By The Eye desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
Second-hand fashion in Singapore runs through four channels. Charity thrift shops, such as the Salvation Army’s Family Stores, the Red Cross Shop and the MINDS Shop, sell donated clothes and use the money for their causes. Resale services, such as Refash and Cash Converters, buy your clothes or give you cash or credit. Consignment shops sell your pieces for you and take a share when they sell. And selling online, on marketplace apps, puts you in charge of price and buyers. You can also swap or donate. The National Environment Agency (NEA) keeps a list of donation, resale and repair channels, and its advice for giving is clear: items should be clean, in good condition and match each organisation’s criteria.
Pre-loved clothes are kinder to your wallet and the planet, and the hunt is half the fun. Here is how each route works.
Quick facts
- Thrift shops sell donated clothes; prices are low and stock changes constantly.
- Resale services pay you up front in cash or credit; you get speed, not top price.
- Consignment pays you only when your item sells, minus the shop’s commission.
- Selling online gets the best price for good pieces, but you handle photos, chats and handovers.
- Swapping (for example through Swapaholic or The Fashion Pulpit, both on NEA’s list) lets you trade clothes rather than buy new; check each one’s terms.
- NEA’s guidance for donations: clean, good condition, and check each organisation’s criteria first.
Which route suits you?
| Route | How you get paid | Effort | Best for | Examples on NEA’s list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charity thrift shop (buying) | You pay low prices; proceeds fund the charity | Browsing time | Bargain hunters, basics, children’s clothes | Salvation Army Family Stores (via Re:Nue), Red Cross Shop, MINDS Shop |
| Resale for cash or credit | Paid on the spot or in credits | Low | Clearing a wardrobe quickly | Refash, Cash Converters |
| Consignment | When it sells, minus commission | Low to medium | Designer and higher-value pieces | Independent consignment shops |
| Selling online yourself | Direct from the buyer | High | Good brands in good condition | Marketplace apps |
| Swapping | You trade clothes; any fees vary by organiser | Medium | Refreshing your style without buying new | Swapaholic, The Fashion Pulpit |
| Donating | None | Low | Clothes still wearable but not worth selling | Greensquare collection, Cloop, brand take-back schemes at H&M and Zara |
How does consignment work?
You hand over an item, the shop prices and displays it, and you are paid your share only after it sells. Terms vary a lot between shops, so ask these before you sign:
- What is the commission, and is it a flat rate or does it change with the price?
- Who sets the price, and will it be marked down over time?
- How long is the consignment period, and what happens to unsold items: returned, donated or charged a fee?
- How and when are you paid after a sale?
- How is authenticity checked for designer goods, and who is responsible if an item is questioned?
- Is your item insured while it is in the shop?
How do you sell online safely?
Take clear photos in daylight, show labels and any flaws, give measurements as well as sizes, and price by checking what similar items have actually sold for. Keep chats on the platform, meet in a public place or use the platform’s delivery options, and never click payment links sent by “buyers”: the police have issued repeated warnings about fake-buyer phishing scams on marketplace apps. Only sell items you know are genuine; selling counterfeits is an offence, as our counterfeit goods guide explains.
The WahLiao Verdict
Sort your wardrobe into three piles. Good brands in great condition: sell online or consign. Ordinary but wearable: sell to a resale service for quick credit, swap, or donate to a charity shop. Worn out: use a textile collection or recycling channel from NEA’s list rather than the bin. And when you buy, give the thrift shops a regular look: their stock turns over quickly, and every purchase helps a good cause.
Questions people ask
Where can I donate clothes in Singapore?
NEA lists options including the Salvation Army (through Re:Nue), the Red Cross Shop, MINDS, Cloop, Greensquare’s doorstep collection and brand take-back schemes. Check each one’s current criteria; some, such as Dress for Success, pause donations at times.
Will a resale service take anything?
No. Each sets its own standards for brand, condition and season. Expect to be paid less than you would get selling privately, in return for speed and convenience.
Is it safe to buy designer pieces second-hand?
It can be, if the seller stands behind authenticity. Ask about authentication and returns, inspect in person where possible, and walk away from prices that look too good. Our leather labels guide helps you judge quality.
Should I wash clothes before donating or selling?
Yes. NEA asks for items that are clean and uncontaminated, and buyers and resale services expect the same.
Sources: National Environment Agency, donation, resale and repair channels; Singapore Police Force, advisory on fake-buyer phishing scams. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
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