KUCHING: As dusk settles beneath the Satok flyover, rows of car boots flick open, lights flicker on and the inaugural Kuching Car Boot Sales 2026 comes alive.
Despite the light drizzle earlier in the evening that dampened foot traffic, the first Kuching Car Boot Sales of 2026 carried on with quiet resilience, reflecting the growing appeal of a thrift culture in the city.
Organised by the Kuching Car Boot Sale Community (KCBS), the two-day event took place from Jan 3 to 4, running from 5pm to 11pm, drawing both seasoned sellers and curious shoppers in search of affordable and unique finds.
Pre-loved clothing emerged as the most dominant feature of the sale, with vendors displaying their goods directly from car boots.
The offerings ranged from every day wear and children’s clothing to headscarves, shoes and fashion accessories, reinforcing the event’s appeal as a casual, community-driven alternative to conventional retail spaces.
The strong turnout for these items mirrored increasing public interest in sustainable fashion, where secondhand pieces are valued not only for their price but also for their character and individuality.
Among the sellers was Sharifah Nurul Balqis Wan Iswandi, an iCATS University College student who runs THRIFTLAH! with her friends.
What started as a casual way to fill their free time gradually turned into a small but growing pre-loved business.
The 25-years-old shared that visitor turnout at the car boot sale had been fairly encouraging, although heavy rain earlier on Saturday affected the crowd size.
“At my stall, we have a wide variety of pre-loved items, including hijabs, clothes, skirts, baby clothing, and makeup bags.
“The biggest crowd-pullers are definitely the discounted clothing items. We often hold late-night ‘lelong’ (clearance) sales, usually starting around 9pm, where items are sold at sharply reduced prices.
“For example, an item or two originally priced at RM10 or RM12 are dropped to RM5, making higher-priced items more affordable and attractive to shoppers,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
According to her, the appeal of car boot sales lies in the face-to-face experience.
“Buyers enjoy being able to see, touch and try on pre-loved items in person, and some also appreciate the opportunity to negotiate prices directly, creating a more interactive and engaging shopping experience.
“We get a mix of returning buyers and first-timers. It’s clear that car boot sales and thrifting are really catching on, especially with younger shoppers,” she said enthusiastically.
Much of her stock comes from her own wardrobe and those of family members, well-kept pieces that no longer fit or are no longer worn.
Catering largely to Gen Z and Y2K styles, her items are priced between RM2 and RM50, making them accessible to almost anyone.
A few rows away, veteran seller Mohammad Azmi, 50, quietly arranges rows of sturdy boots.
With more than 15 years in the pre-loved business, he runs DM AZ’S Enterprise, specialising mainly in branded boots such as Dr Martens.
His journey into the trade was unplanned, as he decided to pursue the business out of interest after the manufacturing plant where he worked as a senior supervisor shut down.
What began as a coincidence eventually became a long-term passion.
“Rain definitely affects turnout. The response is usually much stronger on dry days.
“For me, car boot sales are mainly a way to clear excess stock, since I also run a small shop from my home in Taman Hussein where regular customers drop by,” he said
Most of his boots are sourced from the United Kingdom and other overseas suppliers.
Beyond physical sales, he also sells online, with orders coming in from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and even Pontianak.
Prices vary depending on brand and condition, with some pairs priced at RM200 and above.
People, he believes, come to car boot sales looking for something different.
“They want items you can’t easily find in malls. The fun is in discovering rare or unique pieces that aren’t easily available anywhere else, which makes browsing really exciting. That’s what makes it exciting,” he said.
For those interested in browsing more options, Mohammad Azmi can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17mctKu942/?mibextid=wwXIfr and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dm_azs?igsh=czc1b2l5cDZubXVt
And when the clothes and boots are sorted, sometimes it’s the accessories that complete the look.
For Amirul Akmal, 30, a hospital staff member, runs his small pre-loved business, Amsdgrtp, focusing mostly on caps, though he occasionally sells pre-loved clothing as well.
He began selling pre-loved items during the COVID-19 period in 2020, starting it as a hobby that slowly grew into an enjoyable side activity.
His stock mostly comes from bundle purchases, with prices ranging from RM20 to over RM100 depending on condition.
“Sales were a bit slower this time because of the rain, but I’m not too worried.
“And the Satok flyover works well for me since a lot of visitors are regular customers. I take part in almost every car boot sale here and usually set myself a modest goal of selling about 10 caps a day.
“For me, it’s about enjoyment. Everyone has different tastes, and finding that one piece is part of the fun,” he said.
Despite the weather challenges, sellers generally expressed satisfaction with the event’s organisation and facilities, noting that basic amenities such as toilets help make the experience more comfortable.
As car boot sales continue to pop up across Kuching, the scene under the flyover reflects a growing community, one built on shared stories, second chances for old items, and the simple joy of discovering something unexpected at the back of a car.
