The Resale Movement

When it comes to making money on your wardrobe there is a lot to consider. Selling on your own can be overwhelming and there’s nothing worse than a mounting collection of outfits past that never see the light of day. As experts in the industry we are here to share our basic tips and tricks for capitalizing on your closet. We're giving you everything from a breakdown of the consignment process to insight on how to turn your purchases into smart investments. To do so we are answering the following questions:

  1. What is consignment and how does it work?
  2. Why is consigning easier than selling on your own?
  3. How to capitalize on your closet:  When to invest and when to go for cheaper?
  4. What are the sustainability benefits of consignment? 
  5. What are the community benefits of consignment?

What is consigment and how does it work?

Consignment is the process of selling your items through a third party. While many consignment stores require appointments and set limits on how much you can bring in at a time, at Revolve Boutiques you drop off what you want, when you want. We accept in-season, on trend better label and designer brands from within the last one to two years. Your items are evaluated and priced by a trained buyer. We market them for 60 days to our network of clients across our social media, website and multiple storefronts. When your items sell, you receive 40%-50% of the selling price.  You can use your earnings to shop or you can collect a check. To learn more about our consignment process click here.

Why is consigning easier than selling on your own?

It’s no secret that there are several online options that allow you to be your own reseller. Although this works for some people, we don’t all have the time to be our own product photographers, customer liaisons, and shipping experts. Moreover,  the art of finding the right resale price for each item often requires industry knowledge and market research.  By selling with an established consignment store, you are giving the grunt work to someone else. The convenience factor is a major plus but turn over rate is also worth mentioning . It can be tough to cut through the noise of a flooded platform like Poshmark. Your items can sit there for months with no traction. At Revolve Boutiques, we have an ever growing network of real people who shop with us everyday. This means your items get real visibility and sell fast.

How to capitalize on your closet:  When to invest and when to go for cheaper?

The way you shop has a large impact on your wardrobe’s earning potential. Deciding when to splurge and when to opt for a cheaper alternative can be confusing. While everyone’s style is different, capsule pieces like jackets, blazers, denim and quality underlayers are typically a worthy investment. Prioritizing quality lengthens your resale window, as classic styles and brands tend to hold their value for multiple seasons. Luxury accessories and fine jewelry can even appreciate in value overtime. Alternatively, when you’re looking to hop on board with a current trend, cheaper is the way to go. Trends are ever changing and rarely last multiple seasons. Jump on the bandwagon with something more affordable, wear it a few times, and sell the same season to capitalize on your return. 

What are the sustainability benefits of consignment? 

Modern day fashion is incredibly harmful for the environment. Increased consumption and fast fashion models have skyrocketed pollution and resulted in mounting landfill waste. According to an article by Business Insider, nearly 85% of textiles find their way into landfills each year. The source also notes that the production of cheap fabrics like polyester releases more than double the carbon emissions associated with the production of cotton and introduces harmful microplastics into our oceans. By shopping secondhand and consigning your own pieces, you are supporting a more circular system, lengthening the life cycle of quality garments, and helping to transform the industry. Check out this article by Vogue to learn more.

What are the community benefits of consignment?

Not only is consignment a more sustainable alternative but it also contributes positively to the community. Consignment shops typically market items at a fraction of their original retail value. This makes quality fashion more affordable and accessible to a wider base. In addition, locally owned boutiques like ours provide their community with the option to shop small. Shopping small stimulates the neighborhood economy and creates more local jobs. To learn more about the benefits of supporting local business, check out this study by University of Alabama.