapore. But how sustainable is thrifting, both environmentally and as a business?

Janice Lim
Published Fri, May 31, 2024 · 03:00 PM
    • The inside of thrift store Un.Wastelands near Haji Lane. While second-hand fashion is not new in Singapore, the difference is that many of these new thrift shops are for-profit businesses – the pioneer players tended to be non-profit models.
    • The inside of thrift store Un.Wastelands near Haji Lane. While second-hand fashion is not new in Singapore, the difference is that many of these new thrift shops are for-profit businesses – the pioneer players tended to be non-profit models. PHOTO: JANICE LIM, BT

    ADRIANA Rahman is a convert to second-hand fashion.

    The 25-year-old used to buy her clothes from well-known fashion labels, including fast-fashion brands. But that all changed when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. She lost her part-time job during the ensuing economic crisis, and had to find ways to cut her expenses.

    That was when she chanced upon the realm of second-hand fashion online. While her initial motivation was to find cheaper sources of clothing, she realised that buying second-hand goods – also known as “thrifting” – was not only more environmentally sustainable, it also allowed her to purchase unique items that could not be found elsewhere.

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