For years now, thrifting has been a fun bonding activity for Gen Zs and millennials, offering a wallet-friendly way for people to connect over an important part of culture: fashion, while staying eco-conscious.
That said, thrifting has somewhat fallen out of the mainstream recently.
Maybe it’s because “good” thrift stores are hard to find. Maybe it’s because they never have your size. Or maybe because they’re all so far from one another that it’s kind of a pain to go through all of them.
Well, if you’ve held any of these complaints for thrift stores, fret not, for I’ve compiled five areas packed with thrift stores, offering curated selections for the indie kids and TikTok fashionistas alike. With these, you might find joy in thrifting again.
1. Taman Paramount
Colloquially known as the pretentious fashionista’s haven, Taman Paramount hosts a slew of thrift stores featuring an extensive curated collection. Whether your wardrobe is packed with beanies and ripped jeans, or flower dresses and kitten heels, you’re sure to find something that fits your vibe.
No car? Don’t worry about it. The thrift shops here are all on the same row of shops with a few cafes and eateries between them, so you can stay caffeinated and energised during your haul.
Stores to look for: FIFTH, udou, Del’cs Retail, Spiral Store
Nearby train stations: Taman Paramount (KJL)
Bus lines: PJ04, 780, T790 (RapidKL)
2. SS18
For those familiar with the thrifting game, this humble spot in Subang comes without surprise. Over the years, more and more thrift stores have been populating this row of shop lots alongside eateries of various cuisines and cafes.
Most of the thrift stores offer a curated selection of clothing, including branded jackets and vintage jeans or slacks. Again, all the stores here lie on the same row, with Shimokita Space and the bundle shop, 2nd Street, about a 10-minute walk away in neighboring SS15.
Stores to look for: again thrift store, OKGO Store, 1981 Thrift Store
Also nearby: Shimokita Space, 2nd Street @ SS15
Nearby train stations: SS15, SS18 (KJL)
Bus lines: 771, SJ01
3. Sungei Wang Plaza
Ah, Sungei Wang. A long-lived shopping mall now packed to the brink with stores offering knockoff Balenciaga shirts and glasses for cheap.
For one who hasn’t spent the day looking through the plaza’s offerings, they might assume that even if there was gold to be found here, it’s tarnished and low quality. However, frequenters of Sungei Wang Plaza know that several stores among the noise still offer quality pieces worthy of even the pickiest fashion divas.
As all of these stores are within the same mall, it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle to visit them all in one day. That said, the mall itself can seem like a maze to first-timers, so doing your research beforehand or going with a friend familiar with the plaza is recommended. The operators are also soon to be coming out with an official wayfinder, so keep an eye out for that.
Stores to look for: Thrift & Trade, 2nd Street, Chaos Rare Clothing, REFASH, THRIFTED!
Nearby train stations: Bukit Bintang, Imbi (Monorail, MRT)
Bus lines: 400, 420, 421, 580
4. Setia Alam
Now, we get to some hidden gems. Although Setia Alam currently only hosts two thrift stores, the area has seen a rise in visitors and shoppers from different areas in recent years, promising further growth and more stores aimed at younger demographics, like thrift stores!
The area also has a slew of clothing stores and boutiques for women and children, along with cosy cafes and eateries.
Looking for more to do? There are also various parks and trails in the area, including the Shah Alam Community Forest Trail and the Setia Utama Pocket Garden and Wetland.
Stores to look for: Orked Vintage Thrift Store, Jikaaa Thrift Store
Bus lines: SU13A
5. Amcorp Mall
We end this list with Amcorp Mall. A truly old, historic piece of Petaling Jaya architecture. Situated at the heart of PJ, you have probably passed its yellow facade and aging walls if you’re a Klang Valley resident, only to dismiss it as another one of the dozens of dying malls across the country.
And although some visitors might hold this statement true, Amcorp’s humble shops selling vintage trinkets, old-school collectibles, and niche antiques offer visitors something more than just fulfilling their sense of materialism—nostalgia.
On the weekend, tables are set out on the ground floor of the mall to be occupied by small vendors and pop-ups selling trinkets, fashion accessories, and even home-baked goods.
Although Amcorp has less to offer in terms of actual vintage or pre-loved clothing, you’re definitely able to find the perfect accessory, be it a watch or rare jewellery, that’s sure to complete your look, whatever it may be.
Stores to look for: Weekend flea market, Red30, Chia’s Cotton Chic
Nearby train stations: Taman Jaya (KJL)
Bus lines: PJ01, PJ02, T640, 750, 751
- Read more about these thrift stores here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: OKGO Store / ORKED Vintage Thrift Store
