Thrift Shopping In Jakarta

by Kemi Harahap on Sat, 18/07/09 02:00 UTC.

Most of us can’t deny a good bargain as the excitement that rushes through our body when we find the perfect vintage item for a steal is phenomenal. As a true Jakartan, I used to scourge the many markets, bazaars and shopping centers that give Jakarta the reputation as one of the best shopping cities in Asia. For those of you who may be a first-timer to the city, here are two of the best markets to start your thrifting experience.

Pasar Baru (Passer Baroe)

Apart from being one of the best tourist sites to embark on a journey to old-town Jakarta, Pasar Baru also boasts one of the largest and cheapest shopping districts in Central Jakarta. According to its history, Pasar Baru was the trading hub for Chinese and Indian traders during the Dutch colonialization era in the 17th century.

Centuries after, Pasar Baru still charms its visitors with a classic feel – a large number of shops sit daintily on each side of the long pathway through Pasar Baru, selling not only textile and shoes, but also vintage goods, sporting goods and musical instruments.

By day, the pathway is usually filled with wide-eyed wanderers and shoppers who are in search of the best bargain for textiles. By late afternoon, the pathway is transformed into a flea market, filled with carts selling everything from plastic sunglasses and football posters to vintage coins.

Yet what truly excites a thrift-shopper like me, is what I found on the end of the long pathway – a small 4-storey building, almost seemingly derelict. If it wasn’t for the crowd that hustled in and out of the building, I would have thought it was abandoned.

Inside the building was a shopping center that sells not only digital cameras and photography items (such as medium format film, Polaroid films or black and white films), but also vintage and second-hand clothes imported from abroad.

On the third floor is where my fun began. I rummaged through the racks of vintage clothing, finding great pieces at great prices. For around Rp.40.000-Rp.70.000 (RM15-25) you could get a good quality vintage dress, while Rp.5.000 – Rp.10.000 (RM1.50 – RM3) would lead you to the “Obral” (bargain) section, which has a wide range of funky and retro numbers. Often, the vendors would place a high starting price, but it is up to you to bargain!

HOW TO GET THERE:

You can take the TransJakarta bus to the nearest station in Pasar Baru, which stops in front of Pasar Baru.

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Pasar Senen (Monday Market)

If you really want to go on a hunting adventure for a great bargain, I’m going to tell you a little secret. Pasar Senen is the ultimate thrift-shopping haven. Imagine, bloggers like Jakarta-based Tiny Little Fingers and Fashion Maverick frequent the market on a weekly basis!

The items in Pasar Senen are just as good as the ones found in Pasar Baru, yet what truly sets Pasar Senen apart is the fact that the prices here can be almost half of what you pay in Pasar Baru… that means, the prices range from Rp.5.000 to Rp.30.000 (RM1.5 – RM10)!

This surely does sound mouthwatering, but remember, there are many things to keep in mind when you are thinking of paying a visit to Pasar Senen. Unlike Pasar Baru which is obviously a tourist site, you must be cautious in Pasar Senen as not many tourists come here.

Dress casually, the best is to wear a T-shirt, not to bring any jewelry with you. It’s best to keep your mobile phones or any gadgets locked in your bag, and bring lots of small change. It’s also best to prepare a bottle of water and a small towel, as it can get rather hot inside!

Once you’re all prepared for the thrifting adventure at Pasar Senen, you’ll surely come back for more!