Welcome to Shopaholics Anonymous. Over the week, I took one for the team and visited fashion heaven so that you could live vicariously through me – you’re welcome. I had the privilege of attending ZALORA’s Charity Bazaar at the Singapore Red Cross, where I had a total “Confessions of a Shopaholic” moment.
For all of you who missed out on the shopping haven that was ZALORA’s Charity Bazaar, allow me to put you on. Sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and ZALORA is no exception. The products that were up for sale at the bazaar were all brand new but had minor quirks that didn’t meet the brand’s quality standards.
As such, they partnered with the Singapore Red Cross to host this bazaar and give these articles of clothing a second lease of life. And the best part? All the funds raised from the Bazaar go towards the Singapore Red Cross’ local humanitarian services for vulnerable persons and families.
I embodied Rebecca Bloomwood as I walked through the Charity Bazaar, and I’m proud to say that minimal damage was done to my bank account. Not because I had the self-control to stop myself from buying anything, but because ZALORA offered a range of items from over 60 different brands at up to 70% of the retail price! For all my fellow shopaholics, let this be a nicotine patch to satiate your shopping needs as I walk you through my shopping experience at ZALORA’s Charity Bazaar.
Offerings
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I walked through those doors. I knew there would be a wide range to shop from, but I wasn’t expecting that much variety. To put it into perspective, I spent over two hours walking around, looking at clothes, accessories, bags and shoes – every shopaholic’s dream come true.
In true ZALORA fashion, they spoilt us with choice. There were authentic Levi’s Jeans for just S$60 and Kath Kidson bags for only S$80 – a mere fraction of the original price. As if that wasn’t enough, necklaces and watches were up for grabs, selling for an almost criminally low price. Surprisingly, most items were going for S$15 – imagine a Daiso but for clothes.
As I sifted through the tables and racks of items, I started piecing potential outfits together – as one does. If I wasn’t going to buy it, at least I could have fun playing dress up, right? So, let me walk you through some of the potential outfits I saw while showcasing the impressive range of items the bazaar offered.
Lookbook
Starting simple, we have a knitted sweater (S$15) that we chose to pair with a simple denim maxi skirt (S$20)! Before you think I’ve gone mad suggesting a knitted sweater in this insane Singapore heat, it was surprisingly thin. The material wasn’t scratchy at all, and it was incredibly lightweight.
I had considered getting the maxi denim skirt—I don’t care what anyone says; denim skirts will always be in style. It reached the middle of my calf and wasn’t too thick. Not to mention, it’s a versatile piece that I believe everyone should have in their closet.
Paired together, this outfit is perfect for a lazy day or a Friday in the office. Despite the fact that the sweater is pretty oversized, it still gives the illusion that a lot of thought and effort was put into the outfit.
Moving on, I found this blue vest (S$15) and decided it had to go with a pair of authentic Levi’s Jeans (S$60). It was hard to miss the vest in the sea of clothes because of its vibrant blue – but I’m living for it! Now, this sleeveless vest is the best thing you could wear on a hot day. As much as I love the colour of the vest, the neckline is what had me sold. Just imagine wearing this with a statement necklace – the possibilities are truly endless.
Of course, I had to include the Levi’s into the mix – it’d be asinine for me not to! Levi’s usually retails for over S$100, so finding one in near-perfect condition for S$60 was like striking gold. In fact, although ZALORA said these clothes had minor defects, I genuinely had a hard time finding the flaws in some of these items. In my opinion, these jeans were a steal.
There’s no way you could go wrong with this outfit. A sleeveless vest and a pair of jeans are some of the safest outfit choices you could go for if you’re in a rush to leave the house or looking for something for a night out.
Look 3 consists of a grey sweater (S$15) and a pair of white linen pants (S$20). This one might be completely self-indulgent, but I’ve recently been obsessed with linen pants. They’re making a comeback, and I’m all for it. They’re a way better option than jeans, especially on a hot day when you need to look put together but don’t want thick fabric sticking to your legs.
This grey sweater was too cute not to add. The neckline and collar combination really make this piece look more dressy. Of course, the strings at the end of the sweater can be pulled to scrunch up the bottom, but I prefer leaving them untied for a more conservative look—perfect for a day in class or a presentation. I couldn’t help myself with this one, and I’m not ashamed to admit that this grey sweater is now sitting in my closet.
Recently, my aesthetic has shifted to a rotation of timeless pieces that I can mix and match however I want, and this is the epitome of it. Both pieces are versatile, but when worn together, you can be assured that you will look great.
This outfit is definitely more dressy than the other options in the lookbook – but I’m committed to giving you as many options as ZALORA gave us that day. The dress (S$15) is enough by itself – I mean, just look at it. The “inner shirt” is attached to the dress but is by no means bulky.
It could just be worn like that, but cinching the waist with a belt would elevate the look altogether. The brown of the belt and the gold of the buckle complement the brown of the dress. But why stop there? Throw in some brown leather thigh-high boots to tie the whole outfit together, and you’re runway-ready. Put on some gold jewellery to match the whole vibe of the outfit, and you’ve elevated it even more – the options are truly limitless.
Last but certainly not least, we have a gorgeous floor-length dress that was going for only S$15! Not buying this is one of my life’s biggest regrets because I have no idea where else I can find a dress this stunning at such a low price. The frill around the top and the elastic band by the chest really gave this dress personality and can be worn in a multitude of different ways.
If I haven’t made it clear, I’m a sucker for gold accents, which is why I chose to style this with a simple black bag (S$20) with a gold clasp to add a pop of colour to the white dress. The gold accents add just the right amount of glamour without overpowering the simplicity of the dress. Paired with some gold jewellery and perhaps a pair of strappy sandals, this outfit could easily transition from day to night.
ZALORA’s Red Cross Bazaar
As I walked out the door with my goods in hand, I realised that ZALORA’s Charity Bazaar was so much more than a shopping spree; it was an exploration of fashion treasures waiting to be discovered. Beyond the thrill of shopping, the event supported sustainability by giving new life to quality items. Partnering with the Singapore Red Cross made each purchase a meaningful act of support. It acts as a reminder that fashion can be both accessible and impactful, encouraging us to rethink how we shop while championing community causes.
If you’re bummed that you missed out on this event, I suggest following ZALORA on their official Instagram account and staying updated for more news. Who knows? They may hold another event just like this very soon – fingers crossed!
And even if the next event isn’t on the horizon, you can still grab some ZALORA goodies at a good price with their latest sale, happening from now till 9 July on their website!
Photos by Brendan Tan of the DANAMIC Team.
