Looking for a nostalgic thrifting experience to rework and embrace a vintage closet? Explore Taiwan’s secondhand treasure coves embellished with a thoughtful selection of handpicked pre-loved pieces, and bag a bargain at the hip-and-happening retro stores of Taipei.
In Asia, stigma revolving around secondhand and resale culture has influenced many to abstain from buying and wearing preloved apparel. The trend once seen as a taboo with its traditionally inauspicious past is now widely accepted, witnessing a shift in changing attitudes towards “old and vintage.”
Observing the increasing popularity of this trend globally, Gen Zs have made thrift culture the new normal in many Asian cities. As secondhand shopping becomes a fun, trendy, and sustainable way of living, many youngsters are using thrifting to experiment and reinvent their personal style as a form of self-expression.
A new wave of conscious consumerism is sweeping Taiwan, infusing traditional thrifting with emerging secondhand hipster stores, refreshing the marketplace with innovative designs in fashion and sustainability while hyping preloved and vintage clothing trends. Read our guide to thrifting in Taipei for a list of emerging local vintage gems, and build your own unique thrifted capsule wardrobe.
Local Favourites
古漾 | 古著店 Vintage Shop
Located in the cultural and commercial hub of Taipei City is popular secondhand vintage store, with a minimalist interior and uncluttered space, 古漾 | 古著店 Vintage Shop. Grown from a passion for timeless and classic fits, the store is known for reviving old and long-idle clothing into modern retro looks. Its online and physical stores sell a curation of diverse antique fashion select and accessories. In addition to their famous American haul of Aloha Shirts, they sell vintage handbags from brands such as Burberry, Cartier, and Coach, as well as their rare collection of European military uniforms, including reworked US Army shirts, Finnish Camo Jackets, and more!
Address: 1st Floor, No. 1, Lane 134 , Siwei Road, Daan District, Taipei City
Open From: Mon-Fri 2pm-9pm; Sat-Sun 2pm-9:30pm
EWF Vintage
Another local favourite, EWF Vintage was established in 2013 and has been expanding its collection of statement pieces brought to you from all around the world since. Adding to their distinct selection of used and revamped vintage clothing and accessories, the store holds traditional Mexican dresses, Austrian dirndls, Japanese haori and kimonos, and more beautiful picks for those in favour of all-rounded vintage pieces. Alongside rehabilitating used fashion wear, EWF Vintage features an exceptional range of branded antique bags from Longchamp, Coach, and Bally. Make sure to check their exclusive vintage hat collection from well-known American label Round House, when you get a hold of their finely-aged selects.
Address: 1st Floor, No. 3, Lane 49, Chifeng Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Open From: Mon-Sun 1-9pm
Retro Stores
Liberated Rhythms
Liberated Rhythms is a retro and trendy space, with a worthwhile collection ranging from vintage clothing and accessories, to vinyl records, to nostalgic toys and plenty more punk-rock subcultural references. Home to new and used vintage punk fashion, as well as other artisanal selects, this is one of the most happening retro stores in all of Taipei. Its edgy and grunge rock aesthetic takes you back straight to the 60s, with racks and shelves stacked with classic motorcycle leather vests, graphic tees, eccentric gremlin dolls, and walls ornamented with vintage punk records and posters. For rock and roll fanatics out there, discover and connect over Liberated Rhythms’ house beats while you visit this retro-gem of a store!
Address: 1st Floor, No. 606-6, Guangfu South Road Daan District,106, Taipei City
Open From: Mon-Sun 2-10pm
Off-the-Rack Vintage
Blue Monday Vintage
Recapturing the essence of vintage thrift stores, Blue Monday Vintage, as its name suggests, is a vintage and consignment denim store, housing secondhand jeans, reworked shirts, skirts, overalls, and other classic streetwear styles! With locations throughout Taiwan, the store is known for its assortment of cheap and locally recovered denim, accumulating both quality and reasonably priced fashion wear and accessories. While most of its pieces are brought back from the US from a long list of classic renowned labels, to name a few, Tommy, Lee, Levi’s, and Dickies, the store then revitalises used clothing into newly refurbished pieces.
The label truly commits to its cause, dedicating its online platform, Blue Monday’s blog, to educating customers on the concept of vintage clothing and its transformative trends, keeping you up-to-date with the latest fashion insights!
Address: No. 28-1, Lane 26, Section 2, Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City 10491 (click here for other locations)
Open From: Mon-Sun 2-10pm
Travis Vintage & Used Clothing
An evolutionary men’s fashion store by Travis, the founder and creative mind behind Travis Vintage & Used Clothing, this secondhand haven was established in 2015 and has since been the “thrift hotspot” of the neighbourhood. The store is celebrated for its small yet attention-grabbing retro storefront, and a quirky collection of graphic tees and other eccentricities one might find tucked away inside. With years of expertise in the field, Travis Vintage encapsulates the historic value of secondhand fashion with its reworked US military jackets from the 30s to the 90s, flamboyant Hawaiian shirts reminiscent of the hippie era, alongside other seasonless and metamorphic vintage pieces.
Address: No. 4, Lane 41, Chifeng St, Datong District, Taipei City
Open From: Mon-Thur 6-9pm; Fri 5-10pm; Sat 3-10pm; Sun 3-8:30pm
Head x Lover
Head down Minhe Street for a little splurge while thrifting vintage selects at Head x Lover. Sharing their love for pre-owned fashion with all, the store carries a premium vintage collection, hailing back to the 20s to 90s. Featuring vibrant and beautifully patterned apparel and accessories, by a number of classic brands such as Ocean Pacific, Wrangler, and Lee, its handpicked oldie styles will surely spice up your wardrobe.
Aside from their delightful selection of preloved treasures, the secondhand label is known for its curated space, hosting a number of other lifestyle labels and an F&B stall! Enjoy a sweet treat as you explore each nook and corner of this vintage paradise.
Address: No. 11, Lane 81, Minhe St, Wanhua District, Taipei City 108
Open From: Mon-Sun 2-8pm
Tianmu Flea Market 天母生活市集
Located in Tianmu, a popular destination for expats in Taipei, Tianmu Flea Market is a local treasure cove with its festive-like ambience and colourful selection of secondhand products from community vendors. During the holiday weekends, navigate your way through the flea market as you move from one stall to another, submerging yourself into the immersive experience of thrifting in a local flea market. Vendors showcase a diverse collection of preloved goods, from clothing, handbags, and accessories, to leather products, to historic Buddist statues, jade ornaments, traditional teapots, and the list goes on. For visitors, the dazzling set-up is sure to leave a memorable impression of the local culture.
Furthermore, the Tianmu Flea Market is open for anyone to sign up and sell pre-owned goods, as well as their own products each week.
Address: No.2, Sec. 7, Zhongshan N. Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City 111
Open From: Fri-Sat 4-10mp; Sun 3-9pm
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