InStyleBelly.com - A Consignment Store For Maternity Wear

April 12, 2009 07:00 AM | Comments (0) | Posted in consignment shop, site review, maternity fashion, in style belly

InStyleBelly.com is a online/offline consignment boutique for designer maternity wear.

The Selection: The high-end designer roster ranges from Juicy Couture Maternity, ABS, Michael Stars and even Diane Von Furstenberg.  The prices are reasonable for fashion forward pieces: $90 for a black Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress, only $23 for a bright yellow Diane Von Furstenberg sleeveless henley, and $54 for a stretchy denim skirt by Joe’s Jeans.  InStyleBelly’s inventory includes only “excellent condition” clothing; absolutely none of the clothing can show signs of stains, pilling, etc.  Additionally, all of the clothing must be “in current fashion” - trends that span back no more than 3 years, unless they’re vintage.  And, of course, all the clothes must be clean. (hello…)

How Buying Works: The online store itself organized intuitively; categories on the right hand side are broken up into the specific category of clothing you might want. Career wear?  Check.  Attending a special occasion? Check.  Looking for new jeans, sleepwear, or blouses?  Also check.  Some items overlap several categories; the same dress can be found under special occasion and dresses , for example.  Best of all, and especially important for dressing your growing baby bump, you can Shop By Size.  Also, since InStyleBelly does sell “new” clothing, some with tags attached, the boutique promises to price match if you can find a lower price.  While the price matching policy is good, it worries us a bit; does that mean InStyleBelly’s prices for new items tend to be comparable to department store prices? If so, why would we want to shop InStyleBelly’s small selection?  Lastly, InStyleBelly has a strict return policy , as most second-hand stores do; a mere 5 day window for returns.

How Selling Works: If you want to sell through InStyleBelly, you must become a cosignor.  This requires first and foremost that you sign their cosignor agreement.  By doing so, you agree to meet all of their clothing quality, trendiness and designer status criteria. You also give InStyleBelly the discretion to set prices and determine how long the item is available for sale.    The item adheres to a strict pricing schedule: full asking price for one month, 25% off the second month, and 50% off the third and last month. You receive 50% of the actual selling price.  You are responsible for shipping costs to and from their boutique, minus a $10 reimbursement.

The Verdict:  InStyleBelly is a good place to browse for discounted designer maternity clothing that won’t have you looking like a walking sack, and a decent place to sell it, if you’re willing to wait.  If you’re going to buy second-hand anything, it might as well be maternity clothing. The initial selection at InStyleBelly is attractive, and affordably priced - this store is a great place to browse for discounted designer maternity wear.  Hopefully, the selection will become bigger, better and even lower priced as the store grows.  Maternity clothing is also a valuable and smart thing to sell, once you’ve had your baby. The only downside is that you must wait for your item to sell, before you get paid.  (It would be nicer to get cash up front.)  However, if you’re willing to wait, you should take advantage of InStyleBelly’s online boutique to profit from clothes you can no longer wear anyway.

The Budget Fashionista’s Tips for Selling Your Clothes

April 6, 2009 07:00 AM | Comments (3) | Posted in ebay, consignment shop, salvation army, stein mart, spring cleaning

In case you missed it: continue Spring cleaning by getting rid of your old stuff in a useful way.

Whether you’re hurting for a little extra cash, or you’re simply cleaning your closet, a most satisfying way to get rid of your old clothes is to sell them.  Here’s how to make a decent profit out of your closet.

Get the 1-2-3s of prepping your closet for clothing to sell: we have some tips on how to organize everything into piles.

Also, if you’re donating clothing, make sure you know what paperwork to keep for further savings down the road.

How to sell your clothes on eBay: know the best time to end your auctions, what info to include, and more.

How to sell at a consignment shop: know what fees are reasonable, and what to expect from the contract.  Also, make sure to check out our review of InStyleBelly, the consignment store for maternity clothing. 

Give to Get at Stein Mart: by donating some of your clothes, you can get a discount to shop for new stuff.

Redress NYC: A New Spot for Plus Size Fashion Lovers in New York

December 19, 2008 01:00 PM | Comments (0) | Posted in plus size fashion, consignment shop, new york, vintage shop, redress, lee lee valise

What: Redress NYC. A slamming new consignment shop/ vintage boutique for plus size fashionistas in Brooklyn, NY. Located in the Boerum Hill section, Redress NYC is one of the first consignment/vintage shop to specialize in sizes 14+.

Prior to the opening of the store,  plus size shopping in New York fell into three categories: Somewhat stylish, but poor quality (Ashley Stewart, plus junior lines at Macys, places we do shop),  Muumuus for Ladies who Lunch (Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor which we love at times, especially during a sale), and cool, but out of our price range(Monif C, Lee Lee Valise, whom we heart like Target, but can make a sista go broke).  Redress offers plus size fashionistas a solid, affordable, alternative to this option.

What I Like: The space is incredible, at least 2000 sq feet, which is something you will not find in Manhattan for any store, yet alone a plus size store, with a large selection of both mall based plus size brands like Lane Bryant and Torrid and classic vintage pieces from the 30s, 40s, 50s, etc expertly curated and arranged by the store’s owner Deb Malkin. The actual quality of the vintage pieces were perhaps the best I’ve ever seen in any consignment shop, regardless of size classification.

Most of all, there was no digging cause Deb has already done it for you. I love the hunt as much as the next bargain hunter (more about my longtime love affair with Sally’s boutique), but sometimes you just want to go into a store and shop without the drama.  Prices fall in the $15-$600 price range, with items from mall stores on the low end and the vintage items commanding the big bucks.

Also, I loved the bathroom. You can tell a lot about a place from its bathroom and Redress has the best store bathroom I’ve ever been in. Seriously… Painted flowers, smelly hand soap and lotion. Made me feel special and welcomed, like Deb really did put some thought into the store and her customers. You feel good about shopping there because the store wants you as a customer- something you rarely get as a plus size shopper.

What I Didn’t Like: First, if you’re looking to make some cash off your clothing, the price paid for garments is low, compared to the amount in which Redress would sell it for (ex: y$5 for a shirt that they would sell for like $30), so you’re probably better off heading to another consignment store to sell your items (plus size garments are often the top sellers at consignment shops). However, you can opt to get paid in store credit, which is a much higher payout (almost twice as high in my case) and a good option if you’re more interested in recycling your clothing than cash in your pocket.  Some of the vintage pieces were crazy expensive, like $500 expensive, which is way too much for handmade (ie something your grandma sewed for you or your mom back in the day) garments. However, I did find a rare pucci-esque print dress with a front slit up to my waist for $70 in store credit. Cheap? Nope. Unique? Yes.

The Brooklyn location, especially for visitors and those of us who live in Manhattan, isn’t the most convenient but the store is located in a cute, hipster, neighbor and the F train stop is nearby.

Yea or Nay: Hells to the Yea, but keep in mind that it’s not extreme budget and if you’re taking the train, make sure you have a flexible schedule.

Store Details:
109 Boerum Place
Brooklyn, NY
between Pacific + Dean
f/g train to Bergen Street stop

Store hours
Thursday - Saturday / noon to 9pm
and Sunday / noon to 7pm

You can reach owner Deb Malkin and Re/Dress:
deb@redressnyc.com
or 718-522-7960

Tips for Consignment Store Shopping

October 23, 2008 01:00 PM | Comments (1) | Posted in consignment shop, economic survival guide, shopping tips

Every budget fashionista is familiar with a fundamental fact associated with finding fierce clothes for as little money as possible: Consignment and secondhand stores can yield some great finds at great prices—you never really know what you’re going to find! One woman’s castoff is another woman’s couture, and if you’re really lucky you can find some items that have never even been worn at a price that is unbelievable.

This does not mean, however, that you should waltz into a consignment store, whip out your credit card, and grab all the stuff you can get your hands on. Just like with any other shopping trip, you need to budget beforehand and do what you can in order to get the best deal possible. So how can you enjoy consignment store shopping without making your budget suffer? Read these five tips for extreme budget shopping at consignment stores, for starters:

1. Set a budget and stick to it…really. You should already know what you can afford to spend before you wander into the store. How do you figure this out? Think about how much money you have that isn’t already obligated for bills, savings, or emergency money. Don’t spend money you can’t afford to part with. If you don’t need a specific item, and your closet is already packed, don’t give yourself a bunch of money to spend.

2. Haggle with the owner or manager. Plenty of consignment and secondhand stores are small enough to where the person working the cash register is also the person in charge of making decisions. The next time you approach the counter with a handful of clothes, consider a negotiation. If you have $200 worth of clothing in your hands, ask if you can pay $175. Don’t feel apprehensive. You might be surprised to find that your request is granted and you can walk out with enough money to buy some shoes off a clearance rack.

3. Wait for sales. Even consignment and secondhand stores have sales, especially when they need to move some products to refresh their inventory. When a store like this is having a sale then it’s time to head over there and have a look around. What’s better than gently used clothing? Gently used clothing on sale, of course.

4. Call ahead of time. If you are looking for a specific piece of clothing – suppose you need a black cocktail dress for a dinner, for example – you can call the store ahead of time and ask if they have anything like it in your size. Why should you bother to do this? The answer is simple: If they don’t have anything like what you are looking for then you shouldn’t risk going into the store and finding a bunch of stuff that you don’t really need but decide that you want to buy.

5. Don’t take your credit card with you. You’re much more likely to splurge and spend beyond your means if you’re paying with a credit card instead of bringing cash into the store with you. There is just something about paying with cash that makes most people reign in their spending. As a bonus, you may be able to ask for a cash discount.

Also, consider walking into the consignment or secondhand store with your arms full of clothes from your own closet that you don’t wear anymore—you might get enough store credit to pick up some great new pieces.

 

 

Go Green and Save Money: Personal Finance Advice

September 28, 2008 03:59 PM | Comments (2) | Posted in consignment shop, recycling, personal_finance, go_green, vintage

You may not have realized this quite yet, but personal finances and being environmentally conscious can go hand in hand. Going green is really trendy right now, so why not combine your environmentally-conscious savvy with your efforts to get your personal finances in order?

Here is an example: You choose to shop for vintage clothing at a consignment shop instead of heading to the mall to buy up a bunch of new stuff.

Why this is Green: Recycling goes beyond cans and paper bags. Any time you extend the life of a product – like clothing – you’re living a more sustainable lifestyle. If more people bought clothes secondhand then fewer resources would be used up for the production and shipment of new clothes.

Why this is fabulously frugal: Secondhand clothing can save you a lot of money because it usually doesn’t cost as much as brand new clothes do, and as an added bonus you can find some clothes that not everyone else is wearing at the moment.

Another example: You bring your own reusable cup filled with water when you head off to the gym.

Why this is Green: Even though plastic water bottles are recyclable, a good portion of them wind up in landfills instead of getting recycled. Plenty of valuable resources are used to produce these bottles too.

Why this is fabulously frugal: You can save a lot of money by drinking water from your faucet, even if you run it through a filter first. Buying disposable water bottles over and over again can get awfully expensive.

It’s true that some Green clothing – especially organically produced clothing – can sometimes cost a lot more than clothes produced using traditional means. When you’re trying to keep your spending down you need to pick and choose which products you’re willing to spend more for in order to be more environmentally friendly. This is one instance when the frugal choice is still the best choice for the environment. You have less of an environmental impact by purchasing some secondhand clothes than you do by purchasing some brand new clothes that are certified Green.

Then again, it’s probably a greener and more frugal decision to not buy any additional clothes at all, but who wants to do that really?

The point is that going green and being frugal doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go join a commune and forgo your love of fashion. You can still be fiercely fabulous while also keeping your finances in order and lessening your environmental impact. You just need to look at things from a Green perspective while also keeping your personal finances in mind.

Fashion Advice: Best Places to Shop in New York

June 10, 2007 10:54 AM | Comments (1) | Posted in fashion advice, consignment shop, designer brands, discount shops, New York City shops, new york city shops

Dear Budget Fashionista,

I have an addiction to certain high-priced labels (Marc Jacobs, Prada, Marni) but i can’t shell out full price. As a New Yorker, I know about century 21, sample sales, and Woodbury Commons, but is there some warehouse where these labels are drastically reduced?

Well… I head to thrift and consignment shops (Salvation Army, Michael’s on the upper Eastside, Ina’s, Fisch for the Hip on 18th between 6th and 7th ave,etc) and to stores like Gabay’s (14th and 1st) and Aaron’s in Brooklyn that very few shoppers know about. Also there’s this store right in the middle of the block on like 36th btw 7th and 8th, that is right next to the clothingline sample sale place (which is another great place to shop, bought a My Flat in London bag for $50) that can be hit or miss, but when it hits…..

There used to be more places, but designers have really started to crack down on the liquidation of their overstock (ie Prada’s outlet at Woodbury recently closed) in an effort to better “control” their brands.

Online try sites like Overstock and Smart Bargains, which sell real designer items at a discount. Gotham City Online is a great place to find discounted designer shoes (Marc Jacobs flats, $160 down from $385) . You have to be VERY careful with online sites because some are not legit and sell designer knock-offs . . .

Budget Best: Online Vintage Consignment Stores

June 29, 2006 11:06 AM | Comments (2) | Posted in ebay, consignment shop, goodwill, salvation army, vintage, shopping advice, rodeo drive resale, catching the butterfly, the snob, hey viv

One of my favorite childhood memories involves rummaging through the racks of the local Junior League thrift store with my seamstress grandma. A Saturday morning ritual, I never left the shop empty handed. There was always a vintage patent leather clutch or rhinestone brooches or Hermes like silk scarf—with prices tags well under $5.00. 

Fast forward 20 years.Now vintage fashion doesn’t always equal bargain prices. Deals that could be found in local thrift stores are now going for $100.00 plus dollars at online and offline vintage stores. In fact, many vintage and consignment shop owners stock their stores with items they found at their local Salvation Army and Goodwill (biggest spot—Jersey City Salvation Army).  However, all is not lost. There’s been a emergence of online vintage stores that have great items without the high mark-ups. Here’s some of my favorite.

But first ... a few things to remember


1. Sizes, like people, change over time. Sizes of clothing pre-1980 tend to run significantly smaller than its comparable size today. The rule of thumb is to add 2 sizes to your current size to find your vintage size. For example, if you wear a size 10 now, you would wear about a size 14 in vintage clothing.

2. Follow care instructions carefully. Because of age, vintage fabric tends to be much more delicate than newer items. Make sure you follow the care instructions exactly. Unless otherwise expressed in the care instructions, I would send all vintage items to a reputable dry cleaner.

3. Try several places before purchasing. Prices of vintage items vary greatly by stores. Search around, and you may find a similar item cheaper at another shop.

4. Shop it like a regular store. Yes, that Pucci print jumpsuit is exactly like one worn by Edie Sedgwick in the 60s. However, if you wouldn’t purchase it on the rack of a “regular” store, don’t purchase it now.

Shop Goodwill-Our Favorite thrift store now has an online auction site. The nicely designed site is not quite Ebay, but you can find items at a cheaper price than its for-profit competitor. Shop Goodwill is the best place for cheap costume jewelry on the web. Where else could you find one of this season’s hottest styles, cameo brooches, for $2.00? There is a major downside to the site, very few of the postings have pictures.

ebay.com- Ebay has started to ramp up its style section, with a focus on fashionistas on a budget. Good deals can be found here, especially in the area of vintage fashion. I’ve purchased several items from the store, most recently a vintage hat covered with silk daisies circa 1962.  Before spending any money with an Ebay store, check it sellers ratings and view their buyer comments. In addition, always purchase items from e-bay using a credit card with buyer protection. That way if the item is fake (which happens more often than not), you may be able to get your money back via the credit you used to purchase the item.

Fashion Dig—The grandma of online vintage. Has a HUGE database of online and offline vintage stores.

The Snob—One of the first and largest online vintage retailers, the Snob has a comprehensive, searchable, online database of vintage fashions from designers like Versace, gently worn authentic Hermes handbags (including vintage), Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Valentino, Missoni, Malo, Fendi, Jil Sander, Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, Chanel and Prada shoes and bags. . All merchandise is authentic and in excellent condition (some items in mint, unworn condition). Check out their large selection of plus size vintage and consignment items.

Rodeo Drive Resale - This Rodeo drive based store, has a online store with an impressive collection of vintage handbags and evening dresses worn by stars to premieres and Hollywood events. Of particular interest is perhaps the largest selection of St. John Knits consignment items. Frequent costumers can negotiate free shipping on their purchases.

Vintage Trends—Large vintage online store for men, women, and children. Has not only clothing, but has vintage military, lingerie and housewares as well. My favorite section is the vintage ethnic clothing from Pakistan to Ghana to Bali. Most items priced between $20-$50.

Hey Viv—Looking for 1950’s/ early 1960’s inspired dresses. Have dreams of purchasing a dress that would make June Cleaver green with envy? Hey Viv is the 1950’s/1960’s inspired vintage store selling dresses, and outfits from the time period of I love Lucy and big cars. Great place to look for a poodle skirt. Most items priced below $40.

Know a great vintage site that should be on this list? Submit it (go to the customer feedback form) to me. I am always on the prowl…….

How to Sell to a Consignment Shop

May 19, 2005 12:42 PM | Comments (0) | Posted in consignment shop, how to, selling used items

At the end of each season, I sell my clothes to a local consignment shop.  Each consignment shop sets its own guidelines for the type of designers, styles, sizes and quality they prefer. You and the consignment shop enter into an agreement by which the shop sells your goods for a percentage of the price (selling fee). This fee usually runs between 30 to 70% of the item’s selling price.  As with everything, this can be negotiated depending on the quality and the designer. For example, if you have a high-end Hermes bag you would like to sell, you could probably negotiate a lower consigning fee. Once your item is sold, the consignment shop takes out its fees and sends you a check for the rest.

Before consigning any items, make sure you receive a contract that spells out how much of the sale you will receive and the length of the contract (30-60-90 days). If you are leaving your items with the store, ask for the option to pick up any unwanted items or have them donated to a local thrift store. You should go for the pick up option, so you get the tax benefits of the donation.