Frequently Asked Questions
Consigning
What is designer clothing consignment and how does it work?
Consignment is a service where the shop sells your apparel and accessories on your behalf. Unlike thrift or resale shops that buy items from you upfront, a consignment shop only pays you once the item has actually sold. It offers the seller a higher potential payout and the buyer quality they can trust.
How the process works:
- Selection & submission: Make an appointment and bring your items in to be looked at.
- Pricing: We set a price based on the brand’s current market value, the item’s condition, and its original retail price.
- The consignment period: Your items are displayed in-store and online for 90 days.
- The sale: When a customer buys your item, we process the payment and handle the customer service.
- Payout: You receive a percentage of the final sale price. If the item doesn’t sell within the period, it may be donated.
The split:
- Clothing & accessories: 40% to you
- Top designer handbags & shoes (Coach, Tory Burch, Kate Spade): 50% to you
- High-end designer handbags & shoes (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci): 60% to you
Requirements: Items must be clean (laundered or dry-cleaned, free of odors such as perfume or smoke) and free of stains, holes, pilling, or significant wear. Please bring all items pressed or steamed on hangers (your hangers will be returned to you). See our consignment policies.
How is consignment different from selling to a resale store?
The difference lies in when you get paid and who owns the item while it’s for sale. A resale store buys your items on the spot. With consignment, the store acts as a middleman, and you aren’t paid until a customer buys the item.
Why should I consign instead of selling online myself?
It’s a trade-off between time and profit. Selling on eBay or Poshmark lets you keep more of the sale, but it means running a mini business. Consigning lets you drop off your items and wait for a check.
- Expertise: We know what pieces are currently selling for, so nothing is under- or over-priced.
- Time savings: No photos, listings, buyer messages, packing or trips to the post office.
- Exposure: Your pieces are steamed, merchandised and shown to shoppers in the boutique, online and in our live shows.
- Safety: No chargeback scams, no returns of worn items, and no meeting strangers from the internet.
Timing & payouts
How long do items stay on consignment?
The consignment period is 90 days. Because fashion is seasonal, we keep our inventory fresh and relevant to the current weather and trends. Items may be marked down to help them sell before the period ends:
- Days 1–30: full price
- Days 31–60: often discounted 20% to 25%
- Days 61–90: a final markdown of 50% to 60%
- Day 91+: the consignment period ends
What happens if it doesn’t sell?
Pick-up: Items priced over $50 can be picked up within 7 days of the end of the period.
Donation: Anything not picked up, and anything priced under $50, is donated to a local charity.
Pro tip: set a reminder in your calendar for one week before your consignment period ends. We will not call you to tell you your time is up.
When and how do I get paid?
Payouts are made the first week of every month (the 1st to the 8th) by check, with a $20 minimum, or as store credit on request. Checks are picked up in store and must be cashed within 180 days. You can check your balance any time in your consignor account.
Shopping
What are your hours?
Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed on Sunday.
Can I shop online?
Yes. Shop our online store and choose shipping or pick-up at the boutique.