Preloved clothing—Okrika, or second hand, as it is fondly called by Nigerians—has come a long way. On a normal day in the open-air markets of Nigeria, you’ll find tonnes of struggling Nigerians huddled under shacks in search of preloved clothes that match their vibrance, energy, and day-to-day activities. 

Today, with inflation crippling the purchasing power of Nigerians, what used to be considered a last resort for those struggling to make ends meet has now evolved into a trendy and affordable fashion choice for the average Nigerian, and here are five reasons why.

1. Inflation Bites

NBS reported an inflation spike to 22.04% in March, up from 21.96% in February. With inflation rates soaring, the average Nigerian is now looking for ways to style themselves with quality and detail while saving money. Preloved clothing seems like a plausible solution for the masses and 

The number of people opting for ‘second-hand’ clothing has skyrocketed by a huge percentage. More Nigerians are starting to embrace the resourcefulness and style that pre-loved clothing offers.

2. Quality and Affordability

Fashion lovers, creatives, and even budding entrepreneurs are finding reasons to opt for preloved fashion in this inflated economy. Fast fashion has become more expensive and less durable.

The cut-and-join wears on the market lose their value after two or three uses and hardly ever fit unique and big body sizes.

Preloved clothing allows unique body types and young and vibrant minds to access quality garments at a fraction of the original price. This affordability factor has made preloved clothing popular for budget-conscious individuals.

3. Versatile and Unique Options.

Preloved clothing comes with many unique fashion tastes and styles. It gives any individual the opportunity to be different or creative. Fast fashion rarely helps one find an individual style, especially since it rides on the wings of trends.

With “second-hand” clothes, any individual can find their style while still prioritising comfort and other factors. Vintage, corporate, streetwear, or chick, any person can find the perfect clothes to match their style.

4. Low impact on the environment.

Nigerians are more eco-conscious than they’re given credit for. It’s like there is an unspoken rule to pass down clothes to siblings, cousins, and other people when they no longer fit.

Hence, the average Nigerian is concerned about the longevity of clothes when purchasing them.

This subconscious rule goes a long way towards reducing textile waste. Preloved clothes are durable and can be easily repurposed. We can’t say the same for the new clothes on the market today.

5. Social media.

In a way, social media has changed the way preloved clothing is perceived. They’ve moved from being regarded as local and unclassy to “slaying on a budget.”

Today, owning a vintage pair of jeans or a cowl-neck top has become a badge of style and individuality.  Thrift influencers are showcasing their second-hand clothes, and thriftpreneurs are levelling the packaging game and curating unique combos for these clothes.

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Netizens are even creating content around it and teaching people how to style these second-hand clothes. This guy is a good example.  Creators are showing how they re-style and breathe new life into preloved clothes.

Styling and swapping tips and tricks are all over the net, and more people are starting to realise the economic and social advantages of preloved clothing. Social media is a marketplace for this thrift store, and people are hopping on the trend.

Preloved clothing is not just a trend; it’s an economical and cultural shift to something more affordable, versatile, and individual-friendly.

It’s a redefinition of what it means to be fashionable, creative, and comfortable. And since no one is certain that inflation will lessen over time, preloved clothing will be on trend for way longer than we think.

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