SINGAPORE: With the recession upon us all, thrift chic is just the ticket to stay fashionable without burning a hole in the pocket.
Forget Orchard Road and flagship malls - think Salvation Army.
Yes, the Christian charity which started in 1865 and with branches all over the world to help the needy can be your best find for hot togs.
In fact, the name you'd more often associate with the homeless, charity and overall feel-good activities would leave you feeling pretty good too since shopping at Salvation Army sees the money going to various community-aid services.
Checking out the racks uncovered S$5 shirts, jeans and pants.
However, you may not want to take home that wedding gown for the trip down the aisle even though the S$8 price tag is tempting.
With confidence and poise, no one would know that the fancy tux and lux gown is in fact under S$10 and second-hand.
Brush up your party chit-chat with some reading up - bestsellers and hardcover books can be found at S$2 or less at the store.
And after that, invite the hosts over to your place, furnished tastefully with quality solid wood furniture which find their way occasionally to the Salvation Army stores.
According to the retail manager of the Red Shield Industries Singapore, Paul Chay, the best selling items are clothes, furniture, as well as souvenirs.
Although most items on sale may be second-hand, it is also not uncommon to find new goods which have been donated by retailers and manufacturers.
Some of the sizzling hot deals stumbled on -- Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash (750ml) at S$3 and L’Arc Ladies shoes at S$25 per pair, with shoe-fetish shoppers who buy four pairs getting a pair free.
The most valuable and also priciest item in store to date, says Chay, is a pair of 6ft tall porcelain vases at S$1888 each.
As for the weirdest donation yet – the prize goes to a pair of bullock-cart wheels.
Take this then as a hint that you will find almost anything and everything in the Salvation Army thrift stores.
That also means you may not find items laid out in an attractive and orderly manner. But if patiently search, as you would in a sale, you may find some hidden treasures.
If there is something you were hoping to find but couldn’t, try leaving your contact details in the event that the item pops up.
Chances are, after one visit, you’d become a regular shopper, which is a good thing since items in the thrift store can change regularly.
Making a good check before heading to the check-out is a good idea, as well as keeping the receipts since you can make an exchange or return.
And what could be better than taking home an antique item or designer dress for a steal? The chance to pay even less when the thrift store holds a sale – imagine that!
- CNA/yt
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