Lil' How To Guide

Hey everyone. So today I am just going to get down to the basics on selling your clothes so that going forth, whenever I reference selling, clothes, secondhand, etc, everyone knows what's going on. This is a little bit of the harsh truth when it comes to selling your gently used clothing, but it is necessary information if you want to flip your wardrobe; it's definitely a long process, but worth it if you want good quality items that will make your wardrobe look timeless. Before I go on though, I'll just share my experience with selling first, so that you can see that it takes practice and patience.

When I first started selling my clothes to secondhand stores, I knew the basics. I knew that I could bring in items that were in good condition, somewhat "trendy", and without any marks or stains. I quickly learned that there is far more that goes into getting money for your clothes than one might think. I know that not everyone reading this will have the same secondhand store in their area, but I'm going to make an educated guess and say that MOST secondhand stores that give you physical chedda' for your items, have these standards. Each secondhand store wants to "buy" in items that emulate the CURRENT style trends that are going on in this lovely world. Once again, CURRENT, as in like, this year, 2016 (or in whatever year you're reading this). However, after repeatedly bringing in clothes on multiple occasions, I started getting frustrated that the buyer would not take everything I assumed they would (like HELLO didn't they know I wanted to buy new clothes with that money!!???). I always wondered too, that with the items they DID take, why was I was getting so little back. Side note: when you go into stores like these, they always have a certain percentage for actual cash back, or you can take a higher percentage back in a store credit card. ALWAYS take the store credit, you did not have that cash in your pocket already anyway, and I know you need new jeans to replace the ones you're wearing now that you've had for the last 2 years..and counting. Do yourself a favor.

Before I go on, I just want to point out that I don't want anyone to be offended by this advice, I'm just tellin' ya what I personally know goes into buying, and what I have personally experienced. So anywho, after selling for a couple of years now, I realized I was going to get the bare minimum back if I kept bringing in Forever 21 tops, and items similar, to sell. Each secondhand store does price their items based on "tiers." This means that a Forever 21, or H&M blouse (tier 1) is obviously not going to be priced the same as an Anthropologie or Theory blouse (tier 3). How was I going to buy those higher priced tops to even sell though? Answer: by taking the STORE CREDIT card that each store gives you the option of taking. At first I was like, wait, I don't want used items. However, in my situation at least, I quickly figured out that it is useless to buy items retail price from those first tier stores (Forever 21, H&M, etc), when I could find my favorite, way more expensive, brands like Free People, Treasure and Bond, Rag and Bone, etc at these secondhand stores for the SAME price (or similar) as what a first tier item would cost at retail price in the store. I mean, as time goes on of course, I end up selling these items (and you're going to too), and guess what, I get way more bang for my buck than when I was selling back those first tier items. Ahhhh finally, money to spend on cool thangs. Also, for men, I realize I haven't really mentioned any specific stores for you, but you get the picture. If anyone would like a list of Tier 1- Tier 4 brands though, hit a sista' up.

Anyways, I would like to mention that I am in-love with the fact that everyone has their own style, I respect that. However, in the case of selling your clothes back, it will not help your wallet, or wardrobe, to get offended when secondhand stores do not take your clothing, trust me, and don't give up!

So lastly, just for reference if you decide to embark on this selling adventure, I just want to mention a couple BASIC key trends that ARE and are NOT happening currently. Lets start with jeans first, because everyone has those. Please don't sell those boot cut jeans you have, or those old "jeggings" that were super popular back in 2010. As far as jeans go though, do sell your exaggerated bell bottoms, skinny leg jeans, "boyfriend" AND "girlfriend" jeans, distressed denim, and those CURRENT corduroy pants. YES, I said corduroy. Come winter 2016, you'll see what I mean. Popular men's jeans will just, as usual, be a slimmer fit leg: say adios to mens' skinny jeans boys, please. As far as T-shirt material pieces go (cotton, rayon, modal, etc), boy or girl, they do not change by a super noticeable amount. What does change though, is the cut of them. Some silhouettes that are tending right now for men are crew neck, thats literally it, see ya later v-necks. Same goes for women, basic v-necks are a thing of the past. However, DEEP v-necks are still here to stay. I realize those deep V's are not ideal for every person of every age of every body type. Luckily, that crew neck style is also trending for women as well. Yay! (love crew neck T's) Supa' cute. We've all seen those lace-up t-shirts too, so those are still super popular and are being styled into literally every area of clothing, but now we're getting a little too specific. So, back to the basics now. As far as blouses, some great pieces to bring to your local secondhand shop would be those with no extra pleats, darts, or wild colors. Lets keep it simple. Some basic fabric faves right now are cotton, rayon, and silk. I would personally steer clear of chiffon blouses to sell. I mean, you can try, but don't bank on those getting you a significant amount of cash or store trade. I'm sorry chiffon, but you're a fabric of the past. Motto of the year when it comes to selling: the more minimal, the better.

Yay for clothes!

Here's Linda & I sporting some basic monochromatic looks!