Consignment, Thrift Stores Overflowing With Fabulous Finds

03.12.09
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
“Nice outfit,” is a compliment, but “You look terrific” means so much more, believes image consultant Louise Kahle.
“That means the outfit makes you look fabulous. And when you look good, you feel good. But you don’t need to spend a lot of money,” Kahle said.
As she scans through the color- and size-coordinated racks of CJ’s Closet, a Maumee consignment shop, Kahle pulls out an $11.00 silk blouse, a $15.00 cashmere sweater, an $8.00 jean jacket and a $19.00 leather jacket – to demonstrate how to coordinate the tops with accessories and a simple black skirt or dress to create infinite outfits.
Whether looking for bank-conservative or casual funky, area thrift and consignment stores are a treasure trove, she said.
Before shopping, Kahle recommends identifying which colors, silhouettes and accessories best complement your skin tone and shape.
“We may want every color in the rainbow, but some,” she said, holding up a lime green to her face, “do not look good on us.”
While the fashion industry may recommend baby doll tops and bared midriffs, it’s not appropriate for everyone, especially those over 50, she said.
Before buying even a $1.00 blouse, shoppers should know ask: Do I have something to wear this with? Does it make me look terrific? And does it really fit?
Kahle asks her clients the same questions during closet consultations designed to maximize existing clothing while getting rid of the rest. Women tend to only wear 20 percent of their clothes, she said, while the rest are “fat, skinny, guilt and nostalgia clothes,” plus shopping mistakes. Once she purges items, Kahle works with clients to mix and match.
“We tend to think ‘this goes with this’ and then wear the same two things together all the time,” she said. “We lack the confidence to mix things up.”
Black and white basics, mixed with jackets, accessories and scarves are a simple way to expand the number of outfits, said Kahle. Area thrift and consignment shops are loaded with both winter closeouts and spring arrivals.
CJ’s Closet owner Connie Peiffer, T’s Boutique manager Pauline Griffin and volunteers at the Clothing Closet in Whitehouse all report an increase in the number of donations – and shoppers – in the past several months.
Hope United Methodist Church volunteers who sort and price items said the Clothing Closet donation room is filled almost every week. The best selection – including children’s, men’s and women’s clothes with brand names such as the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Izod – end up on the racks, priced under $5.00.
“People who go to department stores are astounded at the prices,” said Clothing Closet co-coordinator Doris Shepherd. “Then they come here and are pleasantly surprised.”
T’s Boutique customers often stop by after a trip to the mall, Griffin said, and are pleased with the prices and the variety of styles in the McCord Road store.
“You pay a third of what you pay at the mall,” Griffin said of the gently used clothing. “And, you have a bigger selection because clients bring in a variety of styles.”
She points to a plus-size $30.00 Laura Ashley dress for spring that has its original $74.99 price tag.
“In the past few years, we’ve gotten more new clothes. People buy stuff and say, ‘I’m going to get into this,” Griffin said.
T’s Boutique and CJ’s Closet both carry lines of new jewelry, in addition to gently used shoes, purses and women’s clothing.
Other area consignment stores include a Change of Seasons in Perrysburg and Plato’s Closet in Holland. Those selling clothes on consignment typically receive a portion of the sale price. Bibs, Bows and Britches in Whitehouse purchases children’s clothing, furniture and toys outright for the resale shop.
For more information on Kahle’s services, go to www.take-the-time.com.