Beth Litwak

We’ve all been fiscally strapped at one time or another.  This economy, especially, has many of us pinching pennies just to keep the electric on or put food on the table.  I’m currently feeding my coffee addiction at Bad Ass Coffee, sipping $2.07 worth of iced java so that I can use the Internet.  What can I say: we do what we must.

In The Great Recession of 2007-2009, a few businesses showed that even in the worst of financial times, their bottom lines don’t drag.  Tatoos, cosmetics and contraceptives are a few of the products and services we are willing to spend money on no matter what.  Department store clothing sales, however, dropped dramatically.  So, where have shoppers been spending their hard-earned cash to stay clothed?

10.4 TW

Shop consignment at Seven Wonders Vintage in Brooklyn

Consignment stores, or up-scale seconds boutiques, are on the rise in most communities, and here’s why: in this economy, middle-class consumers are generally more green-minded, in the business of downsizing, and looking for opportunities to be savvy spenders.  Here are a few tips if you too, want to find out how to dress well on a budget.

1)  Hunt for a cute consignment store whose vision and mission you can get behind.

Most consignment stores carry high-end, gently-worn clothing for a fraction of the retail price.  My consignment store of choice here in Virginia Beach is Double Take Consignment on Laskin Road (they also have a location on 21st Street in Ghent).  One of the things that I love about Double Take is any items that fail to sell are donated to charities in support of women.  Double Take also allows you to donate your profits to a local charity by consigning in their name, which is a great way to give back, even when you have little to give.

2)  De-clutter your closet and reap the rewards.

Consignment stores are profit-share businesses, meaning that they split their profits with the consigners.  That’s you!  Then you can generally choose to receive a check for your portion or, for a slightly higher cut, spend your profit in the store.  At Double Take you can choose to receive 40% of the profit in cash, or 50% if you spend it as in-store credit.

Most consignment stores accept clothing on specific days, like Saturdays, so be sure to check their website before making the trip.  Also, they accept or reject clothing based on label or design, condition, age, season, and demand.  Don’t be discouraged if not all of your items are accepted, I generally take in about 10 garments at a time, of which they usually accept 5 or 6.  Don’t fear though, that’s still a pretty big paycheck.

3) Up-cycle and help someone in need.

I’ll never forget what a friend of mine said as we rid out her closet before a big move: 'If I’m not using it, I’m keeping someone else from enjoying it.'  I try to remember this every time I’m digging through my closet for a consignment trip, and, in return, I’m thankful for the women from whose consigned clothing I have benefited. 

So take the plunge and dress well on a budget through consignment!  It’s simpler to get started than you think.

 

Comments (0)

There are no comments posted here yet

Leave your comments

Posting comment as a guest. Sign up or login to your account.
Attachments (0 / 3)
Share Your Location