So glad to see the rise of reuse clothing retailers that has taken place over the last 10 years– when I first moved to my city in the late ’80s, there were a few locally owned consignment stores for women, followed by some baby/child consignment stores that opened in adjacent suburbs, but that was all. Now the mix includes Plato’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange and Uptown Cheapskate stores, and though their selections (and staff) veer more toward teens and young adults, older ages shouldn’t pass them by. There are deals and “perfect finds” to be had, if you look throughout all the sections (i.e. don’t let all the ripped denim, midriff tops and numerous Size XS tags scare you away). Also, there are several online reuse clothing sites now, where you can order from a broad selection and have items shipped to your home, which definitely multiplies one’s options and is especially helpful for those who live in smaller communities that don’t have a lot of in-person options, and I’ll be reviewing some of those in the future.
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For now, I’m starting with the reuse clothing store that’s closest to my house, a go-to of mine for selling items as well as buying: Uptown Cheapskate (“UC”). The resale franchisee has more than 80 locations nationwide, and buys and sells current, on-trend men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, and other accessories. As my 20-something daughters slowly get rid of the clothing they still have stored at the house, it’s been a great place to sell some of their items, and UC has purchased some of my own items as well. As for buying, I’ve had more success than failure there, and the successes feel so good– I’m saving money (the prices are on average 70 percent lower than “new” retail), I’m supporting “shop local” by purchasing local sellers’ used clothing and helping local shoppers find reuse deals by selling my own items, and I’m helping the environment. (According to UC’s website, it takes 700 gallons of water to make just one cotton shirt, and each item reused and returned to the circular economy reduces the item’s carbon footprint by 82 percent. A National Geographic article says the fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world after oil and gas; other stats say it’s worse than oil and gas.)
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Here’s a run-down of what your experience at UC might be like, based on my experience:
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Selling: After a quick and easy sign-in process on a touch-screen, your items are looked over by staff (usually you have to wait at least a few minutes, as no appointment is necessary and the selling area is popular) and if they want any of your items, an offer is made on the spot, available in cash or store credit. I always opt for store credit because a.) it’s 25% higher than the cash offer b.) the money can go further when spent at a store like UC and c.) I know if I don’t find something that day, I and other family members will be back to buy. Store credit is kept on your account for three years. (In addition, consignment is offered as an option for designer items such as Chanel®, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, with the seller receiving 60% of the sales price if the item sells.)
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As the website states, make sure your clothes are in good condition and have no stains, missing buttons, etc. They don’t have to be ironed or steamed. You can bring them in whatever you’d like– reusable totes, laundry baskets, cardboard boxes, etc. While the website mentions certain brands they buy, it’s not definitive and varies by store. Browse the store first to see what brands and styles your location is currently accepting, or, if you have several items of a certain brand to sell and aren’t sure if they accept it, just ask the staff. I have found that what my location buys depends more on style and color trends than brand.
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If you have items that don’t sell, you may choose to either take them back or UC will donate them to the charities of their choice. At some stores, donation receipts are given.
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Buying: As mentioned previously, look around the whole store before writing it off as “not for you.” I usually manage to find great work-appropriate cardigans and blazers at my location, as well as shoes and workout wear. Come back again if you don’t find anything on the first visit, as the selection changes daily. For me, sometimes it’s a shopping “fail” but other times it is sweet shopping/reusing success. For example, recently over the 4th of July weekend, my goal was to find medium-blue denim shorts and light-blue skinny jeans, and I found both at UC in my size and preferred style (brands were Old Navy and Target’s Universal Thread) in excellent condition for around $20 total. The store credit I received for selling items that day took care of the tab, and still left me with $10 of future store credit. Success!!
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And what about the handbags/purses/clutches? That’s a big DO NOT MISS. If you’d like to have fun with fashion but don’t want to spend big bucks amassing different colors/styles of shoes and bags, on-trend second hand stores like UC is the way to go. Stop by frequently to see what’s new and you will snag some GREAT handbag finds, sometimes for less than $10. Note: at the location where I shop, high-end designer bags are kept behind glass near the front counters but the “regular” bags are located in the back of the store, so just a heads-up in case you encounter the same layout and think the designer bags are all they offer.
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Note that the store is not 100% used items. They do augment their used inventory with some brand new items such as jewelry, camisoles, and flip flops.
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What about the Men’s section? It, too, skews toward a younger age group but don’t let that stop you from looking if you’re over 40. My husband found some great, short-sleeved JoS. A. BANK shirts there recently that looked like they’d never been worn and they fit him great, each priced at less than $15 each.
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Decor: Industrial chic, with mannequins outfitted in stylish combinations of used clothing and accessories. My location arranges tops and dresses by color, making it an easier shopping experience than most non-reuse retailers. And yes, they have several private dressing rooms, all with full length mirrors.
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Main Takeaway: Worth checking out for all the reasons mentioned above. And worth getting on their e-mail and/or text alert lists, to know when they have sales. This is triple-win shopping, as you get a good deal paired with helping reduce waste and helping your community (and if you clean out your closet in the process, that’s a quadruple win 🙂 ).