Staying stylish on a budget can sometimes mean elbowing other customers at sample sales and scouring overloaded clothing racks during sales. My preferred method for fashion bargain hunting is via consignment stores. Consignment stores are thrift store equivalents, but they differ in that they offer up cash to the original owners for items sold. My senior prom dress was purchased at a vintage consignment store in Columbus, Ohio. You could say I’m a consignment connoisseur.
Having started a new job, I needed some new digs. And because I was in that awkward phase where you’ve started working, but haven’t gotten paid yet, I needed clothes on the cheap. So, I took a tour of Northwest Chicagoland in search of a great consignment destination.
Second Time Around, Evanston
Second Time Around has several locations around the country and four in the Chicago area. I stopped in the Evanston location. It was small and classy, brimming with ridiculously-reduced designer items. As with many high-end consignment stores, the selection and the range of sizes was limited.
Unique Thrift Store, Chicagoland
Unique has eight locations around Chicago. I went to the Western Avenue location. Unique is very similar to Goodwill–spacious, less fancy and boasting a very sizable selection. There are racks on top (literally) of other racks, so it helps to be a bit nimble in navigating the aisles. They carry off-brand and name- brand clothes. I purchased a Gap sweater and a Talbots sweater for under $10. Most items are priced in the range of $4-$6.
My Sister’s Closet, Lincolnwood
My Sister’s Closet is spread out–no elbowing necessary! In fact, it spans two store fronts. This was a bit misleading, however, as there was less merchandise than expected. The selections were mid-range–Gap, Old Navy and Target.
Forget Me Knot, Park Ridge
Forget Me Knot is a tiny boutique in Park Ridge, with two rooms (the back room is about the size of a closet!). The store carries designer items, including Versace and Dior. They also had some plus size selections (but very limited).
Euphoria Resale Boutique, Edgewater
Euphoria was my favorite stop on my tour. Though smaller than Unique Thrift Store, I found the selection at Euphoria to be varied, from St. John to Banana Republic to Target. They also had the most clothing in all sizes (including plus). The prices are bit steeper than I am used to for consignment shopping (between $15-$35), but was worth the trip. The have a companion store with antiques on the corner.
Consignment shopping is not devoid of the necessary tips and tricks of other bargain hunting: there won’t be everything in your size; if you like it, don’t wait because it might not be there tomorrow, etc. But I find the experience of consignment shopping, especially in the stores I found above, to be much more enjoyable than getting an elbow in the ribs over Manolo Blahniks.
