Though most things are better brand new, others just get better with time. Fine wines, favorite movies, classic songs, true friendships and certainly clothes. In the last ten years, the secondhand clothing market has enjoyed a huge growth in popularity, especially with the younger generation. The most recent boom is the indie counterculture, led by a generation of would-be hipsters who will go to great lengths to look “different” like everybody else. But the biggest reason people love secondhand clothes is because they are cheap. Secondhand brand names and imported garments and accessories from the US, Europe, and Japan are sold for just a fraction of the regular price depending on the condition and make.
“Depending on what you are looking for and what kind of person you are, I think most people usually buy secondhand clothes based on price and quality,” says graphic designer Tip. Generally, secondhand clothing is very affordable, with prices depending on the popularity of the brand, authenticity, rarity, and condition.
Unlike brand new, fresh-from-the-factory garments, secondhand clothing and accessories more often than not are a little dirty. Unless you plan on avoiding the squalid but solid secondhand clothing mecca that is Section 5-6 of Chatuchak Market, this is not fashion for princesses. Shopping for secondhand stuff is a very selective process.
“The whole point of browsing through used dresses is to look for unique designs that you can’t find anywhere else,” says graduate student Nampueng. “The quality of the fabric is also important…you probably wouldn’t want something that falls apart when you’re right in the middle of the dance floor.”
T-shirts are a good place to start buying secondhand. The really good ones are from the US, as they have no seams on the sides and are generally softer, with more comfortable cotton blends and high quality screen-prints. Prices range from as low as B20-35 each to B250 and over, depending on the quality of the shirt, the screen-print, and its rarity. Experts suggest the best way to care for your vintage T-shirts, or any delicate clothing for that matter, is to wash them by hand.
Now that you’ve got a nifty “new” T-shirt, how about pairing it up with the perfect jeans? Jeans are probably the most widely available of all secondhand clothing sold in Thailand, and are one of the more complex things to buy: you’ll have thousands to choose from. Most secondhand jeans sell for down-to-earth prices of B650-2,000, and for that price you can find a very decent pair.
A tip for guys: to tell if the waist will fit you, wrap the waistband around your neck—the waistband should give just enough so that one or two fingers can fit through easily. But the surest bet is to try them on. Though Levis are the most popular overall, Japanese labels such as Edwin, Denim, and Bobson are strong sellers, too.
“Edwin, Denim and Bobson jeans come in styles that are suited to our more hiso customers, because they aren’t as rugged looking as Levis,” says Max of Mr. Max Shop in Section 5, Soi 2 of Chatuchak Market. Max has been selling secondhand jeans for 15 years and advises that the best way to take care of jeans is to always turn them inside-out before washing to prevent fading. Jeans aren’t meant to be washed every time you wear them, but when you do wash them, do so no more than twice a week in warm water and softener. If your jeans don’t appear too soiled, most days you can flip them inside-out and hang them outside to air-dry overnight.
Now all you need is a pair of kicks. With secondhand sneakers, it’s all about the brand, and you want to be sure you’re getting the real thing. “A lot of imitations are sold on the market. You have to be very perceptive and notice little details like the labels, the quality of the rubber on the soles, and the materials,” says Oom, vendor at Mr. Lek Shoes Shop in Section 5, Soi 2 of Chatuchak Market. A good pair of Converse All Stars from the U.S. sells for about B700-800, with vintage pairs from the 60s and 70s selling for up to B10,000. “Before, it was mainly collectors who were customers; they really knew what they were looking for. But ever since the economic crisis, the customers are now a lot younger and more knowledgeable. However, we still get kids who don’t know what they want and really just want a cool looking pair like their friends have,” says Oom.
