Lagos women rush ‘second-hand’ bras

The second-hand underwear market in Lagos is experiencing important progress, which isn’t information.

What’s new is the rising demand for used bras.

Some girls say that their selections when shopping for bras are based mostly on affordability, sturdiness, and high quality.

Many say they select pretty used bras, popularly often called “Okrika,” as a result of they’re principally obtainable, reasonably priced, and sturdy.

In Lagos State, along with busy markets equivalent to Tejuosho, Balogun, and Katangowa, thrift bras might be present in smaller markets, shops, and roadside merchants.

Peace Okeke, often known as ‘Woman Bra’ amongst her prospects in Festac City, in Amuwo Odofin Native Authorities Space of the state, says she has been within the commerce for over 18 years.

In line with Mrs Okeke, a lot of her prospects have come to belief high-quality, first-grade thrift bras since she began the enterprise.

Mrs Okeke, who sells thrift and new bras, says first-grade second-hand bras have gotten more and more widespread for these in search of affordability, sturdiness, and luxury.

“I’ve been within the enterprise for 18 years and have seen how individuals’s preferences modified. Most individuals desire it. One, it’s sturdy and long-lasting when in use. Secondly, it’s low-cost, it’s reasonably priced. Anyone can afford it,” she mentioned.

She notes that new bras, notably from top-tier worldwide manufacturers, can price between N15,000 and N50,000 or extra. Nonetheless, thrift bras of comparable high quality can be found for as little as N5,000.

“Folks purchase new ones, however the common individual, particularly these with restricted revenue, can comfortably get thrift bras for N5,000. You can too get three bras for a similar value as one new bra, and they’ll final so long as you want them to,” she explains.

Well being considerations

Whereas some could hesitate to purchase second-hand bras, primarily as a result of social stigma or hygiene considerations, Mrs Okeke confused the worth of buying thrift objects.

She says thrift bras are the higher alternative for these on a price range.

“The financial scenario within the nation is sophisticated. Some individuals have the cash to get N15,000 or N20,000. I’ll advise those that can’t afford to: As a substitute of spending N15,000 on one bra, you should utilize that N15,000 to get three good bras.

“They’ll final you so long as you need with out spoiling until you determine to vary your underwear,” she mentioned.

Relating to hygiene, Mrs Okeke says washing them correctly with heat water and salt is the straightforward answer.

She says her prospects haven’t reported any points with hygiene and infections and that some even use the identical cleansing methodology for thrift underwear, which she says sells in massive portions.

“Even individuals go so far as utilizing it to clean thrift pants, they usually put on it. No germs. No illnesses,” she says.

Additionally, Aisha Lawal, a dealer at Orile Market, says the financial hardship has pushed many ladies to hunt out thrift bras as a substitute.

“I promote each new and pretty used bras, however the pretty used ones promote quicker, and many ladies desire them as a result of they’re stronger, cheaper and last more than the brand new ones,” she says.

Mrs Lawal, who has been within the enterprise for over 15 years, says prospects can get a good-quality thrift bra for as little as N1,500 to N2,000, whereas a brand new one of many similar high quality will price N20,000 or extra.

She says sturdiness and affordability are the promoting level of thrift bras.

“Not like many new bras that may lose their elasticity and high quality rapidly, considerably cheaper mass-produced ones, thrift bras, usually sourced from respected areas just like the UK, are identified for his or her resilience. Even these with bigger busts, ceaselessly neglected in mainstream shops, can discover a fairly priced, well-fitting, long-lasting bra from thrift shops.

Mrs Lawal advises patrons to soak their thrift bras in sizzling water and disinfectant earlier than washing to kill germs.

She acknowledges the supply of high quality bras: “A few of these pretty used bras come from the UK and USA, and they’re of higher high quality than a budget, new ones.”

Once more, individuals’s considerations are hygiene and correct care about second-hand objects, particularly underwear.

In line with Olayemi Adebayo, she buys thrift bras in good situation as a result of they’re extra reasonably priced and, most occasions, higher than new ones.

Mrs Adebayo says she has not had points with hygiene as a result of she washes it correctly earlier than use.

Extra views

Nonetheless, Tolu Adebiyi, a banker, says that high quality, hygiene, and notion of used objects are additionally important issues for her when shopping for underwear.

“I solely purchase new bras. I imagine undergarments needs to be private and new. I don’t really feel comfy sporting one thing that another person has used. I perceive that pretty used bras are extra reasonably priced, however I’d relatively save and purchase new ones,” she says.

Remilekun Moses, a lingerie businesswoman, says thrift tendencies is not going to influence underwear manufacturers.

“They’ve their market share and supply extra trendy and sensual designs utilizing luxurious materials,’’ she says.

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In line with Moses, a digital marketer, native and worldwide underwear manufacturers are increasing their attain by focusing on the center and higher courses by social media.

Thrifts have gotten greater than only a development; they’re a life-style for a lot of.

Folks more and more flip to second-hand items to save cash as a result of they’re usually made with higher-quality supplies that last more.

For a lot of, thrift bras are not seen as second-rate choices however progressive, sensible options that ship high quality and affordability.

(NAN)