Hongkonger Dianne Gupta has a laser-sharp sixth sense as she wanders around Mee & Gee, one of her favourite second-hand clothes shops, in Kowloonโs Mong Kok district.
Dressed in one of her favourite preloved outfits, the 28-year-old scans the racks with lightning speed.
โSome people ๏ปฟwalk into second-hand shops and feel overwhelmed, but for me it is like a treasure hunt,โ she says.
It does not take long before something catches her eye: a retro-style dress covered in bright yellow stars.
She gives the fabric a feel to test its quality โ something she does with every potential purchase โ and checks the seams to make sure there is room to move.
โItโs also a good idea to check the zips and buttons.โ
The dress passes the test, and at HK$40 (US$5.10), it is a bargain.