In Ipoh, Malaysia, the pop-up market Pekan Pop Up has become a popular treasure-hunting spot for second-hand clothing enthusiasts. Founded in 2023 by Amirul Zuhari and his partner Azmin, the market was initially intended to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs. Starting with only about 20 stalls, it has since grown steadily, attracting vendors from Johor, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, and beyond, and frequently collaborates with the Perak state government and local authorities on events, further elevating Ipoh's status as a second-hand clothing market hub in northern Malaysia.

The second-hand clothing industry draws on diverse sources across Europe and Asia. Market vendors typically buy "bales" from wholesalers sourced from Japan, South Korea, and the United States, each weighing 30 to 50 kilograms and priced at 100 to 200 ringgit, from which only 20 to 30 pieces of quality clothing are selected. Bales come in different grades, with higher grades costing more. Common brands include Uniqlo, Ralph Lauren, Nike, and Adidas. Some vintage Adidas apparel discontinued in the 1980s and 1990s can be worth thousands of ringgit to collectors.

Addressing hygiene concerns, vendors emphasize that strict processing is carried out before sale: washing, bleaching, deodorizing, drying, and ironing. Some high-value vintage items are also repaired and dyed. If items get damp on rainy days, they are immediately sent to a laundromat for reprocessing, costing 100 to 200 ringgit each time.

The market offers a rich variety of goods. Beyond commonly worn T-shirts, shirts, jeans, and jackets, there are also hats, bags, shoes, and jerseys, with an emphasis on the uniqueness of each second-hand garment. Consumers mostly favor local everyday wear preferences, so vendors select practical styles for the area, while trendy features such as Y2K style are also present.

Beyond physical displays, the market is accompanied by coffee and snacks, creating a relaxed treasure-hunting atmosphere. Many customers still compare prices online, while traditional market buyers can also try items on and touch them, experiencing the authenticity that online transactions lack. Vendor Sa'awah, who has been in the second-hand jersey business for six years, sources most of his goods from Japan and South Korea. Some out-of-print jerseys can fetch over a thousand ringgit, and online sales are mostly to buyers who are professional collectors.

For the founders, promoting resource recycling and conveying the idea that "old things shouldn't be discarded" is precisely the point: "Thrift is not trash." As the market expands, vendors have developed differentiated specialties, and healthy competition has instead helped grow the industry as a whole.

Source: 市集这样逛 | 二手衣市集寻宝 逛Pekan Pop Up打造个性穿搭 - 地方 - 时事焦点 · Originally published on 2026-08-30