You know what’s funny? When I was a kid, I didn’t even know the clothes I wore were “used.” Meri ammi Lahore ke Sunday Bazaar se layi hoti thi — kabhi Levis ka shirt hota, kabhi koi branded jacket. Mere liye toh naya hi tha. It looked good, felt good, and that’s all that mattered.

Aaj jab sunta hoon ke almost half of Pakistan’s population buys second-hand clothes, it doesn’t surprise me at all. In fact, I’m kind of proud we’ve figured out how to stretch our money and still stay stylish.

Thrift Isn’t Trendy Here — It’s Survival

Let’s face it — things are expensive. Not just “mehenga” — I mean crazy expensive. A simple t-shirt in the mall is over Rs. 3000 these days. Ab aik average Pakistani, jiska monthly salary 30–40K hai, woh kya sirf kapray hi khareedta rahe?

That’s where second-hand markets step in. Whether it's Landa Bazaar in Lahore, Empress Market in Karachi, or your local jumma bazaar, people go there because they have to — not because they’re chasing some vintage aesthetic like in the West.

Yahan toh “thrifting” ek luxury choice nahi, ek zarurat hai.

Quality Over Labels, Always

One thing I’ve learned from buying used clothes: quality matters more than the tag.
I've bought jackets that have lasted me years — better than the new stuff you find in some local brands.

Most second-hand items in Pakistan actually come from Europe, US, and the Gulf. And let's be honest, a lot of that stuff is way better than the polyester garbage sold “brand new” in fancy shops.

The Stigma? Slowly Breaking

Abhi bhi log kehte hain, “Used kapray? Ewww.”
But the truth is — more people wear them than admit it. Especially in middle- and lower-income households, second-hand clothing is a lifeline.

The cool thing? Now even students and fashion lovers are getting into it. Instagram thrift stores are popping up, selling handpicked Landa finds with a bit of styling. Log khud maan rahe hain: it’s smart, budget-friendly, and sustainable too.

Final Thoughts — Let’s Be Real

In a country jahan roti, bijli, aur petrol ke prices din ba din barh rahe hain, kapray pe paisa bachana koi buri baat nahi.
Used clothes don’t make you any less. In fact, they show how creative, practical, and smart you are with your choices.

To anyone who’s still shy about shopping second-hand — bro, welcome to reality. It’s not just you, it’s half the country. And maybe, just maybe, we should stop being embarrassed about it — and start being proud of how we make it work.