Even a few years ago, buying used clothes in Bangladesh was considered a social stigma. People saw it as something you do out of necessity rather than choice. But because of the social media wave, that perception is changing gradually. We started noticing small online thrift stores selling clothes that were surprisingly good in quality.

Second-hand clothes aren’t really new in Bangladesh. Places like New Market, Nurjahan, and the thrift stores around Dhaka College have always been part of our everyday shopping. But something about the mindset has changed.

Today’s buyers, especially the younger generation, see thrifting as a style choice. They want to look exclusive rather than blend in. Sometimes they look for individualised, vintage, Y2K and oversized pieces that are difficult to find in regular stores.

And that’s really why thrifting is appealing because here, each item is sold as a one-piece, one-size, one-design, never repeated.

Then comes the cost. For the price of one outfit, the buyer can get 5-6 outfits. So if you love trying new fashion but can’t always afford it, thrifting is the perfect option.

Think about it. Many of us have grown up wearing our mother’s old sarees or our father’s shirts that no longer fit them. So, the idea of wearing pre-loved clothes isn’t really new to us. Thrifting is simply giving that familiar habit a new meaning for today’s generation.

What’s even more surprising is who’s actually running these thrift pages. If we look closely, many of the owners are students. For these young entrepreneurs, it started as a simple side hustle to make some extra money. But eventually it grew into something much bigger.

Tanzina Rahman is one of them. When she started her Kawaii Thrift BD page, the idea was simply to earn some money. But eventually it meant much more to her.

“I have gained regular customers who feel like family, and they are a community of ethical fashion enthusiasts. Nowadays, people really don’t care about whether this dress is second-hand or not because they want exclusivity.”

For young entrepreneurs like Tanzina, the appeal is not just about selling clothes. The low cost of starting a thrift business also makes it accessible to students and young people.

From the business perspective, thrift stores can also be started with relatively low investment. Young entrepreneurs can source clothes from different suppliers, curate good pieces, photograph them, and sell them through Facebook, Instagram, or other online platforms without needing a physical shop. This makes it easier for students and young people to start small and gradually expand.

Social media and influencers have also played a big role in making thrift shopping more socially acceptable and trendy.

Young people saw that opportunity. So instead of being seen as a backup option, thrifting is slowly becoming a fashion choice and, for young Bangladeshis, a perfect business opportunity too.

Though thrift stores are still in their early stages in Bangladesh, physical outlets remain relatively rare. Most of the activity is still online, run by individuals rather than large companies. But for a growing number of young people, thrifting is no longer just a side hobby. It has become a real business.