Time to Make a Donation

If your closet is overflowing with clothes from the past decade, it is time for action. Making more room in your closet will give you the chance to update your wardrobe. You can also help make someone else’s day by donating your unused clothes. Instead of throwing out your old clothes, you can donate them to thrift stores. Donations are tax-deductible and they are also a great way of giving back to the community.

Start by sorting through your fashions. Some things will probably be too worn out to donate. Some things may even be too out of style and laughable! Find the clothes that are in the best condition to donate. Wash all of the clothes before boxing them up for donations. For some of your more expensive items, you might want to consider taking them to a consignment shop. Consignment shops are different from thrift shops because they work for a profit. If your item sells, you and the shop will split the profit. Keep in mind that consignment shops are for items that are in pristine condition, practically new.

When you donate to thrift stores, you are helping those that are less fortunate. Times are tough and thrift stores are a great way for people to save money on clothes. Be sure and donate items that are in good shape and can be used. Do not use thrift stores as a way of getting rid of your garbage items. Take the time to sort everything out and you will be welcomed back to the thrift store every time.

Once you have your closet cleaned out then you can start shopping for yourself. You may even find some things you want from the thrift store or consignment shop. There is no shame in buying used clothing. You can find great deals on name-brand clothes by shopping thrift stores and consignment shops.

The Benefits of Consignment Shops

Buying used clothing is becoming a popular choice with millions of people. The struggling economy has left many people unable to afford brand new clothes. These people are turning to thrift stores and consignment shops for their clothing needs. While thrift stores are a great resource for used clothing, the clothes may be quite worn in appearance. If you do not mind used clothing but prefer the clothing to look almost new, consignment shops are the best choice.

A consignment shop is a store that specializes in quality used items. Unlike thrift stores, which take donations from people, consignment shops partner with people. They display items for sale and when an item is sold, the money is split between the shop and the seller. Consignment shops have high standards on the items they will accept. You can expect to find name brand clothing that is in pristine condition. Generic labels normally do not find their way into consignment shops because there will not be enough profit to make it worth the shop’s time.

By shopping for your clothes at consignment shops, you will be able to find brand name items at great prices. Some shops even sell designer clothes. Since the shops are so stringent on their requirements, you can rest assured that the clothes you buy will be in great shape. You can also find great deals on specialty items, like wedding dresses and tuxedos. If you are planning a wedding on a tight budget, a consignment shop is a good option for finding the attire you need at a reduced price.

If you have doubts about shopping consignment shops, keep in mind that they have more standards in place than regular thrift stores. Since they operate for a profit, the items they sell must be in ideal condition. You can easily furnish your wardrobe with used clothing that looks just like new.

New Year-How to make your wardrobe work

It is a new year, and with that comes resolutions and change. However, with economic times being able to throw out a whole wardrobe and by new is not a practical decision. Do an inventory of what you do have, how those items can work multiple ways, and the items that haven’t seen the light of day in at least a year, it may be time to say goodbye to it. Who knows you can possible make some extra cash if you take them to a consignment shop.

The new season has become a little more sleek and traditional. The focus has been to rid our closets of oversized shirts, frayed jeans; because those are the ones that are currently on their way out of the fashion trend door. However, don’t despair on the skinny jeans. Keep those because the amazing variety of boots to pair with them this season is amazing!

Some of the other trends that are making an appearance again that are a reminder of the 80’s parachute pants are the harem pants, culottes, and even jumpsuits. The peasant ruffles are also on their way back into our closets. Whatever you don’t find in your closets, if you are a pack rat, can be found at your local thrift store or consignment shop.

Finding new designers in 2011 can also be a goal. There are so many up and coming designers that are at the cutting edge of fashion. One of those happens to be Niki Livas. Her brand is notably “Niki”.  Her style focuses on sexy and flirty, and her trademark term “niki-licious”.

If the high end is beyond your dollar end, take the opportunity to look into your local shops. There are always good deals out there, but sometimes it takes a little digging to find the treasures. If you are looking for those good deals, don’t give up hope!

Consignment Clothing–Best for Your Budget

When you are on the hunt for beautiful designer clothing at an affordable price, make sure you check consignment shops. Consignment shops are usually very meticulous about the clothes they offer on their racks. They take in pieces that are still in great shape and resell them to discerning clients. You can get terrific deals on top designers, but there are some tricks you need to know.
Introduce Yourself
Stop in the consignment shop and look around. If you like the styles they are bringing in, find something to purchase and then start up a conversation with the cashier.
-Find out what day the new items are put on the floor.
-Ask if the store has an email list that you can join.
-Find out if the shop takes requests. If so, fill out the request form with your name, number, email addy and list of designers that you are looking for. The store will call you when the items come in.
-If you have items you could sell, inquire about the store’s sales policy. Store’s often give you 30-40% of the sales price when you request cash, but some stores will offer a higher percentage if you take your earnings as an in-store credit. This is a great way to obtain expensive clothes even when you’re living on a budget.
Beyond clothing, most consignment shops sell shoes, jewelry and other accessories as well. You can re-create your entire wardrobe for a tenth of what the items would cost you new. Some things to remember when looking at clothes from consignment shops:
-Don’t rely on the clothing tag for sizing, check for alterations and try the item on if possible.
-Check the seams to be sure they are still intact.
-Try all zippers, snaps and buttons to make sure nothing is loose, sticking or otherwise damaged.
-Ask for a copy of the store’ return policy before you buy!

Fashion Deals for a Tight Budget

As if shopping for clothing isn’t hard enough”dressing room mirrors, anyone?”but scoring cute finds at reasonable prices can seem almost impossible at times. Looking for fashion deals sounds as if it would be time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be.
*Check out outlet stores for great deals on items that didn’t quite make the cut for department store standards. Check seams for strength, look for missing buttons, make sure the zippers work and inspect the item for obvious imperfections. Oftentimes you won’t be able to tell the difference in an outlet item and one straight off the rack from your local Niemen Marcus. The most minor of flaws can get an item shipped off to the outlets, so keep watch for bargain finds.
*One woman’s trashed purse is another’s treasure or something like that. Shop consignment stores and clothing resale organizations on a Tuesday. Many people make donations on weekends and the newest items are put on the rack early in the week. Shop in the high-end areas of town for bottom-dollar prices on beautifully tailored threads.
*Look at online auction sites for style steals. Some buyers will put overstock online at low prices so that they can prep for new inventory. If you are unsure of sizing though, thoroughly read the return policy. You don’t want to put out money for an item that won’t fit and can’t be exchanged.
*Shop for fashion deals in the off-season. If you are one of those lucky people that pretty much remain in the same clothing size, shop ahead. Buy clothes for next summer just as this summer season is closing out. Stick with blacks, neutrals and other classics’this helps keep you in style no matter where the trends turn. You can always add less expensive accessories or the season’s latest shoe style to quickly update an outfit as well.

Consignment Store Shopping Benefits More Than Just Your Pocket Book

Money is tight, but the earth is still revolving and fashion trends are still changing. What is a girl (with little cash to spare) supposed to do? This is where thrift stores and consignment shops can be advantageous. These stores take in used, but still nice, clothing and resell the apparel at prices that can not be beat. Most shops are choosey about the types of clothing that adorns their racks, i.e. you won’t find stains and threadbare attire in a decent shop. Shopping at consignment and thrift stores is a terrific idea because the benefits are virtually endless.
-You get quality clothing at below-retail prices.
-The original seller makes a profit back on their purchase.
-The store makes a profit, which benefits the employees, owner and the economy all at once.
-The clothing does not go into a landfill. Instead, it is used until it is truly ready to be trashed.
In today’s going green mindset, this is one of the best means of reducing, reusing and recycling. Even obsolete styles can be updated to suit the needs of fussy fashionistas. Think of your typical style and then shop in an area of town that best fits the clothing you are looking for. If you like funky and eclectic, shop at the downtown thrift store. Designer apparel more your thing? Shop consignment stores in high-end neighborhoods for deals on top-quality wear.
Remember that you can usually exchange your own worn, but nice items for an in-store shopping spree credit! Don’t bother taking anything with holes, spills or missing pieces. Think of the quality that you want to see when shopping for pre-owned goods when choosing which items to take in. The clothes you sell to the consignment shop may be just what someone else is looking for. The process goes full circle.