Dubai: So Chic – Preloved designer clothes shopping

Last night I was invited to the private preview of the So Chic pop-up sale at Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz. The So Chic pop-up takes place 4 times a year, offering a mix of preloved designer clothes along with new items from selected European designers, but even though this kind of luxury resale is right up my alley,  it took me a long time to finally make it to So Chic.

In terms of supply, Dubai might be a shopper’s paradise, but most stuff is actually more expensive than in the States and in Europe, and I usually do a majority of my shopping abroad. I’ll also honestly admit that at So Chic, I had expected to see a bunch of last seasons’ clothes selling at this season’s price. Though I’m happy to tell you that this wasn’t the case; 1200AED got me a jacket from Isabel Marant Étoile, a 3.1 Phillip Lim silk top and a pair of Stella McCartney silk shorts, everything in excellent condition.

The clothes are sourced from private wardrobes in Dubai, and the So Chic team only accepts items, which live up to their standards in terms of style as well as condition. Everything was nicely arranged on individual hangers, and the shopping experience was more like an upscale department store (without the price tag), than the flea markets and thrift shops you usually associate with second-hand shopping. Furthermore, the prices are fixed, so you don’t have to waste your time on bargaining.

Visit the So Chic website for more information about So Chic and future pop-ups.

Later this week, I’ll be attending Fashion Forward in Dubai. Fashion Forward is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) fashion event down here, so get ready for a fashion-packed weekend full of shows, presentations and after parties.