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Green Fashion: The Art of Consignment

January 14, 2016

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Did you know that the average American throws away 68 pounds of clothing a year?

Yesterday I wrote about fast fashion’s adverse impact on the environment.  Aside from products being shipped around the globe from countries where labor and manufacturing are inexpensive, the rate in which people discard inexpensive, trendy pieces can have huge environmental ramifications.  In fact, an entire “green fashion” movement as been created to counteract trend-driven, “discard” fashion.  Earlier this year, I attended Value Village’s “Runway Reimagined” in which designers were challenged to redesign and style donated clothing.  Designers such a Stella McCartney and even retailers like H&M’s Conscious Collection focus on using reusable or recylced materials.  Eileen Fischer has even opened retail stores called Green Eileen, where you can sell or purchase gently used articles of her clothing.

I’m the first to admit that I love to follow trends.  However, keeping my wardrobe current and organized requires me to recycle items I’m no longer wearing.  Because many of the pieces I’m recylcing are in good condition (and because I need income to feed my shopping habit), I’m a big believer in consignment.

If you are local to Seattle, I highly recommend Take 2 Consignment in Capital Hill.  Take 2 accepts most labels, apparel must be in good condition, and items should be current within the last 2-3 seasons.  For designer items, I would recommend Sell Your Sole in Belltown.  Sell Your Sole is reserved for your higher-end, designer items (ranging from Vince to Chanel), in very good condition.  Both stores are your typical consignment model, where your items are placed on the sales floor for a length of time and when they sell you receive a portion of the proceeds.

For selling (or buying) online, I use Poshmark; an easy to use app that allows you to manage the sales process and, as a reward, net more of the sale proceeds.  However, this takes a bit more leg work than simply leaving clothes at a consigment store as you need to post the ad (with descriptions and pictures) and patiently wait for potential buyers.  Once you have a sale, it’s as easy as printing off a prepaid shipping label and packaging your item.

If you prefer to donate clothes rather than consign, I recommend Dress For Success, a non-profit organization that empowers women living in poverty by providing them with professional attire in an effort to secure employment. I also support the ethos of Value Village who resells and recycles used clothing, keeping more than 650 million pounds of used goods from the landfill each year.  As a note, any unsold items at Value Village are either recycled (to make new products) or sent to developing countries.

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I also love shopping at consignment stores.  In particular, I use consignment stores and online services when considering designer pieces that I ordinarily wouldn’t pay full price for.  Especially with high-end, designer consigment, retailers are very careful to maintain quality standards and verify authenticity.  For example, both the Isabel Marant cardigan and the Chloé boots pictured above were consignment store finds from Sell Your Sole.

In addition to shopping on Poshmark, I have also discovered Vestiaire Collective; an online marketplace for pre-owned luxury and designer fashion.  I’ve been eying the Isabel Marant ‘Dicker’ booties (pictured below) for some time, and the site keeps me updated when my size becomes available. Both Poshmark and Vestiaire allow you to negotiate price with sellers and, Vestiaire has rigorous quality control measures to assure authenticity prior to the item being shipped to the buyer.

A few rules to keep in mind when buying consignment:

  1. Do your research (know the item’s sizing, and what it retails for)
  2. Buy from a trusted retailer
  3. Consider shipping costs and any import taxes

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Have additional questions about consignment?  Any tips or tricks you may have that I didn’t note?  Please leave a comment!  As always, thanks for reading. ~Jenn

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Each day I’ve intended to post here. I greeted t Each day I’ve intended to post here. I greeted the new year feeling inspired with a renewed intention for my account; to share with you the goodies I love, wear, try. Unfiltered and honest. That’s what I’m here for. But then...2021 arrived feeling much like her older sister, 2020. Instead, I’ve avoided a lot of social media; choosing to tune into various news outlets and into my family. So, HERE WE ARE. A post proving that I got dressed yesterday, wearing some of my new favorites (these @flamingosshoes white boots!) and steady stand-bys (year 2 wearing this @notmondaymercantile beanie on repeat). I took the kids out after school to run a couple of errands and connect with a business I love to support; we made plans for a spring share. Man, it felt good to get out! And now, I’m posting early before I’ve read the morning news. So, it’s happened. 
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Please stay safe, remain respectful, and true to yourself. Social media is a beautiful way to connect, create, and inspire...but can also be a dangerous rabbit hole of misinformation and an opportunity for people to behave in a way they ordinarily wouldn’t in person. Off my soap box. Have a lovely Friday!#wordsfrommyheart #realoutfitgram #flamingosshoes #whiteboots #notmondaymoments
Happy New Year my dear friends! I’ve missed you Happy New Year my dear friends! I’ve missed you all but enjoyed a nice long break. Heading back home after some snow time and I’m feeling re-energized (for now). Isn’t it funny how a change in the calendar can make you feel different? Are you a “new year, new you” kinda gal or more indifferent? I do like a good reset. Even though we’ll be doing more of the same early this year, I’m feeling more optimistic. For now. Cheers to 2021!
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Also, posted in stories a nearly identical photo of us from last January at the top of @schweitzer_mountain. While the photos look the same, it’s fun to think that we now are Sandpoint homeowners! A positive outcome of 2020. #newyearonthemountain #snowbest #schweitzermountain #skifamily
Snow plus a Christmas sweater...I’m checking all Snow plus a Christmas sweater...I’m checking all the boxes this year. Thinking of everyone not able to spend time with loved ones this year. I’m so grateful for our little family but really missing my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, my in-laws.  Over a year seems far too long to be apart; but we all need to continue to be safe. It matters. #christmassweater #christmas2020 #staysafestayhome #vintagesweater
Let’s make merry! Although holiday traditions ma Let’s make merry! Although holiday traditions may look different this year; we have an opportunity to get creative and share in new experiences. Like the new-to-me homemade marshmallow recipe, @thekirstyfiles and I have the pleasure of bringing to you in partnership with @pacific_place. We encourage you to invite a few pals to a zoom date, pop a bottle of bubbly, and create these delicious confections together. I promise they’re relatively fool proof (I pulled them off!) AND a sugar-high afternoon spent with friends (even virtually) will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Tune in to Pacific Place’s IGTV or YouTube to see the full tutorial, including my gaff when my marshmallow began moving into the “hard ball” territory (note: this recipe does require a candy thermometer and the ability to read it!). Cheers to making the most out of holiday 2020! #homemademarshmallows #pacificplaceseattle #craftingtogether
Ooooh...how I love a good shopping day with a frie Ooooh...how I love a good shopping day with a friend. The belly laughs, chit chat, and groans (as we tried on a number of jeans) provided the escape from reality that I needed. Sometimes you don’t realize just how much you miss something until you get to enjoy it again!
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Other things I love? Soft luxury cashmere, designer denim that fits like a glove, and packable hats (yes, packable!). All can be found @willaseattle; a small, women-owned boutique located in the heart of the Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle. Be sure to check out our stories as @thekirstyfiles and I share holiday-perfect gifts for your sister, mother, girlfriends...yourself! Lucky for Kirsty and I, our husbands also know the lovely owner, Liz (and she has our wishlists on file)! 
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Also very near and dear to my heart, Willa is the epitome of shopping local. The shelves are stocked with unique, small business designs; including many Seattle businesses. When you shop local, you not only support your community but also curate a look all your own!
#shoplocalseattle #seattleboutique #seattlestyle #happytoshare
Continued chronicles of dressing stylishly for you Continued chronicles of dressing stylishly for yourself, aka #stayathomestyle. Sure, 2020 may be the year of the sweatpant (combined with a sleeping bag-like coat, as seen here). And yes, a mask chain is this year’s hottest accessory. BUT I still take care to actually get dressed each day. And while lipstick may no longer be a part of my daily routine (I mean, was it ever??), it’s still important to be pulled together..if only for my own mental health. And even if no one else sees it but the grocery clerk. #whatmamaworemonday #sweatpantsseason 
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PS. Did you know I usually tag everything that I’m wearing? It may not all be current, but DM me if you want more details.
A few days late but still so grateful. We’ve spe A few days late but still so grateful. We’ve spent a lot of quality time as a party of five, braved a few big changes, and (mostly) survived 2020. #dontjinxit #partyoffive #practicegratitude #seattlefamily 
photo: @chelseamacorphotography
On the eve of Black Friday sales bonanza, I hope t On the eve of Black Friday sales bonanza, I hope to inspire, remind, urge, and even beg you to ignore all of the crazy cyber sales that have been creeping into your inbox for the past week and instead SHOP SMALL this holiday season. Yes, perhaps it’s less convenient and even less of a “deal” but this pandemic is putting an even greater strain on the small and local businesses that are the absolute life blood of our communities. And, in addition to supporting an entrepreneur and neighbor, you’ll likely find more creative, individual, and unique gifts for your loved ones by shopping a small business.
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Are you in the Seattle area?  Hit me up with questions about my favorite local haunts and finds. I’ve got so many ideas to share; together we can help blow your holiday giving out of the water this year! #shopsmallthischristmas #supportsmallbusiness #shopsmallseattle #seattlestylist
This sweater is at the top of my wishlist! Come ch This sweater is at the top of my wishlist! Come check out @sskein.co knitwear for yourself and visit with designer @e_for_elisa tomorrow during a private trunk show at Emry Boutique in Madison Valley. Simply dm @shop.emry to schedule your visit (attendees are being staggered for safety). Not in Seattle? Check out Elisa’s amazingly cozy, baby alpaca designs online. These knits are the perfect gifts for your mom, sister, boyfriend...self. Because 2020. They deserve to be snuggled in luxury! (And so do you). #sskein #smallbatch #ethicalfashion #shopsmallseattle

welcome to my blog

Thanks for reading! I began this blog in early 2014 as an outlet to share my styling tips and tricks, and disseminate shopping wisdom. I am honored when readers make a connection; whether it’s learning how to make the latest fashion trend your own or finding the perfect new addition to your wardrobe. Thank you for stopping by and spending a few minutes of your day sharing in my passion for fashion and style! ~Jenn

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