How Consignment Shopping Changed My Life
Tina, here.
I can shop anywhere. ANYwhere. I love Dollar General as much as I love the Chanel store in Paris. I can shop the racks at TJ Maxx just by looking at the top of the hangers. Yes, I'm that good. I don't miss the good stuff. Unless I'm out of the country when something might sneak its way past me. And the shopping gods still find a way to bring it back to me. They favor our clients as well, as kind of a blessing by association.
I want to teach you how to shop consignment and vintage. What to look for, what to expect to pay, and other fun tips. The July Style Vault's Style Secret is dedicated to lessons in shopping the second-hand market. I take you on a tour of Nashville consignment stores and vintage shops, and show you my strategy. It's full of great info, especially for those more timid when it comes to second-hand shopping. Some of my favorite stops in Nashville are Designer Renaissance (I've been shopping and consigning there with Jodi since I was in high school), Private Label and Flip. Here are some of my fave finds.
Paris has some of my most favorite resale shops. It's a whole 'nother game over there. The selection is pretty unbelievable, and you can get decent deals. I take a group of women to Paris most January's to shop the huge sales, and one year, one of my clients bought a pre-owned Hermes Birkin that is sooo gorgeous. But we shop the whole gamut, from fancy boutiques to mid-price range stores to resale. Very high-low, you know. Here's my favorite purchase from a Paris flea market (and you'll see even more of my great finds in the August Style Vault - I'm taking you inside my closet and revealing my Closet Confessions).
One of the keys to remember is never buy something at a consignment store you wouldn’t have wanted at the retail store.
So what items make sense to buy on the secondary market, at a consignment store?
1. Designer brands.
Most of my designer clothes I purchased pre-owned. It's like cars. I don't buy new. I let someone else take the initial hit. Look at this Chanel blouse I recently saw at Private Label in Nashville.
True story. I ran into a friend of mine the other day and she said, I like your blouse. Then she kinda looked at me with a smile and asked, Is it Helmut Lang? Yep. And she started to say, did you...and I finished, ...buy it at Private Label? YES! And I bought her blouse.
2. Designer handbags.
If you are buying the type of handbag (or article of clothing) that sells with authentication certificates and serial numbers, you definitely want to ask for them. Be careful on eBay. I've heard of sellers faking authentication cards and receipts. Better to make these kinds of investment purchases from a shop owner you know. One of the big misconceptions out there is that all resellers sell fakes. Some may, and it'll catch up with them. But for the most part, these people are in the business to stay in business and won't take the risk of selling fakes. It's illegal to do so, and in France they jail offenders. So when you ask if it's real and how do they know it's real, don't be surprised if you are met with a sideways, offended look. Part of the price you are paying factors in their skill and detective work. Most shop owners have very high standards and filter out anything that smells of a fake.
3. Designer shoes.
Don't sneer. If they are in near never-used condition and look and smell clean, what's the big deal?
4. Anything you would pay full-price for but happen to find at a consignment shop.
I don't discriminate. But I do only buy what I reeeally want. Don't make the mistake of buying something at a consignment store you never would have wanted somewhere else full-price. Don't let anything into your life or closet that you don't love, no matter how inexpensive it is.
What about vintage shopping?
Vintage is great for classic pieces that never go out of style. And for Hallowe'en costumes. Over the years, I've bought old Woolrich jackets, blanket coats, Levi's jeans and 1960's cashmere cardigans with pearl embellishments.
Things not to buy at a consignment store?
Anything dirty, smelly, poorly made, damaged, fake or otherwise not taking your breath away. But if what you find passes this test, go for it!
Thanks for reading, dolls. Come see our Nashville Wardrobe Consultants and we'll show you where Nashville style can be seen and had in all kinds of places. If you'd like to access our behind-the-scenes, members-only content, join the Style Vault and shop our favorite finds. All-new August issue drops in one week!
For our month-to-month membership option, click here.
All the best,
Tina