Perhaps we are becoming disillusioned with fast fashion, or maybe we crave something that no one else has while keeping costs down, but second-hand fashion is booming in the UAE right now. It may have been a little slow to get going (when I arrived almost two decades ago, there was just one second-hand store in Dubai) but today there is a huge choice. So, whether you are after designer bags and clothes, or prefer the thrill of digging through rails to unearth a treasure everyone has missed, there is somewhere for you, and for every budget.
While the UAE may not yet have the kind of flea market culture that has tourists tripping over themselves in cities such as New York, London, Milan or Paris, changing attitudes to dressing is fuelling a wealth of shops and online platforms that even a few years ago were hard to find in the region.
Now, as we are becoming aware of the harm done by fast fashion, businesses are springing up that allow us to rent new pieces each week, without breaking the bank or the planet. Of course, this is a region devoted to high-end designer names, and the sheer range of preloved big-name pieces available allows for a big selection. This is a boon for customers looking for those hard-to-get items, high-end bargains, or just looking to help create a circular economy.
Reems Closet
One of the originals since 2008, Reems Closet is a consignment and preloved store that has built a solid reputation for quality and authenticity. Backed by the vast knowledge and eagle eyes of the owner Reem Mohammed – who can spot even the tiniest of flaws – customers can be sure that they are getting exactly what they pay for.
With a store in Jumeirah Plaza that has new arrivals daily, a weekend-only pop-up inside La Brocante vintage furniture shop, and an online shop, Reems Closet has a comprehensive collection of designer and other goods, all carefully assessed and priced according to condition, so customers can shop with confidence. Known for amazing finds, expect big queues at the Jumeirah Plaza store, especially at the weekends.
Al Quoz and Jumeirah Plaza, Dubai; reemscloset.com
The Luxury Closet
Bursting with authenticated big-name pieces from the likes of Gucci, Versace, Bvlgari, Chanel, Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton, the prices at The Luxury Closet are a reflection of the quality that's on offer. While this means that sometimes there seems to be little difference between the original and the new price, this is because its pieces are in very, very good condition, and have passed all the required checks for authenticity.
For fashion heads who missed a key piece the first time around, The Luxury Closet really is a go-to, be it a piece from the Versace x Fendi collaboration, or to finally get a pair of Cartier 1895 Solitaire Diamonds 0.41 cts 18k white gold stud earrings, currently over 40 per cent cheaper than the original price.
The website also offers video shopping and a personal shopping service.
Al Barsha, Dubai; theluxurycloset.com
Shop Cloudset
This nifty online site, with a pop-up inside the Dubai Marina beauty salon FaceRoom, allows customers to rent or buy preloved designer clothes, shoes and accessories at a huge discount. A pink Sicily handbag by Dolce & Gabbana, for example, can be rented for four days for just Dh360, while a pair of star print Saint Laurent aviator sunglasses are on sale for just Dh320, a whopping 70 per cent off the original list price.
Dubai Marina; thecloudset.com
Endless
Another rental and sale site, Endless is less about big designer names and more about smaller, more niche brands. The upside of this is there is less likelihood of someone else wearing the same dress to an event, and the prices are very pocket-friendly. Categorised by event to take the pain out of online searching, these include Brunch, LBD, Race Day or even Bump Friendly, so just a few clicks bring up a sleek Helmut Lang multi-slit little black dress available for Dh160 for three days rent, or a sweetheart fitted midi cocktail dress by Alex Perry in lilac, that is perfect for a summery wedding, that can be rented for three days for only Dh500. Same-day delivery is also available.
endless.ae
Retold
Owned and run by stylist Jelena Dancetovic, Retold is a comprehensive store filled with preloved high-end and high-street finds. Stocked with the likes of Dior, Miu Miu, Fendi, Bottega Veneta and Celine this is a treasure trove, known and loved by the fashion-savvy crowd, meaning that deals don't stay around for long. Filled with everything from gowns to unworn pieces (with labels still in place) to vintage must-haves, devotees check in almost daily for the newest arrivals.
Al Ghurair Centre, Al Quoz; shopretold.com
Thrift for Good
Since 2020, Thrift for Good has been giving second-hand clothing a second chance in the UAE. Offering everything from pre-loved babywear – starting at just Dh5 – through to designer finds, Thrift for Good is trying to foster a zero-waste, sustainable mindset while raising money for charity. With 100 per cent of monthly profits going to Gulf for Good's children's charity projects, to date, it has raised over Dh3 million for those in need.
If you love digging through rails to unearth treasures that others have missed, this is the place for you. In addition, and in keeping with its zero-waste thinking, it runs weekend projects such as teaching children to make a tote bag out of old jeans, or partnerships with influencers to sell off their wardrobes for charity. If you think Thrift for Good doesn't have high-end pieces, think again, as you never know what will have been donated. Be prepared to move fast though, as many others have the same idea.
You can also pick up second-hand books in-store or online here.
Palm Jumeirah, Times Square Centre and Quoz; thriftforgood.org
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
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More on animal trafficking
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Oppenheimer
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