Swap and Save the Planet: Your Guide to Buying Preloved Clothes in Singapore

When it comes to fashion, green is the new black.

Faced with increased scrutiny over the environmental impact of short-lived garments, the fashion industry has opened its closet to sustainable styling—where one makes conscious fashion choices that create the least impact on the planet. From buying clothes made of eco-friendly textiles to supporting brands that promote recyclable materials, the practice of sustainable styling is exponential.

In Singapore, a growing trend that advocates for sustainability is clothes swapping, which lets you trade fashion pieces that you are no longer using for someone else’s preloved items. To get you clued in, check out our handpicked selection of sustainable stores that offer preloved clothes in Singapore.

Swapaholic

With four membership plans to choose from, Swapaholic gives you access to thousands of preloved fashion items. Its most affordable package goes for S$49 and lets you swap up to three items per month and avail of one free pick-up and delivery. Swaps can also be made through the shop’s website. Swapaholic is not only for female fashionistas as it also accepts men’s and kids’ clothes. Just make sure that your items are in excellent condition and are free from tears and stains.

A Vintage Tale

Carrying pieces from iconic designers such as Dior and Versace, A Vintage Tale is the destination for sustainable shoppers with a distinctive taste. The boutique is located along Joo Chiat Road and has been the go-to boutique among preloved hunters since 2018. It is a treasure trove of anything vintage, including clothing and fashion accessories that go as far back as the 1950s. The store itself is a complete standout, thanks to its quaint yet colorful wallpapers and antique furniture.

Refash

Is your closet filled with clothes that you no longer wear but are too precious to throw out? Drop them off at Refash and get cash or credit in return. This sustainable shop lets you shop minus the guilt by giving a new home (or closet!) to someone else’s preloved clothes in Singapore. This store is brimming with local brands such as The Closet Lover, Love Bonito, and Fayth, so not only will you be shopping sustainably, but you will be supporting Singapore’s homegrown talents, too.

The Fashion Pulpit

With an aim of protecting the planet “one swap at a time,” The Fashion Pulpit brands itself as Singapore’s first and largest swapping platform. Since its inception in July 2018, this store has helped repurpose more than 75,000 preloved clothes in Singapore.

The process is simple: scour your closet with items that you are no longer using and swap them at The Fashion Pulpit’s store, depending on your chosen package. Membership options range from one-time swapping that costs S$35 to one-year swapping for S$599, which includes unlimited drop-offs plus free styling! As a social enterprise, Fashion Pulpit not just finds buyers for second-hand items, but also promotes sustainability awareness by producing vlogs and podcasts, as well as conducting workshops.

Style Theory SG

Want to look fab without breaking the bank? Style Theory SG, a clothing rental platform, offers a closet of infinite mix-and-match options that will keep you in style all year round. Its subscription plans start at S$59 per month, giving you three clothing pieces with free delivery and returns. There is also a special package that lets you choose from more than 2,200 designer bags for only S$99 per month.