Nestled between two of Istiklal’s more upscale establishments, Terkos Passage is one of Taksim’s finest bargain pazars. It is a place where flawed or otherwise unwanted clothing goes to die, and the hardcore thrift shoppers can scour through large piles of clothes, jewelry, and accessories until their arms fall off.
Bargain basement prices don’t come without a catch, though. You can’t try on any of the clothing before you buy it. This is where having a discerning eye can be your biggest asset. Let’s just say, some of the clothes are there for a good reason. After snagging a bunch of neat off-brand or lesser known labels, your eye catches a beautiful white tank from Zara. You greedily snatch it away from the droves of hands around you, not realizing that you’ve caught the stink eye from a seasoned Turkish teyze (auntie). It’s piled dangerously high and looks as if removing one piece of clothing would bring everything down on your head. You decide to brave it and delve in to discover the cutest Nordica stretch workout tank. With a tag marked small, you mull it over for a while and come to the conclusion that since it’s stretchy, it will fit you. No problem, you say to yourself, and again pay the booth’s owner.
You arrive home exhausted from what seems like hours of shopping, and immediately plop your little black bags onto the floor. Jubilant at the prospect of trying on and washing your newfound pirate’s booty, you grab the best finds first. Much to your horror, you discover a huge hole in your beautiful Zara tank. It’s so hideous and so obvious you beat yourself up for not spotting it before you paid for the white tank. You’ve learned your lesson though, and vow to never make such an amateur mistake again. Moving on to the Nordica tank with a glimmer of hope left, you find that it won’t go past your bust and no manner of shimmying and shaking will make it fit.
Downtrodden and filled with regret, you think about the lessons you’ve learned about shopping at this wondrous passage. Firstly, make sure you’ve checked each item thoroughly for holes, stains, spelling mistakes, and funny seams (especially at the shoulders). Secondly, make sure you hold the clothes up to yourself, and make all necessary measurements BEFORE you buy. Following these two simple rules will ensure that every purchase at this bargain pazar is sweeter than the last.
Terkos Passage
Terkos Çıkmazı, Beyoğlu
The entrance to Terkos Passage on Istiklal Caddesi is in between Paşabahçe Mağazaları and Sneakers & More
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One of my favorite places for bargain shopping! But yes, you must check for holes and discoloring too. So sad after going home. I prefer the inside little shops, especially the ones in the basement, they often have curtains for trying on- though they’re usually packed.