Treasurer in a Bargain

                                            

In 2023, studies show that over 24.2 million people across all income levels bought second hand clothes with 91.5% of households purchasing items valued under KSh1000. This led the country to collect over 16 billion revenue and created 2 million jobs for people. According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics ( KNBS), the value of second hand imports surged to KSh28 billion in the year ending March 2024 which is a 33.3% increase driven by high demand for affordable clothing.

Second hand clothing also known as thrifting are being preferred by youths primarily for affordability enabling them to purchase them including high end brands at a fraction of the original cost. They also seek a unique, one of a kind vintage piece that allows for personal style expression which makes them stand out rather than wearing mass produced identical clothing. 

With the growing awareness of environmental protection, many youths are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of fashion products and prefer to reduce waste and pollution to contribute to the fight against environmental pollution.

Second hand clothes are often considered better quality than new fast fashion items after having proven durability with the previous use. Social media platform like Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook have made thrifting trending with influencers sharing styling tips for clothes making it cool,chic and popular with vintage style one of the most valuable styles. 

The 3-3-3 rule in fashion has also popularized thrifting ; 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 pairs of shoes has allowed for creation of dozens of stylish outfits for people. This has led to youths creating extravaganzas and festivals to showcase and appreciate fashion in its sense and interact with aesthetics of different people.

Thrifting can also improve mental health by acting as a form of treasure hunt which boosts dopamine and lifts the mood after a successful bargain of an item of ones taste reducing stress levels. It also reduces financial anxiety by thrifting at a lower cost and is a coping mechanism for emotions. Creating a unique taste suiting wardrobe creates a feeling of appreciation and boosts one self-esteem and confidence. This brings forth a sense of control and empowerment in a being.

Second hand clothes popularly known as  mitumba have evolved from a basic necessity into a cultural and fashion movement that drives the economy and a cultural identity. From markets like Gikomba in Nairobi and Kongowea in Mombasa to social media resale pages, they provide affordable style and create jobs for millions and empower youth entrepreneurship. A report made by Institute of Economic Affairs ( IRA) on behalf of Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya, MCAK, titled "A future look at the apparel and footwear industry in Kenya(2022-2037) highlights the growing importance of the mitumba sector in Kenya's economy.

Second hand clothing have transitioned form a neccesity driven choice to a defined modern style. The treasure hunt for second hand clothing provides a unique thrill that's mass production cannot replicate. Second hand clothes reduces demand for water, energy and reduced landfill waste made toxic chemicals from manufacturing new clothes which brings a positive impact in environmental conservation. Although mitumba pose healthy risks such as skin diseases if not handled properly,the government is improving sanitization efforts and proper disinfection of the goods to improve safety to it's consumers. It is an undeniable fact that second hand clothes clothes have revolutionized the concept of dressing and fashion. By creating a unique dress code we tell our own story and remind ourselves that true style is not just a trend but wearing values and a sense of art.