Tired of gasping at price tags when you find a blouse or piece of jewelry you admire? It’s true that many high-end labels are expensive, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be in your closet. With a little luck, you can score a great piece at one of the many luxury resale and consignment stores around the country with a focus on Western wear.
The Resale Secret in Hudson Oaks, Texas, is a Western high-end resale boutique catering to men and women of all ages. The store offers new and gently used clothing, handbags, shoes, Western boots, and an astonishing collection of necklaces, earrings, cuffs, and other jewelry. And not just any jewelry—a huge portion is authentic Native American jewelry adorned with blue turquoise, white buffalo turquoise, Navajo pearls, and other stones.
Boutique owner Kim Warder opened The Resale Secret nine years ago. Her merchandise caters to the avid horse community in the Fort Worth and Weatherford areas—her store is smack dab in the middle of both cities—and has a strong social media presence. Her passion for fashion and turquoise jewelry keeps her racks and cases full of quality merchandise at a price point customers can afford.
“I’ve always had a desire to be an entrepreneur,” says Warder. “My father once said, ‘Pick something you love and find a way to make money at it.’ I truly enjoy sharing my love for fashion and turquoise jewelry with women to make them feel beautiful.”
She says a high-end look doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, offering budget-friendly apparel is the backbone of her business. People bring in lightly worn clothing, shoes, and boots either to cash out or receive store credit.
It’s up to Warder to make sure the clothes are inspected, still in style, and—if accepted for purchase—priced to make sense for her business and her customers.
Shopping secondhand has several benefits. For one, it’s a sustainable way to build your wardrobe. Most clothes have many years of wear left in them, especially if purchased from a consignment store. Plus, you’ll spend less and be shopping locally, which is a win-win.
Before you hit your local luxury resale or consignment store, follow these do’s and don’ts to make sure you score a hot outfit at an amazing deal.
DO: Shop from a retailer that authenticates apparel and jewelry.
A reputable secondhand store will closely inspect clothes, shoes, and jewelry to make sure brands and maker’s marks are authentic. Ask about their inspection and acceptance process.
For example, Warder examines each piece of jewelry that comes into her store. The time she invests ensuring her items are authentic builds trust and confidence from her buyers.
There are plenty of knockoffs in the market, but a store familiar with real-deal labels will know how to spot fakes.
DON’T: Judge an item by what it looks like on the hanger.
So many clothes don’t embody their full potential hanging on a mannequin or hanger. If you see a style or print you admire, try it on! This is also a great way to find (or rediscover) trends that fit your body and style.
In addition, sizes of high-end labels tend to differ from clothes at major retailers and box stores. Vintage pieces often run two to four sizes smaller than present-day brands. Before dismissing a piece of clothing on the size listed on the label, hit the dressing room and find out for yourself.
DO: Look for high-quality brands and materials.
Familiarize yourself with brands and materials before you go shopping, including what they cost at full retail price. And keep in mind, a t-shirt from Walmart will not hold up years from now the same way a shirt from Double D will.
Warder says materials such as wool, silk, linen, leather, and cashmere are sought after for their quality and feel. They tend to be a little pricier, but for good reason.
DON’T: Shy away from unfamiliar brands.
This tip is not in contradiction to the previous suggestion: While it’s wise to keep an eye out for brand-named clothing, there are tons of vintage and lesser-known boutique brands that rep the same quality.
In the end, feel the clothes, look for prints and styles that speak to you, and go with your gut.
Ask questions and check return policies.
A store’s customer service reflects the quality of merchandise they offer, says Warder.
“Our customer service is the most important part of our boutique,” she says. “We strive to make each customer feel they are part of our TRS tribe and family. When you walk in the door, we offer an experience and are here to answer any questions you have about clothes, jewelry and fashion.”
She says before you swipe your credit card at a resale store, ask about the return policy. Many stores and boutiques don’t offer refunds, but they will offer in-store credit. This can help your decision to buy, especially if there’s a piece you’re on the fence about or you’re shopping online.
DON’T: Be discouraged if you don’t find anything.
Shopping secondhand can require patience and stamina. You may find several items on your first shopping spree; other times you may walk out empty-handed. But the good news is that resale stores are constantly updating inventory as customers bring in clothing to sell.
You know what’s better than looking and feeling good in an outfit? Knowing you saved a ton of money on it that you can save—or spend on more clothes!
| Types of Secondhand Shops There are several ways to shop secondhand, and it’s important to know the difference. A thrift store, such as Goodwill or Salvation Army, accepts all clothing donations. Not everything makes it to the store floor, and you will likely have to do some digging to find quality items. A consignment store accepts apparel from people who bring in items. The person retains full ownership of the piece until it is sold, and that amount is divided between the store and the consignor. Resale shops and boutiques buy items from individuals. Sometimes the store will offer store credit, usually at a higher amount than what they’d offer in cash. These stores have a high level of quality control and sometimes offer new merchandise. Finally, there are several online apps that cater to secondhand items, such as Poshmark and thredUP. These apps offer buyers a wider selection than they could hope to shop for locally, but at a bit of a higher risk. Buyers can shop from individuals and/or stores through photos and descriptions, but without seeing items in person, shoppers need to be cautious and well-informed on what they’re purchasing. |
This article about resale shopping dos and don’ts appeared in the August 2023 issue of Western Life Today magazine. Click here to subscribe!
