Whether you want to reduce waste, save money, or jazz up your home and wardrobe, there is one simple solution: thrifting.
Buying pre-loved is becoming increasingly popular across the world. The Guardian newspaper reports that secondhand clothing is on track to dominate 10 percent of global fashion sales by 2025, while a recent survey states that 42 percent of millennials and Gen Z global citizens are likely to buy previously owned items.
It’s all heartening news that is music to our ears.
After all, 92 million tonnes of clothing waste continues to be dumped in landfill or incinerated each year, while over 12 million tonnes of furniture waste is generated just in the USA alone.
So, next time you’re on the hunt for high-quality clothes, accessories and homeware, avoid the chain stores and shop ethically at the UAE’s homegrown thrift shops instead.
Below are eight of the best that every smart consumer should know about.
Endless.ae
Online, Dubai

One of the UK’s first fashion resale and rental platforms, Endless launched in 2019 and expanded to the UAE in early 2023. Unlike some other preloved websites, it doesn’t just stock high-end designer wear, and the clothing, shoes and bags span pieces that suit all kinds of budgets. Built on a desire to help women feel good and make more ethical choices, you can also rent pieces for up to four days. If you want to sell something, they will take care of all the listing, shipping and admin for a reasonable 10 percent commission free.
@endless.uae.
La Brocante
Al Quoz, Dubai

A treasure trove of pre-loved furniture, this quirky and hipster-friendly warehouse has a lovely wholesome feel. The ever-changing collection spans iconic antique pieces and vintage steals, and the friendly team will restore or upcycle your own items, too. To experience La Brocante at its best, try and catch one of its weekend pop-up events. Taking place every two weeks, the lively community gatherings feature stalls from clothing thrift stores and local brands and artists, while DIY and arty workshops for adults and kids are held regularly throughout the month.
@labrocantedxb.
La Suite
Al Quoz

Along with offering a one-stop-shop for innovative sustainable brands, La Suite also has an extensive pre-loved section brimming with enticing second-hand designer clothes and accessories. Spanning Chanel, CELINE, Loewe, Stella McCartney and much more, you can peruse the magnificent selection at the branch inside Home and Soul furniture store, and shop online, too. Or, if you don’t know where to start with your decision-making process, you can book in for a VIP personal styling session.
Reems Closet
Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Quoz

Founded in 2008, Reems Closet has always been at the forefront of the region’s pre-loved fashion scene. If you’ve always longed to have your own Louis Vuitton handbag or Hermes shoes, this is the place to make your fashion dreams a reality. Spanning beautiful designer items that cover a range of price points and conditions, it’s become so popular it now has two stores, its own app and an online shop.
Retold

Al Quoz and Al Ghurair Center
Arguably the biggest and most well-known thrift shop in the UAE, Retold is a dream come true for every bargain-hunting fashionista. The rails and rails of clothes at its two stores span hundreds of high street steals, vintage treasures, and stunning brand-new pieces that have never even been worn, while the regular sales see items sold for as little as AED 25. The collection is constantly refreshed and updated, and you can also buy via the website and Instagram. Scrolling through all the tempting daily new arrivals is bound to become part of your daily routine.
Thrift for Good
Palm Jumeirah and Al Quoz

Thrift for Good donates all its profits – roughly AED 150,0000 per month – straight to Gulf for Good, the non-profit organisation that funds children’s charity projects as far as Malawi, Uganda, the Philippines, Peru, Nepal, Lebanon and Palestine. Spanning high-quality second hand clothing, accessories, shoes, bags and books, it has branches at the Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah and Times Square Centre, while a third branch is set to open within the next six months. Offering a totally ethical shopping experience, anything donated that is declared unsuitable for the store is sold at the Dubai Flea Market, given to local upcyclers, or processed through the Kiswa app to be made into carpets and furniture in India.
Fashion Matters
Mushrif, Abu Dhabi
Tucked away inside Inspire Sports Spa, Fashion Matters is one of the great hidden gems of Abu Dhabi. As one of the only second-hand stores in the UAE capital, its select and carefully compiled collection of premium designer gowns, amazing dresses, statement bags and incredible shoes aims to give everyone the chance to own luxury clothing and accessories. Everything is in good or ‘like new’ condition, and you can browse and reserve items through the Instagram page as well.
@fashionmatters.me.
Hello&GoodBuy
Online, Abu Dhabi
Proving that secondhand definitely does not mean second best, Hello&GoodBuy offers a glorious array of pre-loved gems. New items are posted on its Instagram stories every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and saved in the highlights until sold. Alternatively, you can book in for personal stylist experience at the Abu Dhabi office, and you’ll often spot it at different markets and events across the city. Committed to bringing the community together and encouraging green habits in all areas of life, it also hosts beach clean ups, sustainable fashion shows and other eco-conscious events. Perhaps best of all, it recently launched a new initiative that sees the team plant a tree for every item sold.
@helloandgoodbuy.uae.