Clothing on a Budget or How to Dress Very Well for Less

It's possible to dress VERY well... on the tiniest of budgets... if you know just how to go about it.

Clothing Exchanges and Consignment Shops: If you don't have a lot of time to spend, we recommend going to a clothing exchange or consignment shop. Here you will typically find the more upscale and designer clothing. It's also a great way to "recycle" your really good pieces of clothing as well. Usually you will get, on trade, about 1/2 of the price for which the shop expects to sell the item of clothing. Some shops will also pay cash... about 1/3 to 1/4 of what they expect to get. In either case, you get "instant gratification. With consignment shops, you may ultimately get more in cash, but you have to wait until the item sells... and then perhaps another 30 days beyond that to get paid. We prefer the exchanges to the consignment shops where they exist.

Thrift Shops This is definitely for the "more time than money" crowd. There are many thousands of wonderful thrift shops around the country run by various charitable organizations, commercial groups like Goodwill, and by enterprising individuals. We recommend establishing a "route" of a half dozen or so shops in your area and go there on a regular basis. If you are patient, and if you maintain a really high standard... and buy ONLY those items which are "true finds", you will eventually build a very exciting and inexpensive wardrobe of true "collectors items" you can be proud of. If you have a really good eye and choose pieces which are grossly undervalued, you can also find pieces to bring to exchanges and consignment shops or to sell at auction.

eBay. eBay is a great place to find high end clothing at a really great price. Again, be really picky and don't get "caught up in" the auction. Unless a piece is a one-of-a-kind designer piece or vintage piece that you "must have"... its best to set a price and use a "sniping tool" (we like Auctionstealer which lets you snipe up to 3 items a week for free) which will let you put in your "top bid" at the very last minute... without your being online and without driving up the auction price by early bidding. Ebay is also a great place to sell any piece you've found in thrift stores.

Here are some tips for choosing items to sell on ebay or bring to a clothing exchange:

1) Name brand designer clothing

2) Clothing that is in good repair... that LOOKS brand new. No fading. No pilling. No stains of any kind. No tears or ripped seams.

3) In the case of ebay, clothing that is "searchable". Designer names. Stores like Gap, Banana Republic, Bloomingdates, etc. Searchable categories like "bridesmaid", MOB (mother of the bride), pageant, vintage, art to wear, artsie, etc.

Here are some example of where to buy "recycled" clothing:

Buffalo Exchange "New and Recycled Fashions" Locations in: Albuquerque | Austin | Berkeley | Boulder | Costa Mesa | Dallas | Denver | Eugene | Fort Collins | Houston | Las Vegas | Long Beach | Los Angeles | New Orleans | New York City | Philadelphia | Phoenix | Portland | San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle | Sherman Oaks | Tempe | Tucson   "... is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded directly with store customers. Bring in your former favorites for trade or cash on the spot! Buffalo Exchange will buy quality items that can be resold, making our selection eclectic and fun. Our ever-changing inventory includes designer wear, vintage, jeans, leather, great basics, and irresistible one-of-a-kind items. You'll also find new merchandise and accessories to choose from. We offer great fashion finds at low prices at Buffalo Exchange...where recycling is always in style. What Buffalo Exchange Customers are Saying

Rodeo Drive Resale This is an online resale shop with an extensive collection of designer fashions and accessories.

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