Buy Used, Not New

I have been wearing used clothing since I can remember. My love of thrift/consignment shopping was started by my Mom, but I will be honest that I hated it as a kid. However, as an adult it is a hobby and shopping therapy. The peach bodycon dress below I grabbed for $3 from a local Maryland thrift store, and I tell you this to say that you can slay without your bank account having to pay! I have learned a few things when it comes to thrift/consignment shopping that I would like to share with you:

Know Your Brands: When I shop in thrift stores like Goodwill, I notice they often markup brands like J Crew or Banana Republic and even Target brands, and they are sometimes the clearance price you would find them in the store brand new. However, in my search for rare gems as I sift through racks I will come across my favorite designers like BCBG Max Ariza or M. M. LaFleur not marked up. I search for styles that fit my frame, and also brands that I know are quality and last. Know What you Need: Yes consignment/thrift shopping is therapy for me, but I like to look for things I need. As the seasons shift, I will look for items I want to add to my wardrobe for that season. For example, as summer is approaching I look for cute maxi or sun dresses that I can wear casually or for a Happy Hour with my girls. Give Away, Sell, or UpCycle: I will admit that thrift/consignment shopping can be addicting and often you can take an amount as little as $30 and leave with quite a few items. Over time, if you are not careful you will find your closet bursting at the seams. However, I recommend that you either donate, sell, or upcycle your items. I typically will donate to thrift stores whose profits go directly to local charities like House of Ruth for domestic violence victims or the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society for my local area. I also consign my items at local consignment shops or online merchants like Poshmark. If you are creative and know how to sew, then possibly you can upcycle your clothes like turning that bridesmaid dress into a night out dress. You can also upcylce furniture and other items in your home. Here are a list of my favorite thrift/consignment stores in the Maryland Area where I live: One Petticoat Lane Annapolis, MD Reddz Trading Georgetown, DC & Bethesda, MD Repeat Performance Consignment Pikesville, MD Goodwill Ellicott City, MD

Furniture Consign and Design Annapolis, MD Ruth’s Closet Owings Mill, MD