A Guide to Thrift Shopping in Cairo
Ezz Al-Turkey
There has never been a more significant risk associated with fast fashion. Cairo residents have thus been searching for more environmentally friendly substitutes. While some products with ethical sourcing may benefit the environment, they might not be as cost-effective. Here's where saving money comes in. But don't worry if you're not sure where to begin—this guide to thrift shopping in Cairo will help you out.
El Wekala, sometimes called "Wekalet el Balah" (the market of dates), is a significant location in Egyptian fashion history. El Wekala, which is based in Bulaq, has long been a popular choice for reasonably priced apparel.
El Wekala is one of Cairo's oldest continuously operating marketplaces, having been established in 1880. It was founded by 15 merchants from Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon working together. It became the busiest market in Cairo as the number of vendors increased rapidly over time.
Due to an economic crisis in the 1930s, the entrepreneurs had to sell their stores to Egyptian Jews, which turned them into the "El Kanto" secondhand clothes market. They controlled the stores until the 1950s when an Upper Egyptian family bought them, turning El Wekala into the market it is today.
More recently, when thrifting gained popularity, environmentalists began traveling to El Wekala to combat fast fashion, their worst enemy. Any time of day throughout the week, strolling into El Wekala may be very daunting because of the endless aisles of merchandise and numerous vendors strewn across the roadway.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of scouring El Wekala for hours searching for items, thrift shopping has become a huge market online. Several online brands sell second-hand items that are extremely fashionable and of great quality, that deliver right to your doorstep. Here are a few of our favorites:
1: Wekala Online
This one's for you if you're afraid to travel across El Wakala's busy streets. Wekala Online aims to slow down the fast fashion industry by providing a wide range of stylish, hand-selected used clothing products in different sizes and styles. We hope that these goods will have a second opportunity to win over a new customer. Peruse while lounging on your couch.
Thrifter in Pink was established in 2020 and offers delivery services to Alexandria and Cairo. Even though it's just online, this store has made it incredibly simple to thrift from the comfort of your sofa. You may also sell your own clothes on their account, which is filled with adorable, stylish, and reasonably-priced items! You never know what amazing find you may make.
Deliveries to Cairo and Alexandria are free of charge, and this flea market is a great place to get high-quality used items that are beloved by Egyptians! They choose the best unique treasures from thrift stores in the city to offer for sale online to their devoted eco-aware clientele.