By Hikmot Iyiola
Surviving the economy in style
Due to the continuous increase in clothing prices in our economy today, luxury fashion has become out of reach for many students. They, however, go for cheaper fashion options that not only look good on them but also help them stay within their means.
These days, while most students scroll through Instagram and TikTok to unwind, others scroll to sell. Across campus, social media has quietly turned into a marketplace, and thrift sellers are leading the charge. By selling affordable thrift clothes on their social media pages, they are reshaping fashion culture. This thrift trend says a lot about students' creativity and survival strategies in tough economic times, especially in Nigeria today.
Precious Babalola, a 300-level Mass Communication student and founder of Chatim Thrift Haul, said, “I was inspired to start the thrift business because I've always loved fashion, especially clothing. I wanted to create a way for people to look stylish and confident without spending too much.”
Oluwaseun Kuforiji, another thrift vendor on campus and owner of Thrill ‘n’ Shop, also narrated how her journey has been so far. Unlike Precious, Seun had another reason for venturing into the thrift business. According to her, it wasn't a passion at first, but she became very good at it in the long run. She decided to do something that would fetch her money to cater to her basic needs.
However, juggling academics and business isn't always an easy task for students. They struggle to meet lecturers’ deadlines while attending to their customers. “There are days I have to make deliveries during lecture hours or arrive a little late to class, but I always try to plan my schedule well,” Precious said. She believes everything is about discipline — focusing on the right thing at the right time. “I know when to go to the market and I know my timetable by heart. I also find time to post on my business group on WhatsApp, run WhatsApp ads, and post on TikTok and Snapchat once in a while,” Seun added.
Getting the right sizes of clothes is a major challenge thrift vendors face. “It hurts so much when some people like an outfit but I can't find their size, so I'm working on ways to improve on that,” Precious said, speaking on how she copes with customers with larger sizes. Although most of Seun’s customers wear small sizes, she still faces similar issues. “When I have cases like that, I get the clothes adjusted to their right sizes. You just have to be creative with it,” she said.
Hikmat Shittu, a lover of thrift wear, also shares her perspective on this trendy campus fashion. “Although some people don't like to buy thrift because it has been used already, thrift clothes are not entirely bad. I always get quality clothes from my vendor, and I make sure I maintain them well. Besides, they are quite affordable for me, unlike luxury clothes where you'd have to spend way more than expected.”
Today, quite a number of students are venturing into one or two businesses to survive on campus and ease the burden on their parents or guardians. Both Precious and Seun stated that they have not only become self-reliant through their businesses but have also gained valuable experience in meeting and handling new people in the business world.
Precious, in particular, wishes to continue with the thrift business even after school. “To be a good business owner, you must be visionary. Write down plans for your business and ways you can bring them to reality. In the next few years, I see my business growing bigger and more recognized, not just within my school but beyond,” she said. “I want to have my own thrift brand that people trust for quality and affordable fashion — maybe even a physical store or an online platform.”
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