The best retro shops in Singapore to nail the old-school look

Looking the part, A Vintage Tale is how you would dream a old-timey clothing store to look like. Step inside the cosy space housed in a shophouse on Joo Chiat and take in the dusty blue walls, flowery wallpaper, a chitz armchair in the corner and of course, racks of retro dresses and accessories from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Founded by Azzurra La Mantia and Jasmine De Brauwer, the store actually started in Milan in 2015. Over the years, they have amassed a curious vintage collection of handbags from the ’60s in snakeskin and velvet, mod-style paisley and floralnshift mini dresses and satin pillbox hats from the 1950s.

Located in the sleepy-by-day, seedy-by-night Golden Mile Complex, Retro Gate is Singapore’s first Japanese-American vintage streetwear thrift store. Founders Ryu Yamamoto and Paul Low were inspired by the furugiya (which translates to old clothes shop) culture in Japan and want to see it grow here. Dress like you’re from the ’80s with dad-fashion polo tees and retro sports windbreakers or pick up your next loud party shirt here.

At The Fashion Pulpit there’s no actual money involved if you want a vintage clutch or dress. Located at Liang Court, the place is a hub for those looking to swap their clothes for pre-loved pieces, mostly designer vintage of course. At these clothes swaps, participants can upcycle their old favourites and also learn some cool fashion tricks along the way.

Orchard Plaza might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of cool stores but give it chance, especially when you have a place like Exit, which stocks a fusion of vintage and trendy streetwear from popular labels like Supreme and Champion. Exit was born out of the lack of vintage clothing stores in Singapore by three friends, Aloyston Eng, Darren Yang and Charmaine Lim who have been retro fashion enthusiasts since they were 17. With the opening of several vintage stores in Singapore, they hope to create a community for like-minded people to get together.