Fairly used clothes, popularly known as “Okirika’’ or “second hand clothes” are enjoying more patronage in Lagos State, than the “readymade” during this yuletide season

Some traders in “second hand cloths,” at the Balogun Market Lagos, who spoke with newsmen last Saturday, said the clothes had many customers.

Mrs Nkechi Nwafor, a dealer in second hand clothes, said since the beginning of December, her shop witnessed influx of people from different places patronising her goods.

She said prices of the fairly used clothes were gradually increasing since it gained more popularity than the new ones, adding that she dealt on quality first grade second hand clothes.

Nwafor said a bale of second hand clothes ranged between N40, 000 and N50, 000, depending on the maker of the product.

She said the bale of clothes consisted of childrens’ wears, trousers, skirts, gowns and shirts.

Mrs Amaka Okpara, another trader, said most customers called her to book for first grade clothes.

She said she paid more for American bales which had quality clothes in them, and took her time to ensure she got good clothes in order to get more customers.

Okpara said the patronage was high this season as most people discovered the beauty of fairly used clothes.

Mrs Bola Iyanda, a customer at the market, said she liked second hand clothes because of its durability.

She said she selected jean trousers for her sons from the “bend down boutique” as she called it, adding that she spent just N3,500 to purchase the trousers as opposed to N6,000 she spent last year on readymade ones.

Mrs Ifeoma Ogueri, another customer, said she preferred second hand clothes because they were affordable and more durable than the new ones.