REDUCE, REUSE RESTYLE

by Claire Miglionico

Photo by Claire Miglionico

As childish as it may sound, back-to-school shopping is the buzz I look forward to every fall. This year, however, I barely shopped. Instead, I decided on putting up old clothes for consignment in various second hand and consignment clothing stores around the city.

Consignment stores like Kit Apparel in Inglewood or Trend Fashions in Kensington accept freshly laundered and preferably seasonal clothing from clients like ourselves. In return, we receive 40 per cent of the final sale price. This may not seem like a lot, but hey, in theend,Imayendupwith a $30 check at the end of every month.

At first I was a little skeptical, thinking I would barely make any profit with the few of my old clothes I wanted to consign. But when I learned that my mom was about to donate (that is, give away for free!) 10 garbage bags full of her barely worn vintage attire, I stepped in and offered to sort through the clothes, heels, and handbags and put them up for consignment for some extra cash.

I spent endless scrumptious hours rummaging through the stuff. Conveniently, I found a few articles of clothing I kept for myself (my buzz for the fall) and proceeded to pack up the remaining items back in their designated garbage bags. Now it was time for me to hunt for the ideal consignment store. What store was going to give me the best price? What store would accept vintage ‘80s and ‘90s attire and what store was going to accept present-day clothing?

I visited four consignment stores and found they all had the same split: 40 per cent for clients, and 60 per cent for the store. I opted for Kit Apparel — a new unisex consignment store in Inglewood — for the vintage attire. I particularly liked the shop’s affordability and the policy on clients having the choice to specify whether they want their clothing returned if they do not sell. For day-to-day clothing, I settled on Trend Fashions in Kensington. This store has excellent and affordable selection in women’s clothing and has always been in good standing. Consigning at the store has become so popular that only two garbage bags of clothing a day from each client are being accepted.

There are dozens more excellent second-hand and consignment stores in Calgary besides the two I chose to patronize. For your shopping pleasure and perhaps your consignment satisfaction, here are second-hand, vintage, and consignment stores I particularly enjoy browsing.

Swap spots

• Cat’s Eye Vintage: 614 10 Ave S.W. • Junk Star Vintage: 718 17 Avenue

• Value Village: 104 58 Avenue S.E.

• Divine Clothing: 720 17 Avenue S.W. S.W.

• Danielle’s Consignment: 105 – 908 17 Avenue S.W. (The Devenish Building)

• Kit Apparel: 917 12 Street S.E. • Trend Fashions Ltd.: 120 10 Street N.W.

• Used: 738A 17 Avenue S.W.

• What’s In Store: 1600 Edmonton Trail N.E.

• Better On You: 1222 8 Street S.W.

• Rewind Consignment Clothing: 1002 MacLeod Trail S.E. • Feisty Consignments: 921 17 Avenue S.W.