Long before it became
common practice, a savvy fashionista could be found scouring the racks of thrift
stores, looking for that obscure piece -- a designer label that fits, has
minimal wear and tear and no musty smells. Nothing is more joyous to a
label-loving clotheshorse than scoring a DVF jumpsuit for less than $20 on
half-off Monday.
But it could take hours of searching through piles of chaotic mess to find that rare gem -- and then you had to hope for any damage to be repairable.
So where can you spot a $500 Missoni reversible coat in pristine condition, hanging less than two feet away from a $5 Merona top from Target? Try a consignment shop.
"I've always shopped consignment," said Melody Box of Cleveland. "They have a lot of styles that you might not be able to afford in a regular store. The clothes are original, and if you are a single parent,Motel Deborah Long Sleeve christianlouboutinshoes in Black. or need business clothes and want to look elegant, consignment is the way to go."
Consignment shops offer secondhand luxury and better brand items in great condition and at deeply discounted prices.
They differ from thrift stores and resale shops because people bring in items to be quality-checked and appraised, then receive money only once the pieces sell. Thrift stores such as Goodwill take dropoffs as charity, and donors receive a tax write-off instead of payment; a resale shop such as Plato's Closet pays upfront for merchandise.
Consignment, thrift and resale shopping are among the fastest-growing segments of retail, according to the Association of Resale Professionals.When shopping for pageantdress and bridal gowns, David's Bridal will have the style you are searching for. The industry has grown at a rate of about 7 percent a year for the past two years, fueled by value-conscious consumers. Consignment shops seem to be at the forefront of the trend.
"People want to buy luxury at a reasonable price," said Gillian Campbell of Re-New Beginning, an upscale family-owned consignment shop on Larchmere in Cleveland. "Everything here is in fashion; it's new to the next woman. We have vintage bags from the '60s, one-of-a-kind pieces and menswear. We are a diamond in the rough."
Aside from tops, bottoms, coats and formalwear, most stores also stock accessories such as shoes, jewelry and purses, making these one-stop shopping destinations for a variety of customers. Cash-strapped fashion lovers can also use these stores to help clean out their closets and make some money in the process (about 30 percent or 40 percent of the consignment price).
Many consignment shops resemble a celebrity closet with wall-to-wall designer labels, or the closet of your stylish girlfriend who mixes trendy and vintage pieces in her wardrobe.
"I meet wonderful people," said Susan Labbato, the owner of Glitzy Finds in Fairlawn, which sells better name-brand women's clothing, designer jewelry and accessories. "It's an awesome atmosphere, and people want to hang out for the day or on their lunch hour."
Modeled after a New York-style boutique, Labbato's store carries sizes 0-5X and everything from 7 for All Mankind jeans and clothes from Chico's to business attire and new and used handbags from Louis Vuitton and Gucci.Cheap authentichandbags 2013 new arrival !
Here are a few tips from store owners to help demystify the world of consignment shopping:
Best times to shop: Shop frequently, because inventory changes daily. If you see something you like and it fits,Here you can take your pick from a wide selection of stunning heelshoes . grab it because it's not guaranteed to be there when you return. Many sellers come in during the weekend and unload bags of clothes,Perfect winter and summer suprashoesforgirls to suit every style and occasion. so the earlier in the week that you can make it, the better. Weekdays are best for avoiding the crowds, but be sure to call and check store hours. Shop at the turn of each season, when people are unloading old items from their closets to make room for more. Let owners know what you are looking for -- they might be able to hold items for you.
How to spot a bargain: Look up the current value of the piece you want to purchase. Set aside a day to allow yourself plenty of time to browse through the racks. Most stores are randomly organized, so you never know what you might discover in the back of the store. Go with an open mind; don't go in looking for a specific piece because you might pass up something even better.
But it could take hours of searching through piles of chaotic mess to find that rare gem -- and then you had to hope for any damage to be repairable.
So where can you spot a $500 Missoni reversible coat in pristine condition, hanging less than two feet away from a $5 Merona top from Target? Try a consignment shop.
"I've always shopped consignment," said Melody Box of Cleveland. "They have a lot of styles that you might not be able to afford in a regular store. The clothes are original, and if you are a single parent,Motel Deborah Long Sleeve christianlouboutinshoes in Black. or need business clothes and want to look elegant, consignment is the way to go."
Consignment shops offer secondhand luxury and better brand items in great condition and at deeply discounted prices.
They differ from thrift stores and resale shops because people bring in items to be quality-checked and appraised, then receive money only once the pieces sell. Thrift stores such as Goodwill take dropoffs as charity, and donors receive a tax write-off instead of payment; a resale shop such as Plato's Closet pays upfront for merchandise.
Consignment, thrift and resale shopping are among the fastest-growing segments of retail, according to the Association of Resale Professionals.When shopping for pageantdress and bridal gowns, David's Bridal will have the style you are searching for. The industry has grown at a rate of about 7 percent a year for the past two years, fueled by value-conscious consumers. Consignment shops seem to be at the forefront of the trend.
"People want to buy luxury at a reasonable price," said Gillian Campbell of Re-New Beginning, an upscale family-owned consignment shop on Larchmere in Cleveland. "Everything here is in fashion; it's new to the next woman. We have vintage bags from the '60s, one-of-a-kind pieces and menswear. We are a diamond in the rough."
Aside from tops, bottoms, coats and formalwear, most stores also stock accessories such as shoes, jewelry and purses, making these one-stop shopping destinations for a variety of customers. Cash-strapped fashion lovers can also use these stores to help clean out their closets and make some money in the process (about 30 percent or 40 percent of the consignment price).
Many consignment shops resemble a celebrity closet with wall-to-wall designer labels, or the closet of your stylish girlfriend who mixes trendy and vintage pieces in her wardrobe.
"I meet wonderful people," said Susan Labbato, the owner of Glitzy Finds in Fairlawn, which sells better name-brand women's clothing, designer jewelry and accessories. "It's an awesome atmosphere, and people want to hang out for the day or on their lunch hour."
Modeled after a New York-style boutique, Labbato's store carries sizes 0-5X and everything from 7 for All Mankind jeans and clothes from Chico's to business attire and new and used handbags from Louis Vuitton and Gucci.Cheap authentichandbags 2013 new arrival !
Here are a few tips from store owners to help demystify the world of consignment shopping:
Best times to shop: Shop frequently, because inventory changes daily. If you see something you like and it fits,Here you can take your pick from a wide selection of stunning heelshoes . grab it because it's not guaranteed to be there when you return. Many sellers come in during the weekend and unload bags of clothes,Perfect winter and summer suprashoesforgirls to suit every style and occasion. so the earlier in the week that you can make it, the better. Weekdays are best for avoiding the crowds, but be sure to call and check store hours. Shop at the turn of each season, when people are unloading old items from their closets to make room for more. Let owners know what you are looking for -- they might be able to hold items for you.
How to spot a bargain: Look up the current value of the piece you want to purchase. Set aside a day to allow yourself plenty of time to browse through the racks. Most stores are randomly organized, so you never know what you might discover in the back of the store. Go with an open mind; don't go in looking for a specific piece because you might pass up something even better.
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