First-class secondhand: Hot fashion, cool prices
By Lesley Kennedy 
| July 27, 2009 | 12:01 PM
An owl pendant ($48) from Babareeba makes a fashion statement without causing too much damage to your bank account. (RMI photo by Lesley Kennedy)
Money may be tight and each expense might be under scrutiny, but that doesn’t mean you have to nix clothes-shopping from your budget altogether.
In fact, looking presentable is as important as ever in this economy. Job interviews, networking and just feeling good about yourself and confident in your appearance can help boost your career and your mood.
The good news: You don’t have to pay high prices for good clothing. Look for summer sidewalk and clearance sales going on now, or turn to shops offering gently used goods.
“Years ago, I think there was a stigma about buying used clothes or shoes,” says Mary Simms, owner of Repeat Boutique, 2727 S. Colorado Blvd. “But now people are far more apt to brag about what they bought and what a good deal they got, as opposed to having to hide it.”
And the consignment store’s clientele is expanding.
“I’ve noticed in the last two or three years we have seen a younger crowd,” says Simms, who has owned her store for 27 years. “We get teenage girls in at prom time from Ponderosa, Cherry Creek, Douglas County. Somehow, the younger clientele have come to view buying quality, used clothing as a cool thing to do.”
It’s a trend Jerilyn Berardi, owner of Babareeba Then & Now, a resale boutique in the Highland neighborhood, has noticed, too.
“I see more and more people who weren’t resale people before, but are becoming more open to it,” she says. “People are still looking to stay constantly updated with clothing and trends.”
Berardi says premium denim and anything the higher-end department stores are carrying are big sellers at her shop.
“Retail for some jeans now is $300, so $68 is definitely considered a bargain,” she says.
Babareeba store manager Kelly Elio agrees.
“I have noticed more people wanting to sell their stuff,” she says. “People are buying more resale to get things a little cheaper.”
Here are five ways to save while you shop.
Resale
- What it is: Gently used merchandise usually is bought outright from individual sellers and then resold.
- What you’ll find: On a recent visit to Babareeba, we found Calvin Klein, Laundry and Vivienne Tam dresses, Cynthia Steffe, Nanette Lepore and Diane von Furstenburg blouses and Rock & Republic, True Religion and Hudson jeans. All for less than $100.
- Check out: Babareeba Then & Now, 3629 W. 32nd Ave., Buffalo Exchange, 230 E. 13th Ave.
Consignment
- What it is: Store owners buy pieces on consignment and pay the seller a percentage (normally 40 percent to 60 percent) if the clothing is sold.
- What you’ll find: Designer labels at deep discounts, vintage jewelry and huge end-of-summer savings. A never-worn Nicole Miller dress — still with the $275 price tag on it — was marked at $59.99 at Repeat Boutique.
- Check out: Repeat Boutique, 2725 S. Colorado Blvd., Your Best Friend’s Closet, 2910 E. Sixth Ave., Twice As Haute, 600 Downing St., Celine’s Designer Resale Boutique, 15254 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
Swap party
- What it is: If your closet is bursting with clothes you never wear, organize a trade. Get friends together for a group swap or visit online swap parties — all you pay is postage.
- What you’ll find: Maybe you don’t fit into those slacks anymore, but a friend might. Be eco-conscious and find a whole new wardrobe by trading out what you’re already not wearing. Feel good about your recycling and thrift skills.
- Check out: Swapstyle.com has a large network of swappers trading clothes, accessories, shoes, maternity wear – even makeup. You could spend hours scrolling through all the offered-up items. Click here to find a how-to guide for a home party.
Thrift shops
- What it is: Think Goodwill, ARC or Salvation Army – stores run by nonprofits with merchandise donated or sometimes sold on consignment.
- What you’ll find: Get ready to hunt – you’ll likely need to do a lot of digging through a lot of racks, but great bargains can be found. We found a vintage orange and white striped dress on a recent ARC visit for $8.99.
- Check out: arcthrift.com, goodwill.org, salvationarmyusa.org
Rent it
- What it is: True fashion devotees who simply must have the latest “it” bag might opt to rent it to save money. For a monthly membership fee and weekly or monthly rental fee, that Louis Vuitton Special Edition bag can (sort of) be yours. A good idea if you attend a lot of events and love to rotate your accessories often.
- What you’ll find: Fendi pink patent tote ($66/week), Tom Ford sunglasses ($14/week) and Tiffany cuff bracelet ($33/week) at bagborroworsteal.com. Coach hobo bag ($34.95/month) and Burberry tote ($84.95/month) at frombagstoriches.com.
- Check out: bagborroworsteal.com, frombagstoriches.com
Visit Lesley’s Web site, denveralamode.com, for the latest on fashion, beauty and style in Denver and Colorado.
budget, clothing, consignment, fashion, style, swap party, thrift store
