Cheap imported clothes at Senen Market

JAKARTA (JP): City life often demands people to appear in trendy clothes with outstanding foreign brand names at the workplace and other locations.

This often becomes a problem for those who cannot afford brand-name clothes, but still want to be clad in better attire.

With even meager budgets, people can actually overcome the problem. There are markets offering garments bearing foreign brand names with far cheaper prices than those sold at modern shopping centers.

One of the alternative places offering trendy fashions at cheap prices can be found at Senen Market in Central Jakarta.

Among thousands of kiosks there, ones selling imported clothes are the most popular among consumers.

Various kinds of clothes, including shirts, pants, long dresses, pajamas and undershirts, are displayed at kiosks at the market next to a Matahari department store.

"Most of the imported clothes are brought here through seaports in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra," said Pontas, a trader selling T-shirts and pants.

Two sets of pants cost only Rp 10,000 (US$4.80) and three undershirts go for Rp 7,500, said the trader who was also offering his own goods to customers.

"Come on, you can't buy these items at such low prices at the store over there," he said, trying to lure his customers.

Aminudin, another trader, said some clothes were rejected export items from local factories here.

"If you want to...you can still find many good-quality shirts," he said.

Customers were being offered coats for only Rp 30,000 each and three neckties for Rp 5,000.

Yanti, a housewife, said she often bought shirts at the market, as the clothes there were far cheaper than those offered at department stores.

"I can buy three pieces of clothing for only Rp 10,000 -- something I can't do at nearby department stores here," she said.

Other customers said they visited the market after they were informed by friends and relatives that there were cheap items there.

Cheap items have managed to draw many customers, even though the kiosks are already surrounded by a number of modern stores.

With their own clientele, some traders have expanded their kiosks outside the market compound.

Several traders have already taken up space around the market's fence because of the increasing demand for cheap clothing.

The kiosks are located at the market, which was built with funds from the presidential office. It was designed to accommodate street traders who cannot afford expensive market rents. (03)