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Cheap Chic: Consignment Stores

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Consignment shops are great sources of designer fashions at a fraction of the price. Here are 14 of the best.

By Sara Levine ,   Gretchen Cook   Published Monday, September 22, 2008

Consignment shops now are more upscale. At Chic to Chic, recent finds included a L.A.M.B. cocktail dress for $190. All photographs by Jennifer Smoose

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Best for fashionistas: Grace & Kelli. The boutique ambiance hints at the sticker shock here: Handbags from Ferragamo, Prada, Chanel, and Gucci can run more than $1,000, suits from Akris, Burgamo, and Diane von Furstenburg $100 to $300. But the 30- to 40-percent discount on the latest fashions lure many—and prices drop 25 percent after two months. Online store runwayclothesconsignment.com shows and sells some of the shop’s clothing.

Best for urbanites: Secondi. In the oft-updated selection of clothing, shoes, and handbags you’ll find designer labels like Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci. A great place to look for party dresses.

Best for socialites: Inga’s Once Is Not Enough. The place for such high-end finds as fur coats, Tuleh dresses, and Manolo Blahnik stilettos. The Chanel section is particularly impressive, as is the hidden back room with haute handbags. While prices may seem high, everything is in excellent shape; some items still have tags from Neiman Marcus.

Best for ladies who lunch: Encore Resale Dress Shop. This longtime favorite with socialites offers a good selection of conservative but dressy couture, evening wear, and furs. Prices are most competitive in the everyday category, and don’t miss the $1 bin where an opera-going velvet gown recently landed.

Best for career women: Fashion Exchange. A great selection of professional and casually elegant outfits. The small shop has a few upmarket designers like St. John, Christian Lacroix, and Carolina Herrera, but most racks contain midrange separates for as low as $15. Handbags and shoes run to the practical and lower-priced, with a few justifiably costly items like a beautiful Prada purse for $350.

This woven clutch with snakeskin trim was recently selling for $60 at Chic to Chic.

Best for power lunchers: The Ritz. Pricey knit suits dominate, with more than 200 by St. John on a recent visit, but the prices on those—average $300—are still one-third below retail. The shop stocks conservative designers—Chanel, Hermès (scarves and men’s ties too), Louis Vuitton—as well as a small selection of furs and casually elegant separates.

Best for wide selection: Carousel Consignments. From $15 Ann Taylor slacks to midprice evening wear to $400 Chanel suits, this is a one-stop shop for top designers and affordable brands—and the discounts are some of the best around. The friendly staff will help you pick through the selection.

Manolo Blahnik sandals sold for $120.

Best for your first job: Clothes Encounters. Lots of young Hill staffers head here. The prices are low, and the selection skews toward business attire: jackets, pantsuits, conservative dresses.

Best for a (discounted) splurge: Second Chance. This small shop doesn’t have truly cheap finds, but you may spot an Yves Saint Laurent dress or Ferragamo shoes at a discount. If the gently used designer finds are still out of range, visit during twice-yearly sales.

Best for stylish everyday wear: Current Boutique. There are some designer pieces at this shop, which stocks new and consigned items, but the emphasis is on midprice brands—think Banana Republic or Seven jeans. Fun jewelry, too.

Best for dressing up: Chic to Chic. The chandelier says it all: couture clothing mixed with great service. Power suits mingle with sexy separates. Eveningwear from Moschino, Max Studio, James Perse, and Versace offers the best choices—with bargains like a $98 Nicole Miller cocktail dress. Lots of items are new because the owner shops retail sales.

Best for European flair: New to You. French rock sets the scene for hard-to-find couture—like a Thakoon evening jacket ($369) and a Roland Mouret jacket ($520). The style is largely for young, well-heeled hipsters looking for True Religion, Seven, and Citizens of Humanity jeans at one-third below retail, but professional women can find sophisticated or sexy separates, handbags, and shoes. Don’t miss the fine jewelry, which recently included a pair of 18-karat Cartier hoops for $1,645 ($1,000 off retail).

Best for teens: Mustard Seed. Though the consignment selection can be hit-or-miss, prices are good, and there are always plenty of jeans to peruse—with patience, you’re likely to find a good pair, no matter your age. The store also sells vintage and new items.

Best vibe: Diva Boutique. Housed in a lovely three-level Old Town rowhouse, owner Cindy McCartney’s shop is as cheery as she is. She sets out candy and other goodies for shoppers as they browse the well-edited selection of designer dresses, jeans, shoes, handbags, and more.

This article appears in the August 2008 issue of Washingtonian magazine. To see more articles in this issue, click here.

 

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Comments

Are there any good kid’s consignment shops around? I have some really nice dresses: gymboree, Lilly etc. as well as gear like kelty backpacks etc. I’d love to sell them and craigslist isn’t really worth the effort. Thanks!

Posted by: Molly, Oct 01, 2009 06:50:59 AM

Don’t forget consignment for the home. The Goodwill store in Rockville (located behind White Flint Mall) is a great place to find tables, chairs, lamps and more. You’d be surprise what a little paint can do!

Posted by: Nicole McGrath, Jun 25, 2009 07:49:30 AM

Here is a new one worth notable mentioning. you can find it at www.twiceenvyd.com

Posted by: Lisa, Jun 13, 2009 05:41:09 PM

"Could you recommend a few good men’s consignment stores in the VA / DC area?"

To find a consignment or resale shop near you, visit the Consignment Pal Resale Directory at http://consignmentpal.com .

Linda
Consignment Pal Resale Directory
http://consignmentpal.com

Posted by: Consignment Pal Resale Directory, Jun 08, 2009 04:36:33 PM

I know a great little multi-media store on
ebay http://stores.shop.ebay.com/HASHMI-ENTERPRISES__W0QQ_armrsZ1 specializes in
vintage records, comic, sci-fi movies and more!

Posted by: FARYAL, Jun 01, 2009 07:55:12 PM

Please recommend a few good men’s consignment shops as my husband is looking to shed quite a lot of high end suits, shirts and ties purchased from Neiman’s or Nordstrom or directly from the labels.

Posted by: kathie, May 13, 2009 08:09:40 AM

Are there any good consignment stores for tweens - interested in the nice party/cotillion appropriate clothing

Posted by: BusyMom, Apr 06, 2009 07:06:02 AM

If you have been ripped off by Washington Consignment Store or NEST Home Furnishings please consider contacting us. We are working together to get people’s money for them.

washconsign.investigators@gmail.com

You can also read more at this BLOG about the people they took for their money owed from consignments.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/10/30/washington-consignment-closes-still-owes-people-money/


Ms. Devol, above, is right.

If you know anyone who has been a victim of either of these stores please ask them to contact us. Thank you.

Posted by: TheTeamOnYourSide, Mar 30, 2009 10:11:31 AM

Could you recommend a few good men’s consignment stores in the VA / DC area?

Thanks,

Greg Viggiano

gregviggiano@yahoo.com

Posted by: Greg Viggiano, Jan 26, 2009 05:59:10 AM

There are also consignment boutiques on the web. I’ve been using consignmentcocktails.com to buy and sell cocktail dresses and update my event and going out wardrobe. So much cheaper than buying at a department store or new at a boutique -- and I have the chance to shop around people’s closets all over the country!!

Looks like no one will have my dress on at the next event :)

Posted by: Nicole , Jan 14, 2009 11:25:51 AM

http://shop.seechina100.cn/

Posted by: STARDUST, Jan 14, 2009 04:24:32 AM

Although I didn’t see anything about Washington Consignment, they have taken furniture and household items from many people, sold them and never gave the consignor their money..

They are going out of business and so many more people will loose b/c of their greed.

Posted by: Julie DeVol, Sep 26, 2008 10:57:03 AM

Hi Ellie: If you click on the name of each store, you will find their address, phone number, and web site. Thanks for reading!

Posted by: Catherine (washingtonian.com), Sep 24, 2008 06:27:52 AM

i realize that this is in general geared towards women, but it would be nice if you mention whether a shop carries male clothing as well.

Posted by: a, Sep 23, 2008 03:19:07 PM

Do any sell men’s clothes?

Posted by: Steve, Sep 23, 2008 02:41:00 PM

It would be great if you listed the address of each shop. That way I would know if they are convenient enough for me to log on.

Thank you.

Posted by: ELLIE, Sep 23, 2008 11:59:10 AM

This is a good overview on where to find some great consignment deals, but which of these places will buy good clothes from you? I am moving to a warmer climate in a couple of weeks and have some Seven Jeans, Theory suits, BCBG sweaters, etc. to consign, and I was wondering which places are most likely to buy them from me for decent price...

Posted by: EmmaB, Sep 23, 2008 08:33:40 AM

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