Consignment Shops: Shopping for Clothes in Chicago on a Budget
Regardless of whether you want to update your wardrobe with some seasonal fashion-forward pieces, stock up some basic staples or simply pick out a signature designer apparel item; consignments shops can prove to be your best bet for getting high-end quality couture, ready-to-wear, sportswear or simply women’s, men’s and | or children’s retail clothes at more than reasonable prices.
And residents of Chicago, known for both their fiscal sensibility and style consciousness, like to look good without having to go broke in the process. To accommodate their savvy fashion sense -yet prudent spendthrift side, in recent years, consignment resale shops in the Windy City have been flourishing.
For those who are devotees of authentic labels, consignment shops in Chicago offer the full range of upscale designer apparel. The biggest challenge is staying abreast of those consignment shops known to have the best designer wardrobe clientele who on a seasonal basis make regular drop offs to the good fortune of a loyal following of consummate consignment consumers.
In case you are not familiar with how the consignment process works, at these types of shops individuals are encouraged to bring in their premium quality apparel and accessories, i.e., handbags, shoes, scarves and jewelry (in the best condition, of course, that means dry cleaned, pressed and of a desirable style) – for the purpose of having it put for sale. Once the merchandise has sold, the original owner receives a commission (typically between 40 and 60 percent) of the original purchase price. In essence, the owner of the consignment shop acts as a broker, bringing in customers, marketing the items and facilitating the transaction.
All in all consignment shops are a very good way to dispense of items you no longer wear or for which you no longer have a need while at the same taking in a bit of cash for your goods. Quite notably, the consignment | resale business is one of the swiftest growing segments of the retail industry with more than 15,000 resale shops presently in operation around the country, each generating, on average, between half a million to one million dollars a year in profits.
Within the second city to which Chicago is often referred, there is a great of affluence and as such a good number of persons regularly purchase retail items at full price and then look for ways to recoup some of their money once they have gotten their fill of such ‘trendy’ items. For this and a number of other reasons, the consignments shops within the city of Chicago are filled with wonderful deals both in terms of original designer wear as well as simple basic functional pieces to complement your existing wardrobe.
Depending on where you shop, the range of mid-priced to luxury designer labels which one can expect to find, some more easily than others, includes: Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Betsey Johnson, Chanel, Diesel, Donna Karan, Escada, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Missoni, Prada (clothing, handbags and shoes), Ralph Lauren, Seven, St. John, Tods (shoes and handbags), Vera Wang (bridal gowns).
With a realm of consignment shops from which to browse and buy, Chicagoans and visitors to the Windy City can be stylish without having to file for Chapter 11. From prices in the single dollar range to upward of hundreds, consignment shop bargains are still bargains when compared to retail store pries.
The top five consignment shops within the city by the lake include:
Cynthia’s Consignments -Lincoln Park
Cynthia’s Consignment is ideal for those, confessed devotees of fashion, are a bit more contemporary in their preferences. Inside the small, unsuspecting shop, lies color-organized clothing including: sleeveless, short-sleeve and long-sleeved tops; skirts and pants to dresses. Along the racks, shoppers are likely to find both casual and formal pieces by such forward-thinking designers as: Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Missoni and Roberto Cavalli, as well as, Donna Karan, Nicole Miller and Prada.
Yet, what Cynthia’s may be best known for is their blissfully broad array of bridal wear inclusive of: slightly worn gowns (not more than two years old), headdresses, veils, shoes and jewelry. From size 2 to 12, Cynthia’s bridal gown average around the $800.00 mark, but when you consider that you are purchasing an original Vera Wang gown that may seem like pennies in comparison with first-hand prices. 2218 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, Il 60614 – 773.248.7714
The Daisy Shop – Gold Coast
The Daisy Shop where “designer couture can be found at wholesales prices” is located on Chicago’s ritzy Oak Street alongside such high-end designer boutiques as: Prada, Tods, Pratesi and Jil Sander. As one would expect the merchandise here meets the residential environment that of wealth and designer savvy dedication. Great finds await the shopper who is willing to spend a bit more for classics the likes of: Burberry Chanel, Feraud, Ferragamo, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent originals.
The shop has an incredible selection of classics and vintage prices intermixed with more contemporary, modern items. A great place to pick-up a tweed jacket or find 50’s glam styles, the Daisy Shop is known for its first-rate selection, as well as, its estate jewelry collection. 67 East Oak Street, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 – 312.943.8880
Designer Resale of Chicago – Gold Coast
Located four blocks west of the Magnificent Mile, Designer Resale in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, is rich with ‘old money’ discarded apparel. Ladies who lunch can stop by for a quick look around and leave with armfuls of pieces from such designers as: Escada, Yves St. Laurent, St. John and a bunch from the Galliano | Halston-period. While this shop may be more appropriate for 30+ age set; quality finds can be unearthed if one has the patience to look hard through the racks where some stylish treasures may be discovered. 658 North Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60610 – 312.587.3312
Disgraceland -Lakeview
Located in Chicago’s Lakeview area, the low-key resale consignment shop is a good bet for those seeking casual, contemporary daywear from such brand names as: Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Diesel, the Gap, J. Crew, Land’s End, Levi’s, Limited and Old Navy. Consignors appreciate the partial upfront payment they receive upon dropping off items and, thus, are inclined to keep coming back each season with new quality merchandise. The store’s racks are neatly aligned with clothing, which priced within the $8-$15 range, is at most several years old. Upstairs, the main floor represents mainly women’s clothing while downstairs houses men’s and additional women’s apparel.
In addition the store also has such accessories as jewelry, shoes, belts, scarves and some handbags available for sale. And indication of the laid-back nature of the store’s average customer, above all else, the bulk of Disgraceland’s business seems to come in the way of t-shirt purchases. 3338 North Clark, Chicago, IL 60657 -773.281.5875
McShane’s Exchange – Lincoln Park
Proprietor Denise McShane, who has been in business for over 17 years, now has more than 800 consigners and two McShane’s Exchange locations. Considered a high-end consignment boutique, she first attracted attention when it become public knowledge that she was offering up Oprah Winfrey’s old hand-me-downs.
Perhaps on account of owner Denise McShane’s personal touch, constant presence, and continual encouragement to bring goods in for appraisal, McShane’s is often cited as one of the city’s most beloved consignment shops. Within its brownstone exterior confines (original Armitage location), a well-rounded selection of everything from American and European designer lines to ready-to-wear exist. The shop also features an extensive selection of authentic designer, as well as, look-a-like, handbags, sunglasses, wallets and shoes. Operating according to the motto, “someone else’s designer wardrobe is still new to you”, McShane’s, known for their color tag system by which items are marked down at different percentages based upon whether their tag is green, blue, yellow or red; also houses a seriously reduced mark-down area where items are up to 75 percent off their original ‘resale’ price. 815 W Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614 – 773.525.0282
And worth mentioning on account of the little ones –
Once Upon a Child –
Once Upon a child with more than 205 franchised stores throughout North America and 12 locations in Illinois, one at 5316 North Milwaukee on Chicago’s far northwest side and the others in suburban areas including: Naperville, Downers Grove, Bollingbrook, Orland Park, West Dundee and Round Lake Beach, is ideal for persons awaiting the birth of their first child or expecting their 14th. Obviously, the concept of buying and selling gently used and new children’s clothing, toys, furniture and play equipment holds tremendous appeal.
Because nothing breaks the bank more than having one child than having multiple, a consignment shop, with multiple convenient locations, where you can buy second-hand clothing in all sizes from newborn to teenager, furniture the likes of cribs and dressers and such accessories as: dry-cleaned blankets and bibs – proves to be a welcome respite to the thought of having to buy everything for your baby at retail prices.
And as children grow faster than weeds in a sweltering landfill, you can benefit from a resource that makes it palatable to buy your children multiple, adorable outfits that will please them as will as your finances. 5316 North Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60630 -773.594.1705
Life in the quintessential Midwest city requires a suitable wardrobe, so without a trust fund on which to draw, in order to adequately look the part of a well-to-do Chicagoan, a top priority should be to check out some of the city’s aforementioned top consignment shops.
