Uncovering Hidden Gems: My Thrifting Adventure at El Wekala

By Lama Abdelgelil

As any seasoned thrifter knows, the thrill of the hunt is half the fun. Throughout the past week, I came across so many unique pieces that ended in one of my best thrifting hauls ever.

It all started at a Roxy store that's tucked away in a corner. It was a Tuesday evening, and as I made my way through the tightly packed racks, a vibrant splash of green caught my eye. Bingo! A fitted sheer shirt in shades of green and yellow. I inspected it closely, checking for any snags, stains or other imperfections that would be a deal-breaker. But it passed with flying colors - not a single flaw to be found on the gorgeous semi-sheer fabric. No stains or damage, and just 30 EGP. An absolute steal for such a trendy and vibrant piece.

Energized by my early success, I moved my thrifting game online next. I've started following Instagram thrifting accounts and the algorithm was recommending me even more. That's where I landed my second major score of the week: a sling black Diesel bag. The brand alone had me eager to see it in person. This had to be at least 20 years old, but it was in almost pristine condition when it arrived a few days later. The thick, luscious leather had a beautiful patina and the hardware gleamed like new. 700 EGP was a hefty price to pay for a secondhand bag, but the quality and brand cachet made it worth every pound in my eyes.

But I had saved the best for last - a trip to the iconic Souq Diana in the heart of downtown Cairo. Amidst the winding alleys and chattering vendors, I stumbled upon a small stall selling a jumbled assortment of watches and jewelry. That's where my thrifting senses went into overdrive, scanning each piece carefully for potential gems. And there among the rusty, scratched and dented piles, stood out one that looked very new and pristine. It was a stunning Gucci watch. My heart started racing as I pulled it from the pile to examine it more closely. Genuine stainless steel, that unmistakable embossed logo, and a price tag of just 300 EGP? The vendor insisted it was authentic, though I would still get it verified later. But at that price, I simply couldn't resist. I literally snapped that up right away and felt like the biggest winner on earth.

During the weekend, looking back at all my catches, my face was flushed with the vigorous thrifting workout and sheer delight of my phenomenal finds. A stunning sheer shirt, vintage Diesel bag, and luxury watch - a triple score that exemplifies why thrifting is so wildly addictive. The excitement of finding such special pieces for a fraction of their retail price is an incomparable thrill. You truly never know what treasures await amidst the racks and stalls. But one thing's for sure, I'll be back hitting those thrift stores hard again next week!

Do you also want to start finding great, cheap catches? Follow Upstyled on Instagram for help and hidden gems!