28/12/2025

ON SUNDAY December 28, 2025 theSunday Special XI

items. Here are some practical tips for Malaysian thrifters: • Check authenticity With the rise of counterfeit goods, especially in the luxury market, always inspect details like stitching, hardware, logos and tags. Apps like Entrupy and professional authentication services are helpful if you plan to resell. • Know your market If you’re reselling, research which brands have the highest demand in Malaysia. Currently, pre-loved Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Prada bags hold their value well, while vintage Levi’s jeans and Nike trainers are hot com modities among younger shoppers. • Go early and often The best items move quickly. Regular visits, especially during stock restocks, give you the first pick. Befriend the VKRS VWD̆ IRU EHWWHU GHDOV DQG ¿UVW GLEV • Keep the condition in mind S RPH ÀDZV OLNH PLVVLQJ EXWWRQV FDQ be easily repaired. But major damage, such as tears in delicate fabrics, may not be worth the investment unless the item is exceptionally rare. • Think long-term Buy what you love, not just what’s trending. Vintage fashion often cycles back into style, so that a good piece will remain relevant for years. The resale market: A Malaysian opportunity Reselling vintage or designer items is no longer a niche practice. Globally, plat forms like Depop, Vestiaire Collective and Grailed have normalised fashion resale, while in Malaysia, Carousell has emerged as a popular platform for everything from pre-loved Zara to Hermès.

3. BangBang Vintage Store: A retro wonderland BangBang Vintage is perhaps KL’s most recognisable name in vintage fashion. With racks lined with designer denim jackets, leather boots, bomber jackets and sportswear, it channels an authentic thrift-store vibe. Beyond its sheer variety, BangBang is especially loved by those seeking genuine retro pieces from the 1970s to the 1990s. For designer enthusiasts, the hunt is part of the appeal – you might stumble across a Moschino jacket or a pair of vintage Adidas trainers in near-perfect condition. The store has also become a cultural landmark for KL’s indie crowd, combining nostalgia with streetwear sensibilities. Instagram: @bangbangvintagestores Tip: Visit in person if you can – some of WKH EHVW ¿QGV QHYHU PDNH LW WR WKHLU RQOLQH listings. How to shop smart when thrifting for designer pieces While thrifting can be rewarding, it re quires strategy – especially when hunting for luxury labels or investment-worthy

Pre-loved fashion offers a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion.

Beyond clothes: Bags, shoes and accessories While clothes dominate most thrift stores, accessories often yield the most surprising finds. Designer handbags, vintage belts or silk scarves can hold their value far better than fast-fashion items. Some KL-based collectors even focus solely on luxury bags, sourcing them through thrift stores and reselling them after authentication. One advantage of shopping at smaller KL vintage stores over international resale platforms is price. While a Chanel bag might fetch thousands on Vestiaire Collective, a lucky shopper might score one locally for a fraction of the cost – The growth of thrifting and reselling in Kuala Lumpur is not just a passing trend. ,W UHÀHFWV EURDGHU JOREDO VKLIWV WRZDUGV sustainable consumption and conscious fashion. Younger Malaysians are increas ingly questioning the environmental impact of fast fashion while seeking new ways to express individuality. At the same time, the resale economy R̆ HUV HFRQRPLF RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU VPDOO entrepreneurs, creatives and students. By blending sustainability with business savvy, thrift culture is carving a meaning ful space in Malaysia’s fashion landscape. From boutique-curated spaces like 0LQW $SSDUHOV WR HFOHFWLF ¿QGV DW 6KH¶V Seen to retro wonderlands like BangBang 9LQWDJH .XDOD /XPSXU R̆ HUV SOHQW\ RI opportunities to thrift and resell designer and vintage pieces. For Malaysians, the joy lies not just in the bargain but in the story of giving clothes a second life, build ing unique wardrobes and taking part in a global movement towards circular fashion. Whether you’re a collector seeking rare designer labels or simply someone looking for a jacket that tells a story, KL’s thrift scene proves that style doesn’t have to be brand new to feel fresh. WKRXJK VXFK ¿QGV DUH UDUH Why thrifting matters in Malaysia’s fashion future

In 2021, Carousell’s Recommerce Index revealed that 69% of Malaysians sold pre owned items online in the previous year, with fashion among the top categories. For many, reselling is not just a way to declutter but also to earn extra income. Take Iman, a 23-year-old student who began reselling thrifted items on Insta gram, Carousell and occasionally pasar karat ÀHD PDUNHW “I started with vintage Levi’s I found in bundle shops for RM15. After cleaning and styling them, I sold them for RM35 to RM70 each,” he explained. “It became a side hustle that paid for my wants.”

Thrifting and reselling have become popular among Gen Z and millennials seeking affordability and self-expression.