Stylishly Smart

Shopping in a consignment boutique (“high-end” thrift store) is like finding a $20 bill in your pocket: either the stars align and you find one and everything that day is better because you are magically, mysteriously $20 richer, or you don’t find anything and the world keeps going around exactly the same as it was before, no harm no foul. With consignment shopping, finding the perfect items that are exactly what you were hoping to find at exactly the right price is basically the same as finding that $20 bill: it either happens or it doesn’t.

All items available in a consignment store are usually one of a kind to the store. If you think finding something you love in a small is also going to be available in an extra large, you better get out before you get in too deep. Consignment shopping requires a plan of attack: you have to be willing to dig through the racks, grab and lug any and all items you might want to try on, and be prepared that everything has already been gently washed and worn. The clothes are going to be less-expensive than when they were orginally, but will still dig into your wallet a bit. The higher quality the item, the pricier it will be. If you are looking to buy ten cashmere sweaters for five dollars, you are much better off going to either a sample sale, a blowout sale, or the Salvation Army, where the reused clothing isn’t typically screened for holes, stains, and rips as intensely as it would have been if you found it at a consignment hotspot.

Home on spring break this week, I couldn’t wait to go shopping at my favorite consignment store. Three hours and over $100 later, I left the store feeling so accomplished, and couldn’t wait to compile my recent adventure into five forget-me-not tips everyone should have in their thrift store shopping arsenal.

1. Look for items that have some quality or some extra pizazz to them. Consignment shopping is not the place to get basic tank tops and t-shirts.  Discount general stores like Target and Walmart are much smarter place to do that kind of shopping.
2. Try on everything!!! Try on everything!!! Try on everything!!! Did I mention you should try on everything? As obvious as it sounds, because things are not in perfect condition, the chances that they have retained their precisely tailored shape over the years are slim to none.
3. Before you make your way to the register, make sure you double check the clothing for any rips, tears, small holes, stains, and other imperfections. If it’s not something you think you can easily fix, don’t spend the money on it.
4. Check the store’s return policy. Clothing always looks different in your own home than it does in the store’s dressing room. If the clothing can’t be returned, and you aren’t 100% sure about it, it may not be worth buying it.
5. It’s great to incorporate vintage items into your wardrobe. Pieces with visual interest – whether it be a scarf, blazer, purse, or jewelry – will always give you a more put together appearance. But make sure you stay smart about your selections. A patterned shell to wear under a solid color blazer is a smart purchase. A red blazer with shoulder pads and large gold buttons is not.

Here are some photos of my favorite purchases from the day. I have a small addiction to jewelry and couldn’t resist spending the money these wanted, albeit somewhat unnecessary finds.

Entire jewelry purchase. Photograph: Samantha Sherer, 2011

Metal and stone textured pendant with leather chain. Photograph: Samantha Sherer, 2011

Turquoise and sterling silver ring, vintage ivory bangles. Photograph: Samantha Sherer, 2011

Hand-beaded pearl and crystal necklace with Chinese Zodiac stone pendant. Photograph: Samantha Sherer, 2011

Tagged: bangles, consignment, fashion photography, jewelry, necklace, ring, Saving, thrift