Buy, sell, trade, consign……This is why you can afford to look fly

Knowing full well that I can’t always buy clothes for $1.00 like my flea market frenzy a few posts back; I decided to splurge just a little. I went to my fave of faves; the local fashion buy, sell and trade store. “What is that?” you may ask? Well my friends….. Remember how I suggested that you clean out your closets? These handy dandy resale stores are NOT consignment stores. Here’s the diff:

-You bring in your gently used items.

-If they accept them then they give you a percentage of what they think the garment is worth in cash.

-OR They give you credit to the store worth double the cash value never to expire.

-OR They hate your stuff and you walk out empty handed. They donate your crap to charity for you free of charge.

-OR They hate your stuff and you take it back home, stare at it or burn it.

Pros of buy, sell, trade:

-It’s easy

-You get to shop while they look through your stuff

-The selection in the store is usually AMAZING (stuff still with tags sometimes)

-You don’t have to schlep it back home if you don’t want to which is nice because they donate it usually to a local Women’s Homeless Shelter

-You’re feeling pretty good if they take some or most of your items

-Instant gratification (you can spend your credit immediately!)

Cons of buy, sell, trade:

-You have to schlep your stuff there

-They are very CHOOSY about what they accept. The buy by the season

-Something you think is great they might not take

-You have no control over what they think the garments are worth. (pricing)

-They are always crowded and there is usually an 1 hour plus wait for them to go through your things.

This is where I shop A LOT. The prices are so reasonable. Never damaged goods. Always current and in season. Here’s what I scored this week: Read ‘em and weep….

1. Studio M Polka Dot LINED Overlay Skirt: $12.95

2. Polyester Vintage Snake Print Dress with Sheer Sleeves: $13.95

3. Free People Cotton Pleated Mesh Lining Skirt with Insane Beading: $14.95

Total: $41.85 =UNBELIEVABLE!

Okay here is my reasoning:

*For polka dot skirt; this isn’t heavy at all therefore can be worn year round. It is lined so this can be worn in the winter. Will NOT show dirt and is the perfect length.

*For Snake Print Dress; this is so easy to keep clean and doesn’t snag or get damaged around the office. Adorable fun colors for print that will go great with brown or burgundy boots for fall and winter.

*For the beaded skirt; I could tell this had never been worn. As I have worked in Production for many fashion labels; I know what this kind of machine beading costs and it’s not cheap. This is cotton with an unfinished edge. However, it has a mesh lining and bow. Adorable details. This is one size too big so I will have to get it altered. $14.95 is an absolute STEAL for a skirt with this kind of detailing. Can be worn spring and summer into super late summer.

It’s never too early to be thinking about the next season. Especially when I am getting such great deals! More on this subject later.

Now, this is second hand however it’s not Salvation Army or Goodwill second hand. These places; both consignment and buy, sell, trade have high standards when buying each season.

Find out about the local buy, sell, trade store in your area and let me know what amazing deals you find. I would love to hear!

I am – The Dress Recycler.