By Oluseye Ojo
It is the Christmas season. And many in the country have upped the ante of preparation for the time-honoured tradition of celebrating Christmas and New Year.
It has always been a season filled with joy, love, and giving. It is one time of the year that many patents have symbolically, on an annual basis, bought new clothes and toys for the children. Parents also take their kids to recreational centres to savour the joy of the season.
A lot of children have always looked forward to celebrating the season with news clothes, which they usually wear to recreational centres.
But for many, this time of the year also brings financial strain. Families, especially Christians, apart from buying new clothes, shoes and toys for themselves and kids, always buy live chicken and goats for the festivities.
But amid rising inflation in the country, a soaring cost of living and the deepening reduction in purchasing power, families, particularly parents, are feeling the pinch more than ever.
A particularly striking trend that has emerged in recent months is the growing number of parents that are turning to second-hand clothing and shoes for their children, as a way to make ends meet during this festive period.
Inflation and its impact on household budgets
The impact of inflation on household budgets has been far-reaching, affecting not just basic commodities but also essential items like clothing, food, and education.
According to recent reports, the inflation rate has been soaring, causing significant hikes in prices across many sectors.
For families that once found it relatively easy to purchase brand-new clothing for their children, especially for the holiday season, the recent price increases are making such purchases increasingly difficult.
A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Blessing Jacob, who came to purchase fairly-used clothes at Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State, told Saturday Sun: “I am a graduate of economics and you would be surprised to see me here, buying fairly used clothes. I work in a good place and I earn salary
“But the salary is not enough to cater for many expenses at home. My husband does not have much. So, majority of the responsibilities at home are on me.
“I am looking at the second week of January when primary and secondary schools will reopen for second term. The school fees are waiting for us. Instead of buying expensive clothes, I decided to come and buy the second-hand clothes in order to save money for financial tasks ahead.
“Now let me talk as an economist; the combination of inflation and a weakened national currency has led to rising prices of imported goods, which include a large percentage of new clothes.
“Items that were once affordable, such as stylish jackets or trendy Christmas outfits, now seem to be out of reach for many parents. This has driven an increasing number of parents to seek alternative solutions that offer better value for their money.
“The situation of things has made second-hand clothing, once seen as a less favourable option, to become an attractive alternative.
“Do you know that thrift stores, online platforms, and second-hand marketplaces are now packed with gently used children’s clothing at a fraction of the cost of new items? As families struggle to keep up with mounting living costs, the rise in popularity of second-hand clothing has turned into a significant trend, with more and more parents choosing to buy pre-loved clothes for their kids.
High cost of living and strain on families
Public opinion polls conducted revealed that it is not just inflation that is affecting household budgets. The cost of living across the country has been steadily climbing, making it harder for families to afford even the most basic necessities.
It was gathered that families are finding it increasingly difficult to stretch their monthly incomes across skyrocketing utility bills to the increasing price of petrol and transportation.
With just about four days to Christmas, the desire to give children a memorable and special holiday experience has only heightened the pressure.
While parents may want to buy new clothes, toys, or gifts for their children, they are forced to prioritise essential needs such as food, shelter and healthcare.
Findings further showed that many parents are faced with the agonising decision of whether to spend a significant portion of their income on new outfits for their children for Christmas or whether they should redirect that money towards paying their rent, purchasing groceries, or ensuring their children’s education remains uninterrupted.
It was stated that in the face of such financial constraints, second-hand clothing provides a viable solution.
“The option to buy gently used clothing allows parents to provide for their children’s needs, while still maintaining some levels of comfort and style.
“It’s also an eco-friendly solution, as it helps reduce waste and promote sustainability, a factor that has gained more attention in recent years,” Akeem Abas, the treasurer, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, stated.
It was also discovered that many young ladies have also been patronising second-hand clothes sellers for their jeans, skirts, and tops.
One of the ladies, who preferred anonymity, said: “I am a student of a higher institution in Oyo State. I am a regular customer of second-hand clothes sellers in Dugbe here in Ibadan.
“New clothes that are of high quality are too expensive. But I can get the same quality when I go for fairly-used clothes. I only need to select good ones. All I need to do after buying them is to wash them very well. People don’t even know that I wear fairly used clothes because of their quality. They always admire me.
“For this Christmas, that is what I go for. Many young ladies that you see in town, you may not know that they are wearing second-hand clothes.”
Rise of thrift shopping culture
One of the discoveries from the sellers and buyers of fairly used clothes is a thrift shopping.
As gathered, it was once considered an alternative for the less affluent. But it has transformed into a cultural shift. Thrift shopping has evolved into a popular trend among all classes of society, with the help of a growing awareness of environmental issues and the high cost of living.
It was said that thrift stores have been able to attract a broad spectrum of customers, from budget-conscious parents to fashion-forward individuals looking for unique or vintage pieces.
“More than just a trend, second-hand shopping has become a lifestyle choice for many people, particularly the younger generation who are more attuned to sustainability and reducing waste.
“With the growth of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, thrift shopping has gained a new level of visibility. Parents are now more comfortable sharing their finds on social media, showcasing how they are dressing their children stylishly, all while saving money and contributing to a more sustainable world.
“There are also online platforms and second-hand marketplaces that make it easier for parents to access second-hand clothing for their children. These platforms provide an accessible and user-friendly way for parents to browse through thousands of listings for pre-owned kids’ clothes, allowing them to shop from the comfort of their homes.
“The ease of online shopping combined with the affordability of second-hand clothing makes it an appealing choice for parents looking to maximise their budgets, especially during this holiday season,” Mrs. Patience Njoku, said during an encounter with Saturday Sun at Dugbe Market in Ibadan.
Growing availability of quality pre-owned clothing
Findings from Ikeja, Ogba and Ojodu-Berger in Lagos also revealed that one of the reasons parents now embrace second-hand clothing for their kids is the growing availability of quality pre-owned items.
Many parents, these days, are pleasantly surprised to find that second-hand clothing could be just as stylish and durable as brand-new items. They have been finding the clothes in nearly new condition, and some with the original tags still attached. These are so commonplace in thrift stores and online second-hand marketplaces.
It was further gathered that the online platforms have added a level of convenience for parents searching for good-quality second-hand clothing. Parents are now able to filter and search by brand, size, and condition, ensuring that they are getting items that meet their standards.
For children, this means getting trendy clothes, like designer jeans or branded sneakers, for a fraction of the price they would pay at retail stores. Furthermore, buying second-hand clothing can also reduce the likelihood of wearing out clothes too quickly, as many pre-owned clothes are already broken in, offering a softer and more comfortable fit than brand-new items.
It was also discovered that parents that embrace second-hand shopping are finding that they could purchase far more clothing for their children for the same amount of money they would spend on a single new outfit.
This has probably been allowing them to provide a wide variety of outfits for their kids, giving them more options for the holiday season, all without the guilt or financial burden of overspending.
Findings from new, fairly used clothes sellers
A tour of some markets in Ibadan, including Bola Ige International Market, New Gbagi, Aleshinloye, Ogunpa, and Dugbe, where both new and fairly used clothes are being sold revealed that sellers of second-handing clothing have more customers than those selling new quality clothes.
A cloth seller at New Gbagi in Ibadan, Mrs. Ayo Dawodu, told Saturday Sun: “We sell new clothes. I am not the owner of the shop. Customers have reduced. The clothes we sell are for high class people. But majority of them are not coming forth to buy clothes this year. But we thank God that we are still making sales, but they are very low.”
One of the Ankara sellers at Aleshinloye Market, Mrs. Aina Ayoade, stated that people, especially those that want to do wedding and other big ceremonies, have been patronising ankara sellers.
“We sell inexpensive, moderately expensive and highly expensive Ankara. But we make more sales with inexpensive ankara,” she stated.
A seller of second-hand clothing, Caroline Agbo, said: “I have many customers coming to buy my goods. In fact, I have some special customers. They only come to select the best from my goods whenever I have new arrivals of clothing.
“Some of them would not want people that know them to meet them here. So, I select the best for them and I would take them to their houses.”
Tailors strike gold
It was also discovered that tailors are making brisk money in the section of fairly used clothes selling in different markets. At Dugbe in Ibadan, there are many standby tailors that are always ready to make necessary adjustments to fairly clothes purchased by some people.
Both young and hold were noticed giving their second-hand clothing to tailors to adjust for them. The clothes include jeans, pant trousers, and suits, which cut across both male and female folks.
A commercial driver, who simply introduced himself as Anthony, plying Ogba to Berger in Lagos, told Saturday Sun that his priority is to provide food for his family.
“The first thing is for them not to get hungry. Once I am able to put moderate food on their table this Christmas, they should not ask me for clothes. If I have, I will buy fairly used clothes for them. “
A private car owner at Alausa, Ikeja Lagos, who intriduced himself as Benson, in a chat with this reporter, stated: “It is clear that economic pressures and rising costs are forcing many to reconsider their traditional holiday shopping habits. While Christmas shopping once meant heading to the nearest mall to buy the latest toys and clothing, for many parents, this year’s holiday shopping might involve browsing thrift stores or online second-hand marketplaces in search of high-quality, affordable clothes for their kids.
“But for me, I give the best to my children. I will not say more than that. My children have not worn second-hand clothes in their lives. I will continue to do my best for them and I will also help the underprivileged, apart from doing the work of God.”