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An array of apparels seen on display at a second-hand shop at Sekho complex in Kohima town.[/caption]
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 30 : The craze for used clothes is on, not only among womenfolk but men too. Men are seen thronging second hand shops too. The demand for high-street fashion brands at pocket-friendly prices is attracting people from all walks of life.
Name any article of clothing for men, women, children and even babies: shirts, pants, shoes, bags, coats, jackets, socks, gloves, sweaters, caps, blankets, curtains, bed sheets etc.,—even lingerie. They can be seen attractively displayed in an array of colour, design, and size.
With Mercury dipping, men and women can be seen thronging second-hand shops in various pockets of Kohima town for head-to-toe clothing, all bargaining for the best price.
Second-hand clothing distribution is said to have taken place before the ‘60s with hand-me-down or gifts of used clothing from friends and family. But its evolution probably began in earnest in the late ‘60s with the emergence of second-hand shops and thrift stores.
Used clothes were imported from Europe, the USA, South Korea, Australia, Japan and Singapore and Thailand. They are being sold in bulk at wholesale markets in New Delhi from where consignments are transported to the state by dealers.
Second hand shops have become very popular in many areas of the world, particularly in the north east. Confirming this, Asikho, a dealer who brings in consignments from Delhi to supply his customers, said Manipur and Mizoram have ‘overtaken Nagaland’ during the past few years.
Nagaland, he said, once dominated the market with Dimapur being the booming hub. Being ‘old customers’ (valued customers), Asikho said second-hand retailers from Dimapur get ‘more privilege both in terms of quality and quantity of products.’
No doubt, the clothing help people save money in return for quality and brand. However, as is commonly believed, second hand clothes are not always for the poor or middle class. Yet, even wealthy individuals can be seen shopping at these shops for designer clothing.
Shopping for some has become an addiction as Kezienuo, a shopper, puts it. She expressed a love for second-hand clothes ‘any day.’ She has a huge pile of collection even though she usually doesn’t wear everything she buys.
For some it is a fashion statement. Take Akokla, a fashionable young woman. ‘Being a fashionable woman myself, many a times I can’t afford designer clothing at retail store, but am able to buy fashionable branded clothing at reasonable prices from second-hand shops as per my needs,’ she explains.
Another aspect that adds to buyers’ loyalty is that second-hand apparel also offers styles and designs that usually wouldn’t be hand in retail stores. This is an opportunity for fashionable men and women to make unique fashion statements.
Grace, a young working woman said second-hand clothes come as a ‘blessing’ for people from low economic backgrounds; they cannot afford new clothing which, also, is usually quiet expensive. Apart from the economic benefits, Grace added that they come in good quality and offer choices. ‘If not for second-hand clothes, I won’t have anything to wear’!
Toto, a young man shopping for leather jackets with a group of friends, said good leather jackets from the showrooms are quiet expensive. ‘How can women not love to shop for second-hand clothes?’ exclaimed Toto. ‘We are also quiet getting used to going around from the endless shops.’
The booming second-hand business is no doubt serving the needs of many families, both poor and rich. It has also become a source of livelihoods of many as much.
In Kohima, as can be seen, most of business has been taken by locals especially by women who are supporting the education of their children and siblings.
Don’t stay cold this winter. With the Hornbill Festival fast approaching, it’s time to grab some woollen caps, mufflers, socks, sweaters, jackets and gloves, and be prepared to warmly welcome the winter. Happy shopping!