8 Tips for Shopping for Consignment Clothes
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In recent years, I have increasingly turned to consignment stores and sales for my clothing, gaining access to brands that would otherwise be out of reach. Some brands I’ve purchased in the last year include Anthropologie, Madewell, Altar’d State, Lily Pulitzer, J. Crew, and Vineyard Vines. While I still shop for some clothes at Target and on Amazon, I like to mix in nicer brands.
What is a consignment store? Consignment stores typically accept gently used clothing from individuals, either offering a cash or store credit payment upfront or paying the seller a percentage once the item sells.
The nice thing about shopping for consignment vs. thrifting is items are already filtered by style and condition. While I may pay $5 for a dress at Goodwill, I will pay $10-15 for a dress at a consignment store. And if the dress is a high-end brand, it may even be over $20. Consignment prices are higher than thrift stores, but they reflect the curated selection and brand value.
8 Tips for Shopping for Consignment Clothes
In no particular order, here are my tips for shopping for consignment clothes!
- Be open-minded about styles. Shopping consignment is a great way to experiment with fashion since prices are lower than at the mall. Don’t worry too much if a style is dated. Consignment stores do some filtering on that. Plus, embracing unique styles makes fashion more fun!
- Expect to pay more for high-end brands. Consignment stores price items based on brand value, so labels like Anthropologie, Lilly Pulitzer, and Lululemon will cost more than brands like Loft, Nike, or Aerie. While you’re still getting a deal, be mindful that premium brands come with a higher resale price.
3. Stay flexible with sizing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with a brand. Sizes can vary, so check one size up and one size down from your usual fit. Most consignment stores offer dressing rooms, but return policies differ by store, so it is always good to check before buying.
4. Set aside plenty of time to shop! Consignment stores often have a larger variety of styles and options than a typical boutique or big-box store like Target. Most are organized by size and category—such as long dresses, short dresses, jeans, pants, skirts, and jackets—which makes browsing easier but overall it is still time-consuming.
5. Don’t skip the teen-oriented stores like Plato’s Closet. Even if you are older (like me!). I still find workout clothes, shoes, jackets, sweaters, and jewelry at “younger” stores. You never know what gems you might come across!
6. Look for brand-new items with tags. While consignment stores specialize in gently used clothing, many also carry new items with original tags still attached. These could be overstock from boutiques or items that were never worn. This is a great way to score brand-new clothing at a fraction of retail prices!
7. Look over the condition of your items before purchasing. Consignment stores do a decent job of filtering out items with holes. But I do sometimes come across shirts and dresses that look faded.
8. Don’t expect to score a huge haul every time. Since consignment inventory changes constantly, some visits might only yield one great find—but that’s part of the fun!
