Why Telegram is the Go-To Thrift Marketplace for Young Singaporeans
A decade back, “thrift shopping” in Singapore primarily involved rummaging through items at charity shops or visiting a handful of vintage boutiques. Established names like Dustbunny Vintage, which has been around since 2003, were quite uncommon. However, the closure of Deja Vu Vintage in May after two decades marked a shift in the landscape of secondhand fashion.
Fast forward to today, both thrifting, characterized by budget-friendly pre-loved finds, and vintage shopping, which focuses on prized older pieces, have surged in popularity. This trend is no longer just a niche pastime; it’s become a mainstream weekend activity. Pop-up markets, online resale platforms, and even Telegram have emerged as key players in this secondhand boom.
The digital transformation of thrifting is something many didn’t foresee. A growing number of young Singaporeans now prefer Telegram—traditionally a messaging app—as their go-to platform for curated pre-loved fashion, valuing its speed, exclusivity, and the community feel it fosters.
“The curations come from people who share my fashion taste,” mentioned Chan Huiwen, 29, a media professional who discovered Telegram thrift shopping earlier this year through an Instagram ad. “It’s convenient, and I don’t have to dig through piles of clothes like in a physical store. Fashion is part of my identity, and these curated drops help me define my style.”
Many users appreciate that different channels provide themed drops with clear measurements. “It makes it easier to remember which ones I want to check out,” shared Annette Chua, a 20-year-old student. “And several channels offer pre-loved clothing starting at S$1 or S$5.”
Telegram has carved out an environment that merges online shopping’s ease with the personal touch of a community-driven experience.
THE RISE OF AN UNLIKELY FASHION PLATFORM
Telegram’s emergence as a resale platform began with young sellers seeking a quicker, more direct connection with their audience. The app’s chat structure, scheduling capacity, and instant reactions fit seamlessly with the “drop” culture that defines contemporary thrifting.
Tyra Ng, a 21-year-old university student running Villainsloved, initiated her channel in July 2023 while juggling a polytechnic internship and part-time work. “I can sell fast and on the go – even from school. Telegram allows me to engage with customers I may never have met otherwise,” she expressed. “I’ve even seen strangers wearing items that I sold them – it’s such a wholesome feeling.”
For Matthew Tan, 23, who operates the thrift brand Woofie with his partner Desiree Chang, Telegram was their initial sales platform before they expanded to physical stores. Launched in 2021, their channel, Woofie Sales, now has over 6,000 subscribers. “Our brick-and-mortar locations sell affordable secondhand items at S$5 to S$15, but Telegram is where we showcase curated, higher-quality pieces at slightly elevated prices,” Tan explained.
He further noted, “The convenience of listing items makes it worthwhile, even if it doesn’t comprise our primary revenue stream – [Telegram sales contribute] probably less than 5%, and the feedback function gives us immediate insights into popular styles, helping us to source more effectively.”
Danielle Tam, 20, established D’s Closet in 2023 to finance a Taylor Swift concert ticket, quickly earning over S$150. She later began sourcing curated secondhand pieces. “Scheduling messages is revolutionary,” noted the university student, whose channel has 5,500 subscribers. “I can prepare each item’s visuals and captions in advance, ensuring that even if I’m busy, the drop still goes live at the scheduled time.”
She added, “It’s also simpler to track comments and grow followers compared to Instagram or Carousell.” For buyers, Telegram’s immediacy is enticing. Chan created a dedicated “shopping” folder within the app and checks it daily. “It’s like the excitement of concert ticket sales—for clothing,” she revealed.
THE ART OF THE DROP
What distinguishes Telegram thrifting is the “drop” culture—scheduled releases of selected items that generate anticipation and urgency among buyers. Within private or public chat groups, sellers introduce photos of pre-loved or vintage items in timed batches. Buyers often rush to claim these items through comments or direct messages, completing payments within moments to avoid missing out.
Tyra Ng describes her typical drop day: “I’ll photograph items the night prior, letting my group chat know the time and date so they’re ready, along with some teasers!” Her personality shines through in the item captions—part marketing pitch, part insider humor shared with her 2,200 followers.
“Bebe midi bodycon dress she EATS heavy,” reads one. Another declares, “Ed Hardy shorts she is so adorbs.” Ng states, “I often write them on the spot based on what feels right and funny or aligns with the item I’m selling. Giving clothes a personality has always been enjoyable for me… it helps people visualize and connect!”
HOW A TELEGRAM DROP WORKS
The Woofie team shared their process for drops:
- Sneak peeks: Sellers announce drop times and share teasers to create excitement.
- Go time: At the scheduled hour, curated items are showcased quickly, often accompanied by multiple photos, brief descriptions, and a set price or bidding start.
- Claim fast: Buyers comment “mine,” place bids, or message sellers directly—popular items vanish within seconds.
- Payment and packing: Transactions are primarily through PayNow or PayLah, followed by order packing and mailing.
- Repeat: Dedicated buyers activate notifications to never miss a drop.
TRENDING… FOR NOW
Certain brands and styles are prevalent within the Telegram thrift community. “The usual suspects include Cecil McBee, Liz Lisa… any Japanese branded pieces tend to sell out quickly,” Chan noted. “Lace camisoles are consistently a hot favorite. Nowadays, the shoujo girl aesthetic—quirky and whimsical fashion inspired by Japanese manga—is super trendy!”
Chua has observed trends evolving rapidly. “Harley Davidson was in, and now it’s more about Hollister and Abercrombie. Styles are changing almost instantly.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH FASHION
Beyond mere transactions, Telegram thrift channels often resemble tight-knit fashion communities. Sellers recognize their customers, and buyers frequently return, forming connections. “I once spotted a girl at my university dressed entirely in items sourced from my channel,” Ng remembered. “Most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind, so I recognized them immediately, and we bonded over that.”
This social aspect extends to mutual support among sellers. “Most Telegram channels engage in shoutout-for-shoutout, promoting each other’s channels,” noted Tam. “This lowers the entry barriers compared to other platforms.”
CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS
Sizing and fit often present challenges. “I sometimes mistakenly purchase items that are too small,” Chan confessed. “Many channels only list waist measurements and sometimes lack the tagged size. Unlike other sites like Taobao, where you can find detailed measurements and user reviews.”
Chua has faced similar issues. “All my items arrived in excellent condition, but occasionally they don’t fit,” she said. This problem is less significant in physical shops like Woofie, where customers can try on items. However, Tan realizes that with their curated Telegram offerings, buyers must trust the posted images and descriptions. “That’s why we focus on showcasing premium pieces,” he clarified.
Tam, the D’s Closet owner, has also shifted towards in-person sales. “Since starting university last year, I began consigning items at physical shops, as it requires less effort compared to online drops,” she shared. For her physical pop-ups, she takes pictures of what she plans to bring and shares them on Telegram, TikTok, and Instagram to inform her followers. Each item is tagged with her own pricing, and she dedicates weekends to restocking at the shops where she consigns.
THE FUTURE OF TELEGRAM THRIFTING
Both sellers and buyers acknowledge an explosion in the number of Telegram thrift channels over the past two years. “When I began in 2023, it was common to sell on Instagram,” shared Tam. “Now, the emphasis has shifted to Telegram.”
Chan is optimistic about its future: “I believe Telegram thrifting is here to stay, given that Telegram is the primary messaging app for many young people today. The app offers far more functionalities than just messaging, so I expect it to grow.”
Yet, she recognizes that it won’t completely replace traditional thrifting. “Being able to try on items in person will always be something that online shopping cannot provide. The joy of uncovering a hidden gem after sifting through pre-loved clothing really brings me happiness.”
As Singapore’s secondhand fashion scene evolves, Telegram has established a unique niche that fuses the convenience of online shopping with the personal touch of community-driven curation. For young buyers and sellers alike, it offers not just a marketplace but a new avenue to connect over shared fashion sensibilities—one drop at a time.
