By Willie Gordon Suting
The American rapper Macklemore had a hit song called Thrift Shop where he spun a tale of him buying used-clothing and accessories. Shillong’s youth have a knack for absorbing everything of American pop-culture.
In these recent years, the second-hand clothing shops in Laitumkhrah have witnessed a boom in business.
College goers, who cannot afford going for high-end brands stepping into posh showrooms, have found a wise alternative.
Second-hand clothes, to judge by quality, are tastefully designed with minute attention given to cuts, stitching and type of materials. They also last for years.
If a shopper happens to be lucky, he could get a good bargain for an American-made Gap trench-coat, a Visvim military jacket or even a Tommy Hilfiger stole.
Shillong is known to be meta-conscious of current changing trends in western world, and the youth who keenly observe what their favourite musicians wear in music videos want to replicate them in every way.
As they say, dressing well brings forth confidence in a person. The youth of Shillong have learnt to make do with a tight budget. Having to depend on parents for pocket money and daily expenses, second-hand clothing comes to them as a boon.
Located near Don Bosco Square, the shops are owned by the Marbaniang sisters — Plesmily, Aitimeris, Bridilian and Lestiful.
The hangers have dresses, crop-tops and skirts of different hues for women. There are denim jackets, trench-coats, blazers and checked lumberjack shirts for men.
Mostly during the daytime, college students throng the place
going through its vast collection of clothing.
“College students have come to choose second-hand clothes because they’re of a different quality. This mainly has been our selling point,” says Lestiful.
The second-hand clothes are transported from Western and Asian countries to developing countries, India being one, as charity donations. The second-hand clothes that are supplied from Upper Iewduh come from New Delhi.
“In Upper Iewduh, we do select first the type of garments as some come soiled and damaged. We discard those taking only the good quality ones,” says Aitimeris.
Bought on wholesale rate, the clothes are then being transported to Laitumkhrah.
Liviya Kharmalki, a young customer, told Sunday Shillong, “I had to attend a party last month, and bought a floral dress from here. I got it for a mere 300 rupees!”
“Indie and hip-hop fashion is what’s trending now, and I feel these shops cater well to our needs,” says Badahun Kharlukhi, a college goer.
Lately, the shop owners have witnessed customers from different professions coming in.
“Professors and government officers regularly come here to shop also requesting us to keep their desired clothing,” says Bridilian.
Fashion and trends change from time to time and the Marbaniang sisters keep up well with the pace.
“Nowadays, girls love crop-tops. But who knows, next year they would be sporting colourful t-shirts,” says Plesmily humorously.
During summers, dresses, shirts, t-shirts, and track suits are a source of good business for the shop. In winters, it is trench-coats, denim jackets and sweaters.
“We earn on average approximately Rs 10,000 in a day. The business is good,” adds Aitimeris.