Jeans at a flea market Photo: VCG
With an unattractive exterior and yet surprisingly attractive items sold inside, secondhand clothing stores have been gaining popularity among Israelis, especially in recent years as the costs of living continues to rise higher and higher.
According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the inflation rate in the country hit 5.2 percent in July, the highest since October 2008, before falling back to 4.6 percent in September. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has also forced many to cut spending.
In the light of the affordability issue, shoppers are now naturally drawn to used apparel, shoes, bags, and accessories that are usually priced at half or even less that of new design items.
In a secondhand shop in Jerusalem, for instance, prices for women’s tops vary from between 20 to 80 shekels ($5.6 to 22.5), depending on condition, while new clothes in similar styles tend to