Saving cash & making cash: the name of the game in consigning
Consignment stores are more popular than ever these days. They’re no longer a mere “second hand” store but a unique venue full of history; housing vintage, new, used and designer named clothing, shoes and accessories.
There are six leading clothing consignment stores in the Charleston area, which means plenty of affordable choices and originality streaming onto the streets of Charleston.
Why should you shop consignment?
- Affordable prices.
- Unique purchases: there’s only one of everything in the store. There’s a certain high that comes with finding something you love in your size and knowing that you’re the only one in the store walking out with it.
- If you want vintage, new, used or designer, this is the one store where you’ll find it all.
- You have the option to gain store credit by consigning your own clothes. You also have the alternative to make cash back on your clothing items.
- Anyone from the age of 18 to 80 can enjoy shopping consignment.
- The stores are typically well merchandised and organized so it’s easy to browse through efficiently.
I had the opportunity to go into the Butterfly Consignment store on upper King Street and I spoke with Lallie and Michelle, Butterfly representatives. They gave me some great insight and tips on why consigning is the new way to shop!
The best time to shop:
There isn’t really a best or worst time, it’s more about becoming a regular consigner and keeping a watchful eye on the daily turnover in the store.
Ensuring you’re getting a good deal on the clothing:
Butterfly has high expectations and low tolerance for “shabby chic”. They insist on quality clothes and are very selective with the items coming into the store. This guarantees quality and also ensures a great price point for the end consumer, as many of the items still have their tags and are either vintage or designer.
Why consignment is a great alternative to other retail shops
Butterfly Consignment prides themselves on their customer service. Every customer that enters the store is treated with the utmost respect and greeted with a smile. They consider themselves style coaches as they advise their customers in what is best for them, providing a better shopping experience.
The consignee is their best customer
The main customer at a consignment store is one who also consigns there. They are consistent with buying and selling in the store and are loyal to consigning.
It’s an art – once you get used to consigning, it’s exciting to find great deals and unique and quality treasures. Why not be a consigner?
Sought-after brands
Jeans are their most desired items especially brands such as Seven 7, Lucky and True Religion … but remember they only come in one size at a time – so that’s why it’s important to keep a watchful eye on the things you want!
So ladies, don’t brush it off as “second hand.” Put your hard-earned dollars to good use and make some money while you’re at it. Be sure to call the store ahead of time before bringing in garments to consign. Most consignment stores have standard requirements for all clothing they intend to sell for you.
Anna Stewart
Our new fave website: Couturious.com
If you like pre-shopping online before you hit the stores, then you should definitely check out Couturious.com! It is a fabulous site that lets you put looks together from head to toe.
Start by choosing a model, mood (background), and body shape. Then dress your model using categories like dresses, tops, bottoms, shoes… or pick a look such as Boho, Street, Edgy, Classic… They will be adding more options in the near future to make the experience even better. The featured designers on the site include Alice & Olivia, Charlotte Ronson, Cynthia Rowley, TIBI, Tory Burch, and Yigal Azrouel . Needless to say, the clothes you choose from are amazing!
I styled a few looks and now I can’t stop, I LOVE all the different options. There is something for everyone and every occasion! I’m anxious to see what the site adds next.
After the look is complete, show it off on Facebook or Twitter! The entire look will be displayed, along with each individual item with designer and cost. The website has featured stylist and hot new looks, so if you look is chic and fashion forward you could get recognition and votes that will take you to the top!
So become your own stylist and create a hot new look that is to die for!
-Megan
Growing success from a yellow dress – Interview with local designer, Sarah Acker
Sarah Acker has always loved to make clothes but who knew that one yellow dress would be the launching point for her brand, Sarah Maxwell. She made the yellow dress for a friend, unaware of the demand she’d garner for more designs. Talent and experience are not the only reasons for Sarah Acker’s success as a designer, her unique eye for beautiful fabric and color would leave any woman looking for that romantic, flirty and feminine style wanting more. Sarah let us in to her studio on upper King Street to share her insight on the design industry and overall tips on developing a personal style. Check out the interview and photos below:
Mackenzie Image Consulting (MIC): Why did you decide to be a designer?
Sarah Acker (SA): I have always loved anything creative, clothes and dressing up. I think it has sort of been a progression in my life. It’s a challenging industry but a lot of fun.
MIC: How did you develop your skills as a designer?
SA: I majored in Studio Art at the University of Georgia and focused on sculpture and textiles. I also studied fashion design abroad in Florence, Italy. After I graduated, I started working in New York as an intern with Anna Sui and Alexander Wang. Between those two companies, I gained experience in both design and the showroom/sales side of the business. While interning, I started making clothes more seriously and had some produced in the city.
MIC: What advice do you have for anyone looking to develop their personal style?
SA: Have an open mind. I think a lot of people are too afraid to step out of their box because they have an idea of what they should or can wear simply because it’s what they’re used to. If you see something you love, fight the urge to assume it won’t look good on you or you can’t pull it off. Just try it on! However, you have to be careful you don’t try too hard. It seems like people try to out-fashion eachother, but the ones who always look the best are the ones who make dressing look effortless and natural.
MIC: Where do you draw inspiration from?
SA: That is such a hard question for me because it is always changing. I gain inspiration from traveling, watching certain movies, going to a concert or a gallery, an antique store … everywhere! Sometimes the fabric is my inspiration. When I’m shopping, a lot of times I will buy fabric not knowing what I’m going to do with it. Later when I start to work with it, the design falls into place.
MIC: What’s been the hardest thing to overcome since you launched in 2008?
SA: I think one of the hardest concepts to manage has been placing a value on something so personal to me; being able to put a price tag on garments that are my own design. It’s been difficult at times to stand my ground on pricing and developing overall price points for garments. I want to be very giving to my clients but also have to make sure I take care of myself and my costs first.
MIC: What keeps you motivated?
SA: I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason. Along the way I have had periods where I get really discouraged but it seems like I always get some sort of affirmation that I’m doing the right thing. It really comes down to the fact that I love what I’m doing and am excited to see what happens in the future.
MIC: What is one tip you can recommend for anyone going into a fashion career?
SA: Have a thick skin and be ready to work. In this industry you work your way up from the very bottom and along the way there are a lot of people who want you to know your place. Just make sure you’re doing it because you love it and that you are in the right place within the industry. There are a lot of ways to be involved with fashion than just design. Be open to exploring other areas of the industry.
MIC: What does the word confidence mean to you?
SA: Comfort in your own skin.
MIC: In your opinion, how does one provoke self-confidence?
SA: This is a very hard subject for modern women and especially difficult with reference to the fashion industry. To provoke confidence in yourself, find things that make you happy and that you’re good at and do them as often as possible. Surround yourself with people who love and believe in you. To provoke it in others, be a kind and encouraging person. People will like being around you which will in turn boost your own self-confidence.
Check out the Sarah Maxwell collection online by clicking here. You can find her designs locally at II Brunettes in Mt. Pleasant.
Check out the full photoshoot from our interview here.
-Shauna
Charleston, SC
