Don’t lie. When Macklemore released his viral hit Thrift Shop, you were singing along word for word. But in a city of glitz, glamour, and luxury malls, can we really ‘pop some tags’?
Well, we took a look, and yes, yes you can. As the years go by, the Macklemore hit proves to be more than just a trend, but a catalyst for conscious consumerism, a practice of mindful shopping. And with more and more documentaries highlighting the dangers of fast fashion and their contribution to growing landfills, there has been a rise, specifically among Gen-Zers, to stop clothes from reaching those landfills by shopping sustainably. So, in the process of upgrading our wardrobe, here are some of the coolest thrift stores that we found while exploring sustainable fashion.
Garderobe
What some would consider the OG secondhand store in the UAE, Garderobe has had its doors open since 2010! With a mission to make luxury fashion both accessible and sustainable, you can find authenticated clothes, shoes, and accessories from Ralph Lauren to Chanel. If you ever find yourself at Jumeirah, you can find Garderobe at Villa 1224.
Retold
While this thrift shop boasts three branches across JLT, Al Quoz, and Al Ghurair Centre, we found ourselves at the Al Quoz branch browsing along with the rest of the crowd. This store has two floors, with both high street and luxury fashion, and it is decorated with vintage vinyl records (that you can buy!) along the staircase. It also hosts a modest collection of books by the entrance that range from cookbooks to novels.
Thrift for Good
There’s so much to love about thrifting. A good bargain, the thrill of finding something new, participating in sustainable fashion, and now, with Thrift for Good, thrift shopping has also become a part of charity. In partnership with Gulf for Good, a charity based in Dubai, Thrift for Good donates 100% of its profits to help various humanitarian causes around the world. With stores in Al Quoz and Palm Jumeirah and various pop-ups all around the UAE, you can find a curated collection of high-street and designer pieces while also learning about their current charity projects.
Digg It
A space for those who love street fashion and culture, Digg It isn’t just about clothes, it’s about community. Located at a revamped warehouse in Al Quoz, Digg It has two floors—the upper floor for clothes to dig into, and the lower floor for vintage cameras and a space for fashion lovers and creatives to mingle. On the racks are true retro finds, from ’90s sports jerseys to exclusive band tees and graphic t-shirts that mirror the vibrancy of the Digg It space.
Fashion Rerun
The latest to hit the thrift and vintage space, Fashion Rerun comes with one clear message: to create a positive impact on the environment. Located at Al Quoz, this thrift store provides all your usual vintage finds, but with added in-house upcycled pieces such as handicraft jackets made from repurposed curtains to stop them from reaching the landfills. With funky jeans and tops that scream Y2K, each piece aims to not just celebrate fashion but a fashion of conscious consumption.
