A Cuban woman and her friends joined one of the most popular trends on the island by opening a sealed pack of clothes in front of the camera, in a video that captures the excitement of pulling out one item at a time without knowing what’s inside.
The bales —bundles of second-hand clothing imported mainly from the United States, Europe, and Mexico— have become one of the most accessible ways to dress in Cuba amid the economic crisis.
Its opening has become a ritual of complete surprise: jeans, t-shirts, coats, and accessories mingled together unclassified, all waiting to be discovered.
The phrase that titles the video summarizes it well: "life is sad with the sealed pack." In just a few words, the author captures the addictive and playful nature of a practice that combines real necessity with pure entertainment.
"Opening packages creates addiction. If you don't believe me, ask all my colleagues," wrote the creator of the video, who is also involved in the second-hand clothing business in Cuba.
The response from those who watched the video was immediate. "It's pure adrenaline," wrote a follower.
Others directly requested to join the group: "Hey, yes! Add me to that group of the crazy ones with the bales." There was someone who confessed without hesitation: "Yes, I’m addicted to opening clothing bales."
The unboxing format —opening and discovering on camera— has found the perfect content in bales for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Tags such as #ClothingBales, #ItalianBales, and #secondhandclothes gather millions of interactions and connect Cubans both inside and outside the island.
The rise is not coincidental. The average state salary is equivalent to only 10-15 dollars a month, making new clothing practically unattainable for most Cubans.
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