Steals and deals aren’t hard to find, if you know where to look.
Last year, I visited a Sunday bazaar, organised by the Singapore Red Cross Society Thrift Shop Programme. The progamme was first launched in 2008, with a slogan of “low cost, great cause”. And it turned out to be true—after trawling the bazaar, we found some cheap, cheap treasures! Here’s 10 of them—and all were $10 and under.
1. Clutch Bag: $5
These beautiful embroidered clutches were going for a mere $5 each! If my mum were there, she would have bought the entire row (sorry mum).
For guys, these would make a perfect little gift for your female friend(s) if you’re just thinking of giving them something “just because”.
And girls, these work perfectly as an accessory for a day out, if you’re going for the ethnic chic look that’s all the rage in Singapore nowadays. You can definitely pass them off as something you got from a holiday at Bali or Thailand.
2. Striped Hoodie: $5
Hoodie for $5?!?!? Smells like an instant buy to me. Which I did. White and blue are pretty easy to match, especially with the conventional male wardrobe of blacks, blues and browns. It was pretty thin, so it’s still okay it to wear out in Singapore in moderately warm weather. 5 bucks only, just buy lah.
3. World War Z Book: $3
This is like a Bras Basah Complex kind of deal man! The best part was the book didn’t look used at all, there was still the brand new book smell on it. MAJOR PLUS POINT. A big thank you to the kind soul who kept this gem in such a pristine condition. There were so many other books there too.
Just a teaser as to the number of cheap, cheap books available:
All these books were going for less than $10! There were some special edition books going for 20-ish bucks, but you really get what you pay for, because the quality’s pretty good. Still like the World War Z book the best though, no doubt about that.
4. Wooden Mask: $8
Seems like the bazaar is full of ethnic Asian stuff. This looks like something from some exotic little shop in some island in some corner of some tropical country. Doesn’t matter because it looks legit and all arty-farty and 8 bucks. Really a steal for such an authentic looking piece of artwork, which would sell for $30 if you buy it in some souvenir shop. Definitely a must have for you culture vultures out there.
5. Aeropostale Sweater: $5
This was snagged by my friend almost immediately, so I didn’t even have a chance, sadly. Comfy! Branded! 5 DOLLARS! What the heck don’t even think just grab it.
The navy blue shade of the sweater is also really easy to match, especially with the very masculine pink shorts my friend was wearing. 5 friggin bucks.
6. Rilakumma Key Chain: $2
These were super cute help me. Rilakumma key chains going for $2 each (if only the hordes of Rilakumma fangirls knew!). Fortunately I resisted the urge, but I know many who wouldn’t have been able to. Maybe you’re one of them. It’s cute, it’s 2 bucks, buy it.
7. Floral Dress: $10
Wow, if I was a girl I would’ve totally gotten this. It had a Topshop-like quality, unlike the cheapo kind of dresses you see at Bugis Street that disintegrate after three washes.
Florals are still in this season, the dress is really bright and cheery, and 10 dollars only just get it hor.
8. “Fred Perry”(?) Bag: $8
The logo says Fred Perry, but it looks more like Freddy Peh Ri or something. But guess what? It’s still a pretty darn fine black backpack which you can match with pretty much anything and everything. So while its legitimacy is questionable, its value is definitely not. I saw someone looking at it very intently though… so if it’s there come down and grab it!
The Thrift Shop Programme has two thrift shops: Shop@REDCROSS is located in the eastside of Singapore, at the Singapore Red Cross Training Campsite; and Red Cross House, at Dhoby Ghaut.
9. Owl Necklace: $2
Well, OWL say, what a good find! Get it, owl, I’ll, hahahah. Haha. Please laugh. Anyway, we looked high and low to find the perfect trinket to feature, and we stumbled into a room with a box full of small and unique accessories! This necklace would definitely be a small but striking piece to add to your outfit, For a mere $2, get a bonus to your individuality, and don’t give HOOT about what other people say.
10. Brogues: $3
Undoubtedly my greatest source of joy and sadness during this entire bazaar trawl. These brogues were perfect in nearly every way, just that they weren’t in my stupid freaking size! I was so annoyed and sad and angry all at once, never had I felt such an intense hurricane of emotions. Tell me where else can I get brogues for 3 bucks?! Never again shall I meet a pair of shoes as value-for-money as you, my dear pair of brogues.
These shops are wholly run and managed by a team of committed volunteers, with all proceeds going towards the Singapore Red Cross local humanitarian services.
There you have it, ten things under ten dollars. There were many other awesome deals at the volunteer-run shops—like original, brand new Toms shoes going for $25, and a red Baggu sling bag that was going for $15 (which I grabbed the moment I saw and it never left my side because where else can I get a brand new Baggu bag for $15?).
If you want to experience the thrill of trawling through a thrift shop yourself, come on down to any one of the Red Cross Society Thrift Shops and have fun discovering these bargains. Expensive full-priced goods? Ain’t nobody got time for that, especially poor, broke students. And at the same time, your proceeds go towards the Singapore Red Cross local humanitarian services.
What other reasons do you need to drop by?
Addresses
Shop@REDCROSS
Singapore Red Cross Training Campsite
62 Jalan Khairuddin
Singapore 457524
(Open every Friday from 10.30am to 3.30pm)
Red Cross House
15 Penang Lane
Singapore 238486
(Open every Wednesday from 11am to 4pm)