Some want to reduce their expenses, while others think about protecting the environment by reducing textile waste.

One thing is certain: the demand for quality products at affordable prices has increased in recent years, and specialized fairs are gaining more and more momentum.

Dozens of vintage or second-hand clothing enthusiasts gathered in Cluj-Napoca on January 28 at such a fair.

Mălina is a budding fashion designer who recently returned from London. She says the secret to the longevity of a garment lies primarily in the materials it's made of. And Romanians are not very attentive when it comes to reading labels.

Mălina Alina, fashion designer: "Such a garment, regardless of its design, if it's of quality, will last over time and can be resold. Most mass-market products are made of synthetic materials. Anything containing acrylic and polyester will pill and lose its shape after the first wash".

At a second-hand fair in Cluj-Napoca, some stands were nearly sold out long before closing. This is also due to the affordable prices - very few items cost more than 100 lei. There were also merchants who had a hard time parting with their clothes.

Ancuța Daniela Bârna, organizer: "I've seen a lot of that very excessive shopping going on and I thought that after the winter holidays, someone would want to get rid of certain things".

However, many customers admit that second-hand shopping sessions come with challenges.

On the other hand, bargain hunters rely more on vintage stores. There are higher chances of finding a "fashion treasure" there.

Alex is a second-year student and says he saves money through vintage clothing shopping. With a bit of luck, in this hunt, he sometimes manages to find branded items at prices that are hard to imagine in the market: "I know I found something expensive and got a huge discount, but usually I buy mainly pants or jackets. I like that they're cheaper".

In 2022, over 55% of Romanians bought clothes from second-hand stores in the country at least once. And the market is growing, a sign that even more challenging economic conditions encourage people to choose less expensive clothing.