A shirt worth Rs 10, luxury clothing at steal prices and vintage finds. You can find all these and more, in the city, through garage sales, thrift stores, websites and even apps which are promoting and selling pre-owned clothing. With Ashvita Events’ Soda Pop sale, that will be curating vintage products as well as second-hand clothing, is right around the corner, we talk to Chennaiites about the new trend and what’s so enticing about owning second-hand goods, luxury or otherwise.
Says Anvita Mehra, co-founder of Confidential Couture, an e-commerce portal selling second-hand luxury products says, “High-end luxury items are extremely sought-after — off late there is a visible surge in demand also. Second-hand stores are beneficial for many people because it gives them access to designer bags and accessories, at exceptional prices,” she says.
With apps such as Spoyl, that allows users to buy and sell pre-owned clothing, also coming into the market, it’s evident that pre-loved goods are the new trendy possessions. Sruthi Kannath, a celebrity stylist explains, “The advantage of owning hand-me-downs in Chennai is that people don’t follow fashion seasons or trends very strictly. So as long as you know how to carry off an older product in today’s scenario, it’s perfectly okay!”
Trash and Treasures in Porur is a unique thrift store, the proceeds from which go to Little Drops, a home for the elderly. Program co-ordinator A Muthukumar tells us about the three-storey store, “We pick up clothes from the public and sell them at our thrift shop to raise money for medical expenses at the home. We look at the quality of the material and price it accordingly — a basic shirt would cost you as little as Rs 10!”
Muthukumar adds, “We get people from all walks of life who want to buy clothes at a cheaper price.” During a visit, we were even able to spot Steve Madden shoes and Mango shorts for even less than quarter the real value!”
A proud thrifter, Pallavi Nair enjoys shopping for clothing at throw-away prices. When asked why it’s a good option, she says, “I love getting clothes that are pre-owned, giving them a good wash or two and wearing them better than most people wearing branded goods. I’d rather dig for great clothing at a second-hand store than go into a brand’s store and spend a kidney!” She goes on to say, “I’ve thrifted in Bulgaria and the Philippines and a few times in Chennai as well. But the lack of second-hand clothing could be because of India’s obsession with carrying brands, and also the misconception that only expensive clothing is cool.
But I’m happy that so many second-hand options are becoming available.”
So, there you have it, if you want bragging rights and tell all your friends that you bought your clothing under Rs 500, second-hand is the hand for you!
