The tales about all the fashionable items purchased at Sarojini Nagar aren’t just urban legends, all you have to do is know where to look, and you’ll return home with bags full of riches. You’ll be able to find some lovely, branded dresses that are both fashionable and affordable. Even if you’re a jewellery hoarder, you’ll be taken care of as well. This blog consumes anything and everything you need to be informed about the famous sites in the market.
The Gallis Export
The two long lanes that basically contain every runway and high-street trend, copied, exported, and hanging there in all their rejected glory in the hopes of being pounced upon by some such chic-seeker.
Tip: Garment sizing is rarely precise, so the only method to determine size is to hold two items against each other and then against yourself. If you still can’t find it, a quick fix at the darzi is always an option.
Shops that export leather
Bag stalls and shoe shops should be avoided because the patterns are unappealing and the quality is poor. Instead, go to one of the three leather shops, which stock ASOS, Zara, Bershka, Topshop, and every other premium high-street shoe label’s export surplus. The designs are incredibly trendy, and the quality is as immaculate as the retail stock, with ballets, tasselled loafers, booties, riding boots, and skyscraper wedges among them.
Tip: Keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear on whatever you’re about to buy. Always point out the flaw (no matter how minor or evident) to the shopkeeper and exploit it to get a better deal.
The Archway With The Graffiti
For the best selection of dress tops and blouses, go to the Archway With Graffiti. The vendors here are as up-to-date on the latest trends as any hipster blogger worth their Lomo camera, and they know their peplum from their palazzos.
Tip: The flimsy polythene bags in which retailers wrap the clothes become quite unpleasant to manage if you make multiple purchases, and they also split apart quickly, so we recommend carrying a large jhola.
The Vintage Section
It’s full of delightful odds and ends, bags, boxes, metal lamps, Accessorize clutches, and impeccable leather bags that somehow didn’t make it into the retail showroom. It’s located at the very end of the second export Galli (right next to the store that sells punk T-shirts and Homer Simpson boxers), and it’s full of delightful odds and ends, bags, boxes, metal lamps, Accessorize clutches, and impeccable leather bags that somehow didn’t make it into the Our favourite purchase: an AllSaints Suede hobo at INR 1,500.
Tip: Keep the following in mind when purchasing at Sarojini: Never pay more than INR 250 for basic clothing; shirts should be priced between INR 100 and 150.
The Fifty Rupee Piles are a collection of fifty rupees
Scrounge through the fifty-rupee heaps for basics like striped T-shirts, polo necks, and camisoles with a lot of effort.
Tip: On weekdays, between 12 pm and 4 pm, is the best time to visit Sarojini Nagar. It is, however, closed on Monday.
The Caverns are a series of caves in the ground
The first of the caverns is located in the heart of the other lane, near the peepul tree (a prominent landmark known as the KWIC Bite alley) and two additional caves (next to Soft & Sleek, the shoe shop).
Tip: Keep an eye out for any landmarks (whether it’s the hoardings or the fruit-juicewalla—make a mental note!) so you can return.
Some Quick Tips
- Don’t be afraid to haggle. It is, without a doubt, a must! There are many things that are priced three times their original price, which is where the concept of smart purchasing comes into play.
- Always double-check your clothing (size, holes, cuts).
- There aren’t many ATMs in the area, so bring plenty of cash.
- On Mondays, the market is closed, and on weekends, it is extremely packed. So, if you want to see the best stuff, go between Tuesday and Friday.
- Sarojini Nagar station, on the pink line, is the closest metro station.
