A few weeks ago I headed to Goodwill to donate some clothes that no longer fit my teenage son (who is now taller than me!). Surprisingly, I was turned away because they were at full capacity for accepting any more donations. They said it was the “Marie Kondo” effect. For those of you who haven’t heard of Marie Kondo, she is an organizer who recommends that the items we purchase and choose to keep in our closets and house “spark joy” in our lives. I started to think, with millions of Americans overwhelming Goodwill and other thrift stores around the country, now would be a perfect time to go searching for that diamond in the rough at your local consignment store. Below are my top 3 tips when shopping consignment and the best places to go around town.
If you are looking to make some space in your closets or home, and need help deciding what should stay and what should go, please call GTD Image Consulting to streamline this task. We specialize in getting the best consignment prices online and in-stores for our clients, and if you want to see what GTD has for sale, use this
link to shop my closet…you might just find a deal!
1. Take Your Time
Shopping at a consignment store shouldn’t be done in a rush. This won’t be your typical trip to the mall where you can find all types of clothing, shoes or accessories in your style and size. Although the best stores will be organized, it will still take a fair amount of searching and combing through the racks to find that unique, “something” you may like to purchase. Also, think outside of your normal size range because sizing has changed, especially in women’s clothing, throughout the years. If you love it, you can always have it altered, because you just may find that one of a kind piece, you didn’t know you were looking for!
2. Take Note
It may be tempting to pick up that sequin top or high heels, but make sure to go through your closet first and think about what colors or pieces would complement your existing collection. Most shops have their clothes color-coordinated and separated by style. If you usually wear muted colors or gravitate towards solid colors, why not go for something different, like a splashy floral dress, it may be a great find for you! It’s best to head out with a mental note of pieces you want to add to your wardrobe. For me, I currently have my eyes on anything with a python-print and tops which can transition me from winter weather to spring.
3. Check, Check and Re-Check
A lot of consignment stores have strict return policies so it is very important to check your intended purchases for any abnormal wear and tear such as stains, rips, missing buttons, broken zippers etc. **These stores below all have an incredible team checking everything before it is available online or on the sales floor, but it’s always best to do a quick review as well.
Ready to shop? Below are my favorite stores:
My best for your shopping success,
