August 27, 2023
Habiba Abdalla

While the Egyptian economy has been suffering for many years, no one anticipated the economic meltdown in March 2023, which caused the Egyptian pound to lose half its value. This devaluation in the currency increased the prices for imported goods. In return, fast fashion brands in Egypt took advantage of the situation and increased their prices, sparking heated discussions on social media. 

However, during economic hardships, people can take action in managing their finances by exploring  cost-effective approaches to shopping. For instance, thrifting – the purchase of second-hand items at a reasonable price was popularized because of the obscene prices of imported fashion. 

With the cost of living crisis that has affected almost all social classes, thrifting is a budget-friendly solution which allows individuals to explore unique items at a fraction of their original items. By adopting this mindful approach, Egyptians can definitely save their money to maximize their budget’s potential as they become more aware of the true worth of products and better understand the importance of making well-informed financial decisions. 

Engy Ahmed, the founder of @CuratedFinds on Instagram shares her experience in starting up her account along with her daughter during Covid. She highlights her concept of fulfilling the Egyptians’ needs in wanting to buy designer items, but her items are sold at a more reasonable price. She agrees that people in Egypt are mostly influenced by trends and their image.

Other than that, thrift shops around the world are a common source for clothing, furniture, electronics, which may be no longer available at brand stores. This diversity in the product range allows them to explore hard-to-find items that better express themselves and reflect their personal style whilst being on budget. In that sense, Wekallet-El-Ballah – which is the local market for pre-owned items, has always been there, yet is now gradually becoming a mainstream choice, especially by the younger generation. Thanks to social media and the “Wekalla Shopping Haul” that never fail to go viral every time they are posted on platforms like Tiktok and Instagram, thrifting is now trendy and cool. 

Although thrifting might be in demand now more than ever, it is still only viewed solely for its financial benefit rather than its critical role in promoting sustainability. This is why, in addition to thrifting’s financial advantages, choosing to buy second-hand means contributing to reducing the demand for new production which is certainly caused by overconsumption of Egyptians in the market.

A thrift shop owner, Yousra Borham who had set up @Thriftdrobe, believes that although some people consider thrifting only from a financial perspective, the fact that it has now become more common than ever is undeniable.

She comments: “The future of thrifting is growing, especially due to the prices of fast fashion brands and given the economic circumstances in Egypt.” 

It is also important to realize that thrift stores are often operated by small business owners, who obviously play a critical role in supporting the local economy. Unfortunately, they are now struggling to stay afloat. By purchasing from them, consumers are injecting money directly into their community, stimulating economic activity, and potentially opening up job opportunities. 

As Egypt navigates its way through this financial downturn, it is highly valuable for Egyptians to consider proven strategies from other countries such as the UK and Sweden, and begin implementing them. And while Egyptian education does not promote sustainability and the environmental consciousness, social media could be the way to start. Therefore, people in Egypt need to start taking responsibility and act accordingly during this crisis to pursue a better financial stability, especially by supporting their local community.

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