Who’s behind it: Started by David Pan in 2003

The lowdown: With his experience working as a buyer for a Japanese vintage chain store, Pan started Ashitagaaru which offers affordable leather clothes. Everything from jackets, high-waisted pleated pants and skirts in various types of leather can be found in the store. Pan shares that his two decades of operations have allowed him to meet a diverse customer base, from avid collectors of vintage apparel to leather jacket enthusiasts. He shares that one of his most unique pieces is a pair of Soviet-era high-rise pleated pants made in Yugoslavia.

Price range: Leather apparel runs from $60 to $180; vintage jeans start from as low as $10

Address: #02-45 Peninsula Plaza; open daily from 12:30pm to 8pm

Who’s behind it: Wilson Tan, Angela Joyce, Alvin Loy, Mikhail Adam Ong, Nikita Elysha Ong and Evangel Teo

The lowdown: Run entirely by Gen Zs, this collective is home to many vintage and pre-loved labels. One of them is Shibuigarm (started by Tan and Loy) which specialises in curated vintage pieces. A look through their rack and you’ll be able to spot brands like Hysteric Glamour and Tsumori Chisato (who once worked with famed Japanese designer Issey Miyake). And if you get lucky, they do bring in certain designer pieces from Loewe and Dior. Another curated second-hand store operating within Anteiku is Faerydium (from the same folks behind the jewellery label Erydium), which specialises in fairy-core, grunge clothing.

Other labels include Ekiybho (specialising in hand-sewn, reworked apparel); Foolish Matter (carrying a wide range of vintage graphic tees); and Pins and Shades which is known for their cargo skirts and shorts.

Price range: $12 to $200

Address: 195 Pearls Hill Terrace, #02-63; open every Friday to Sunday from 1pm to 9pm

Who: Founded by 22 year-old Cherry Pretty last year

The lowdown: Cherry Thrift Shop, which started off as online business, focuses on various styles of womenswear apparel. Run by Pretty and her mother, the store was set up to share her joy for thrifting and raise awareness of sustainablility. “I got the business registered so my mom could eliminate the strain and physical labour of her previous job,” she adds. Cherry’s approach is simple: affordable and good quality pieces that aren’t going to break the bank. Expect floral tops, printed maxi skirts, lace satin tops, and many crochet tops.

She diligently goes through each piece to ensure customers get their money’s worth and don’t end up discarding their buys. The store’s location is also intentional – Peninsula Plaza is a usual haunt for the Burmese community in Singapore, with Pretty herself being Burmese.

Price range: Nothing is above $12

Address: #05-15 Peninsula Plaza; open every Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 8pm

Who’s behind it: The posse behind the archival streetwear space includes resident art curator Han Goh, Jan Cheng, Tiffany Chen, Kiefer Tay, Jacky Lim, Kent Ho and Pin Goh

The lowdown: Besides housing an assortment of now-out-of-production garments and accessories, Lithium also functions as an art gallery showcasing contemporary street art. A scroll through their e-shop and you’d sport pieces like trucker caps and T-shirts from American luxury brand Chrome Hearts; Los Angeles-based streetwear label Rhude; and Japanese fashion brands Needles and the family-run Kapital. The folks behind Lithium encourage anyone to come by and try on a garment or two (or give their skating ramp a go) and learn about the history behind the piece. As its website states, “this space welcomes all to challenge their creativity.

Price range: Prices vary depending on the rarity and quality of the piece

Address: #01-01 The Blue Building, 18 Genting Road; open every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30pm to 6pm

Who’s behind it: The brainchild of Fengjia Sai (who goes by FJ) and Isaac Ang

The lowdown: Those who are conversant in the local vintage and pre-loved scene would know of this curated vintage store that’s been going strong for six years. If you haven’t been, Loop Garms is chock full of apparel such as plaid pants, sports jackets and band tees that look like they came straight out of the ’80s or ’90s. They’ve even got bags and other accessories for you to browse through (and try on). It’s not just the appeal of the clothes that have folks coming back for more, but the infectious warmth that the owners and their staff have when it comes to sharing more about a piece (check out their Instagram Stories where they educate followers on fashion history). The store, located right under a HDB block, has amassed a steady community of close to 21,000 followers on Instagram .

Price range: $10 to $200 (depending on the pieces)

Address: 635 Veerasamy Rd, #01-148; open Friday to Sunday from 12:30pm to 7:30pm

Who’s behind it: Run by Alfred Bong and Leon Lim

The lowdown: Carrying pieces from brands such as Blackmeans, Loewe and Maison Margiela, Milieu can be best described as a haven for fashion archivists. Started in Jan 2022, the shop has fast become a go-to for those seeking out specific designer pieces from seasonal collections. Pieces we’ve spotted include a floral print button-up from Yohji Yamamoto’s Spring/Summer 2002 runway; a textural pair of derbies from British designer Katharine Hamnett; and a Maison Margiela knit vest from 1999. But it’s not just about making a profit from these vintage designer pieces which can often skyrocket over time. “We believe that the synapses between the context and construction of the item is what we are ultimately trying to communicate,” shares Bong about the role milieu seeks to fill.

Price range: $90 to $1,900

Address: Milieu is currently in the midst of moving; the new address will be updated soon

Who’s behind it:  23 year-old entrepreneur Jermaine Ho is behind the popular go-to spot for Gen Z’s

The lowdown: What started as an online business by Ho to declutter her wardrobe has now blossomed into a full-fledged physical space located in the heart of Haji Lane. Besides stocking vintage and pre-loved items, Ho also wants customers to experience and experiment with different styles at Plop. Solely behind the curation of everything in store, she brings in pieces from UK-based slow fashion brand Stephanie Liasis, as well as regional brands like Made By Illustration from Vietnam. According to Ho, how the brand aligns with Plop’s brand identity and aesthetic are strong points of consideration when deciding. Plop also has a whole host of sunglasses, handmade jewellery from local labels like Affirmation Club and Rebel Label, cowboy boots and Y2K-esque bags (we spotted some Coach and Von Dutch) to peruse.

Price range: $30 to $200

Address: 17 Haji Lane; open Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 8pm

Who’s behind it: Set up by Karen (she prefers to go by her first name) as a solo venture in 2021

The lowdown: Popular for its Harley Davidson tees, camisoles and messenger bags, this place is a treasure chest for those looking to incorporate nostalgia into their wardrobe. The name of the store has a rather poetic backstory: “The ‘re’ refers to the process of repeating (reusing and recycling) clothes so they are given a new lease of life. The “drmg” is the short form of dreaming because, at that point of time (when I started Re.drmg), I was trying to find myself and what I could do; it was a way to tell myself that even if you fail at something, you can always try again.”

Price range: $10 to $60

Address: 39 Haji Lane; open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 8pm, Saturday from 12pm to 8pm and Sunday from 1.30pm to 8pm

Who’s behind it: Started by husband and wife duo Fred and Bee (both prefer to go by their first names)

The lowdown: The business initially started in 2018 on resale platform Carousell as a way for Fred to sell his collection of ’80s and ’90s graphic tees. It began to gain a steady following over the years, leading to them renting a space in Bras Besah Complex to host monthly pop-ups before finally setting up a physical store space in 2021. Their journey running the store is a labour of love; besides making sure there are always new pieces for customers to shop for, they always deep wash and disinfect all their items before it hits the shelves. The store also expanded beyond t-shirts, selling outerwear, bags and even reworked clothing. For those wondering what the ‘Tas” in the name stands for, it’s an acronym for ‘thrifted and selected’ and is inspired by the old supermarket chain Shop n Save (which is present-day Giant).

Price range: Prices start from $18 to $50, with selected pieces going for more

Address: #B1-24 Peninsula Complex; open daily from 12pm to 8pm

Who’s behind it: Purland Rizki, 24; Taufiq, 24 and Zulhilmi, 27 are the trio behind the store.

The lowdown: Prior to The Cartel’s, the initial business was a now-discontinued streetwear clothing line called Parlo.Co. When the three realised there wasn’t much appreciation for it, they decided to change course and set up The Cartel’s in mid-2021, focusing on affordable vintage-style apparel. They do carry the usual graphic tees, windbreakers and sportswear, but one thing stands out from all their offerings: pre-loved sneakers. Rizki shares that the sneakers you’d be able to find are usually lower than what they originally retail for as he wants people to be able to get a pair without having to fork out a large sum. Look forward to Nike Dunk’s and Air Force’s in an assortment of colourways and designs at a fraction of the original price.

Price range: For thrifted items, prices start at $5 and can go up to $100. Used sneakers begin at $50

Address: 44 Haji Lane; open daily from 12pm to 9pm