Many years ago I wrote a paper in college about how everyone has a “uniform” in the sense that you can tell what a person does for a living or what kind of lifestyle a person leads by the clothes they wear. It’s easy to tell if someone is a police officer, fireman, UPS or FedEx delivery man since they have a very distinct uniform. Think about this for a moment – You can tell a librarian from a prostitute by their uniform too. While there isn’t a conventional “uniform” for these professions you certainly can tell one from the other, and you can tell someone who prefers the Librarian look over the Lady of the Night look.
As I was working in the shop the other day a customer came in and spoke of how her “uniform” is pencil skirts and structured pieces. I was thrilled to hear someone else mimic my sentiments on how everyone chooses their fashion style or uniform thru the clothes they wear. She told me that she loves shopping at consignment shops because you can often find your “uniform” at one of these places easier than you can at a traditional department store or mall store. This is because those places carry items that are trending right now. If Bohemian chic is the trend of the moment then that is what you’ll find at most mall stores. But what if Bohemian isn’t your “uniform” of choice? A consignment shop, like Designer Consignment Fresh Threads in south Tampa, carries a variety of styles and silhouettes that might not be readily available at the mall and department stores.
You’ll find many different styles and silhouettes there – from classic to contemporary. There are so many different fashion choices to browse through that you’re sure to find something that fits your style and aesthetic. Consignment shops are a great way to get your staple pieces like denim or little black dresses. Shopping there will also help you add to your trendy pieces without breaking the bank. Trendy pieces aren’t meant to last in the fashion scene very long like classic pieces are, but if you love to keep on trend you can do it at a fraction of the cost if you shop consignment. Prices tend to be 50-80% off regular retail prices.
Consignment shops are also a great way to get quality brand name items at a fraction of the cost. Sometimes it’s true that you get what you pay for. When you buy cheap clothing at a throw away store like Forever 21, you don’t expect those items to last. When you pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for a handbag or shoes you expect those items to stand the test of time. A consignment store like Fresh Threads carries quality items at a fraction of the original retail price that will stand the test of time. A good consignment boutique like Fresh Threads only carries “gently loved” items that don’t show many signs of wear or use from the previous owner. Many items that come in still have the tags on them. The items may be “last season” but in Florida there isn’t much change from season to season so we can still wear sundresses in the fall even if they were at their peak in the summer.
Whatever your uniform of choice – whether you be a Jackie O or a Marilyn, Boho chic or Wall Street Exec, you can find your perfect pieces at a consignment shop like Fresh Threads. If you’re in the South Tampa area, please stop by and see me. I’d love to hear all about your personal style and help you find an outfit that makes you feel like a star.
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