The UAE might be home to mega malls and swanky shopping destinations galore, but that’s not to say that residents don’t appreciate a bargain. Enter the UAE’s best second hand shops and thrift stores.
Not only that, shopping second-hand is a great way to live more sustainably and support local businesses and communities at the same time.
So, without further ado, here’s where to get thrifty in the UAE.
Got the shopping bug? For Dubai’s best malls, click here.
To find out about Dubai Hills Mall, click here.
For free things to do in Dubai, click here.
Borrow Me
Sweeping in with a bordering on the genius budget-friendly, sustainable idea, UAE-wide start-up Borrow Me is an online lending and renting platform that allows users to ‘borrow’ (i.e rent) items from other members for as long as they need them. Got guests coming to stay but no bed for them to sleep in? Borrow it. Want to check that desert camping really is for you before purchasing all the gear? Borrow it. Need extra supplies for a party – tables, chairs, patio heaters, decorations and lights included? You get the idea…
The premise works just as well for the owners of the items (who make money lending out kits that would otherwise just be hanging around the house) as it does for those renting said gear. All rental details (price, length of time that you borrow the item for, pick-up points etc) can be agreed upon through the online sharing marketplace and many items have the option to buy after trying, too.
borrowme.com, @borrowme_com
Garderobe
What was one of the first vintage clothing shops in the city, Garderobe stocks second-hand designer items. Connecting buyers and sellers of authentic luxury goods, they operate out of a large villa in Jumeirah as well as on their slick website. They stock everything from Manolo Blahnik to Chanel but don’t go in expecting steals. Though discounted from their original retail value, the items are still fairly priced so that the sellers make a fair commission.
garderobe.ae, @garderobedubai
Kawaii Art UAE
A UAE-based Instagram account, which is essentially an online second hand shop. Kawaii Art UAE sells a number of pre-loved and vintage items through their social media page. With new drops of clothing every Tuesday, all you have to do is comment ‘mine’ on the picture of the item you like, win against the other commenters (by outbidding them) and then pay for your item via the link they send across — don’t worry, it’s totally legit (we’ve done it more times than we care to admit).
@kawaiiart.ae
La Brocante
Meaning ‘the flea market’ in French, this warehouse in Al Quoz is a veritable treasure trove of pre-loved furniture and home wear. The community-feel shop was set up in 2020 by Dubai-resident Natasha Fownes after being inspired by London’s vintage hot-spot Portobello Road. Natasha and her team of experts curate the selection on offer so you know everything in here is good quality, and you’ll often find authentic iconic vintage pieces like the Eames chairs.
Plus, every two weeks there is a weekend pop-up event which sees vendors and artists showcasing their products amongst the furniture to a fun soundtrack and serving of fresh coffee. This is where to go to meet like-minded people and source some of the best home-related items in the city.
@labrocantedxb
Les Spot
At this shop in Al Wasl, you’ll find a curated collection of vintage clothing. Think YK2 vibes, this is where you’ll find old-school band tees, bucket hats and Matrix-esque sunglasses. Stocking a range of preloved high-street, designer and vintage items, to shop here is akin to a treasure hunt. They also sell a number of homeware items including vases, books and prints.
@lesspot.ae
Reems Closet
A boutique set up in 2008, Reems Closet sells pre-loved fashion at various price points pertaining to their condition. Pick up authentic ‘as new’ items, or genuine pieces with slight defects (that are all clearly pictured or labelled) at a bargain price. Along with their stores in Jumeirah Plaza and Mazaya Centre, Reem has a consignment stand with La Brocante, which is ideal for thrifters who can shop vintage furniture and fashion under one roof!
reemscloset.com, @reemscloset
RETOLD
This uber stylish (think seriously well-curated concept store vibes) thrift shop has three stores (in Al Quoz, Al Ghurair Centre and JLT’s X3 Tower) which are both less treasure trove and more treasure emporium. Spanning two floors and with hundreds of new arrivals (both high-street and high-end) each week, there’s a reason why this place is a go-to for fashion-savvy shoppers looking to snag a stylish bargain.
Expect everything from luxury gowns and garments to unique accessories, one-off pieces and coveted vintage finds, as well as brand-new, never worn before item.
shopretold.com @shopretold
RESOLD The UAE’s Premier Pre-Loved Luxury Furniture & Home Decor Platform
A gem of a find for anyone who has just arrived in the UAE recently moved house or simply wants to give their home a spruce up. This members-only Facebook group (of which there are almost 26,500) is very firmly focused on the buying and selling of pre-used premium furniture and décor that’s still in great condition (bruised and battered items and Ikea identikits need not apply).
A stringent listings criteria mean that the admin team have more often than not already sorted the wheat from the chaff, making it easy to secure an excellent quality, well-priced piece.
facebook.com/groups/1779653992271365
Thrift Bazaar
A long-standing favourite amongst Dubai’s thriftiest clothes shoppers, Thrift Bazaar knows a thing or two about, er, thrifting. Thanks to the vastness of the selection (pre-loved clothes, bags, shoes and accessories for both children and adults) unearthing a gem does require a bit of time and energy, but if you’re willing to put the effort in rummaging through the filled-to-bursting rails you’ll be well rewarded with a bargain or three.
facebook.com/thriftbazaaralbarsha
Thrift for Good
Operating in partnership with non-profit charity Gulf for Good, Thrift for Good started out selling its vintage finds and second-hand goods online and at various pop-ups and markets around the UAE. Their bricks-and-mortar home in the Golden Mile Galleria on the Palm (they also have a location at Time Square Center) is known for its consistently good selection of premium clothes and accessories, from high-street items to designer pieces.
Even more brilliantly, the focus here is very much on operating in an eco-friendly, sustainable way, with 100% of all profits donated to charity (the SOS Children’s Villages Kyrgyzstan).
thriftforgood.org, @thriftforgood
The Luxury Closet
The place to go when you’re after a designer label for a little bit less. With pre-loved, officially authenticated items from top-tier brands such as Chanel, Valentino, Versace and Gucci under their (couture) belt and discounts of up 70%, this place is an absolute dream for the financially conscious fashion fiend.
Visit the store in Al Barsha or shop an extensive range of clothes and accessories – bags, jewellery and watches included – on their website.
theluxurycloset.com/en, @theluxurycloset.
Toyshare
As Woody and Buzz know all too well, it’s a cut-throat world out there for kids’ toys. Long-standing loves withstanding, kids get bored of toys fast and there’s no guarantee that today’s favourite game or must-read bedtime story won’t be consigned to the toybox a few days later.
Enter Toystore, an app hosted platform based around a “Play. Learn. Share” culture that allows families in the UAE to borrow pre-used books and toys for a certain amount of time, before they’re collected and replaced with an exciting new batch. Not only does this grant parents super generous status in the eyes of their little ones, it saves both money and space in homes and contributes on a wider scale to reducing plastic waste.
Various service options include having a box of toys and books delivered to your door every two weeks, with a focus on kid-favourite brands, popular authors and educational toys (the selection can be customised to individual needs and the preferences or age of your child).
All items are fully sanitised and disinfected with environmentally-friendly cleaning products before being shipped and are delivered via Aramex in locked packages. Once the toys are deemed to have done their bit they’re donated to charity Toys with Wings, ready to be redistributed to refugee camps, orphanages, centres for disabled children and paediatric hospitals.
Download the Toyshare app from the App Store and Google Play.
Urban Market Concept
Set up in 2021, The Urban Market is a monthly event that brings secondhand clothing, with music, drinks and food in one place. The venue changes, though recently it has been ay the Radisson Red in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Vendors can register to sell their goods here (including those that are brand new) and you’ll find lots of the YK2 Instagram sellers (like Kawaii Art UAE) selling their clothes here.
urbanmarketconcept.com, @urbanmarketconcept
What’s happening in Abu Dhabi this month?
Jason Derulo is coming to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai
For one night only.
Read more here.
11 great new cafés in Abu Dhabi
Discover these gorgeous cafés dotted around the capital.
Read more here.
Happy Valentine’s
Dozen of deals for February 14.
Read more here.
