Appearance, as we’ve discussed, is one of the pillars of executive presence; we say that it is the least important pillar, but, it is your price of entry. Part of dressing professionally and appropriately often involves owning good-quality garments that fit you correctly and will hopefully last at least a few seasons. We do understand that often it can be hard to own a wardrobe full of suits from Armani or separates from Holt Renfrew, however there is a way around buying great-quality, professional pieces that can cost an arm and a leg: consignment stores.
Consignment stores are often overlooked when considering your next purchase; there aren’t that many around and they are typically eclipsed by bigger brands and department stores, such as Barneys New York, Sake Fifth Avenue and Macy’s. However, they can truly be an extraordinary opportunity to get your hands on a two-piece Chanel suit, for a fraction of the price. We know that you don’t necessarily want an DKNY suit that looks worn out or overused even though it boasts an impressive price tag; the best consignment stores take in only very gently used items that look, in fact, brand new. They will typically also guarantee 100% authenticity, so you can rest assured you’re buying the real thing. In addition to the financial savings you will encounter, shopping at consignment stores is also good for the psyche; it is an extremely environmentally friendly way to shop.
What Consignment Store Should I Go To?
It is imperative that you do your research before you venture off into the great unknown, and possibly spend many wasted hours hunting down a “great” bargain. Many consignment stores feature all or most of their best pieces on their website. It is always a good idea to search for consignment stores nearest you and take a look at what they have in stock, so as to avoid potential disappointment – and a wasted afternoon.
Shopping Green
Not only do you face saving a substantial amount of money on a gorgeous Marni dress, but consignment store shopping is great for the environment as well. Too often we fall prey to fast fashion, where we continuously buy cheap items of clothing that don’t last long and we subsequently end up forming a new wardrobe every four months; buying second-hand is a great way to “recycle” clothing.
The benefit of shopping at consignment stores is two-fold; firstly, it offers the opportunity to own exquisite luxury brand goods for a fraction of the price. Secondly, it is a “green” way of shopping – buying second-hand goods has a positive impact not only on your wallet, but on the environment as well. We will discuss the perils of fast fashion in next week’s blog.
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