Consignment shops: Picking the best items to buy and sell.

When shopping for clothing I like to be very picky about what I decide to purchase. Just because you want to look nice and make a good impression does not mean you are a superficial person. There are some items I am not interested in, unless they are new, and others I look for specifically at consignment stores because of the price value. The number one piece of clothing I like to browse for in the consignment shops are pants or jeans. A new pair of jeans can cost at least $20 or more. $20 being the bargain price. In the used clothing stores they can be priced as low as $4. And you can find the name brands you like, if you pick a good consignment store that is particular about the items they take in. For example, my current favorite pair of jeans are American Eagle brand, good as new. I have also seen Aeropostale, Old Navy, Gap, Anne Taylor and even Isaac Mizrahi on the racks. Some even with the tags still attached from the very first purchase. This means they were never worn!! Unbelievable. When I find such a steal it definitely turns my head. A good piece of information to get when shopping consignment stores is what days they take in merchandise. That way you know when the store has been restocked with "newer" items, you can be the first to pick through what has just been put out. This will give you a better chance at finding those items with the tags still on them.

Other great pieces to look for include, Coats, sweaters, kids clothing, prom gowns, shorts, capris, jackets, belts, purses and maternity clothes. Kids clothing is especially important and useful to look for , "gently used", because kids grow out of them so darn quickly. There is no need to buy brand new regular everyday clothes for your baby or toddler when you can save a bundle at the consignment store. Young children this age are maturing so fast that they barely get much use out of their first two years of clothes. Therefore when you find toddler and baby clothes they are almost new and you save up to 50% or more in the long run. Maternity clothes are another money saving item to search for. Again, your belly will be growing so much throughout your pregnancy that you will not get more than a couple weeks worth of use out of your shirts and pants. Therefore the clothing you find will not be overused, and you can save about 75% on these second hand items.

The items I tend to overlook in the consignment stores, unless they still have first purchase tags attached, are specifically shoes and shirts. I do not browse for used shoes because I am afraid of what foot fungus or germ may be inside the shoe. There are many who may disagree or find that silly, but that is my preference. When it comes to shirts I am also very cautious because most deodorants tend to leave a stale odor within the shirtsleeves and I like my own personal scents.

Just as there are certain items that are best to buy at a consignment shop, there are certain items that sell better as well. Check which days your local shop takes clothing items. You may have to make an appointment or come on a certain day and time of the week. If you follow the pattern of the season, which the shops usually have you adhere to anyway, you will make the best money when selling. For example, if prom season is around the corner and you have some gowns, bring them in to be sold. Another example would be to sell your child's grown out clothes to buy new bigger sizes for them. You may also have some great selections you no longer wish to have in your wardrobe. Shoes, belts, hats, coats and purses are great selling items all year long. And last, if you have gently used maternity clothes, they are also a hot item to be sold. As mentioned above, they do not get much use and are greatly needed throughout a woman's pregnancy.  Most of all as you drop off selections from your ever changing wardrobe and hunt for the newest exciting accessory to add to it, have fun and be proud of yourself for giving back and saving a buck or two.  Good luck!