Consignment Shopping Tips for Designer Deals

Within the past year, shopping at consignment stores has been one of my best kept secrets for finding high quality, designer, and affordable clothes and accessories. I love visiting unique shops around Seattle and Portland to find affordable treasures from Miu Miu, Christian Louboutin, or Diane Von Furstenburg. If you think finding DVF on sale at Nordstrom is a rush, imagine the feeling of finding a brand new DVF blouse for $45! I know, my heart is racing too. As a blogger with Chanel taste on a 24 year old budget, I’m sharing my best consignment shopping tips for getting designer items at a discount.

1. Do Your Research

There are so many different consignment stores and each have different specialities. Do some research before you plan your trip to ensure you’re visiting consignment stores best for you. Check out websites, social media accounts, and customer reviews to see what sizes, brands, and prices they carry.

2. Follow on Social Media

I follow my favorite consignment shops on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and subscribe to email newsletters. Following consignment stores will give you the first peek at what comes into the shop so you can be the first one to grab the Acne Studios bomber jacket that just dropped.

3. Take Your Time

When consignment shopping, take your time. Consignment shopping is all about looking carefully through racks and shelves to find the treasures. Save your power shopping for the department stores.

4. Keep an Open Mind

At consignment shops, you never know what you’re going to find. Don’t visit consignment stores looking for a specific item.  Keep an open mind when you’re shopping and be willing to try on items that are different or out of your comfort zone.

5. Build a Relationship

The best of all my consignment shopping tips is to the build a relationship with the store owner. I am close friends with Tamara Young, the owner of Consign Couture, and she lets me know when items that I might like come into her store. Getting to know the owner and being a good customer will give you first dibs on all the good stuff :)

I love consignment shopping and really encourage you to try it out! You will ultimately end up saving money on high quality pieces while also supporting local businesses and building relationships.

What are your best consignment shopping tips? Comment below!