FabSugar

The Real Real Is the Real Deal in Designer Consignment Shopping

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:50:54 PDT

We've all done our fair share of scrounging around vintage and consignment boutiques in hopes of finding a great designer deal, but we all know how hard that can be. Now, what if we told you we found a shop where you can buy some amazing vintage and past-season designer shoes, clothing, and bags - from the likes of Celine, Dolce & Gabbana, and Thakoon to name a few - all online. Amazing, yes? That's where newly conceived online designer consignment shop The Real Real comes into play. Not only did we check out and shop the site ourselves (one of our editors scored on an amazing pair of Chanel shoes for $145!), we spoke with one of its founders, Marcy Carmack, to learn more:

FabSugar: How do you determine authenticity with the items you receive?
Marcy Carmack: We rely on a team of experts across the US including former executives in all top fashion houses.

FS: How many new items do you receive on a weekly basis?
MC: It just depends, we got 500 pieces in one day from a celebrity. That is not an everyday occurrence, yet!

FS: Your site sells past season and vintage items, what are some timeless designer pieces every girl should invest in?
MC: Chanel, Louis Vuitton luggage, Hermés handbags, and quality costume jewelry. Good design is not just this season but there is good design every year.

Now that you have the down low, check out our top ten designer picks from today's curated selections then sign up (it's free) to be a member and start shopping!

Consignment: Buy or Sell?

SavvySugar — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:30 PST

I decided to get an early head start on Spring cleaning and get to work with a little housekeeping post holidays. For starters, I went through my whole closet, tackling years of unworn, forgotten clothing - prom dresses included, yikes! After cataloging the goods, I realized that there was some pretty decent loot there, regardless of whether it still fit me or not. My next step is to head to the closest consignment store to unload the goods and hopefully score a small sum. It's a chance to make a little money back, especially in the case of any designer pieces I can no longer wear.

But recently I've noticed a trend among my friends - tons of them are hitting the consignment shops to load up on discounted, designer finds. It's a thrifty way to get some great pieces. Still, when I'm on a run to consignment, I'm hoping to make money, not spend it, even if it is at a smaller cost. What about you? Are you a consignment buyer or seller?

Turn Your Ex-Covets Into Covets

FabSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:08 PDT

Who here has a side job as a consigner? I've been working this gig for years - sadly, I'm not at a place where I end up loving all my purchases years later. If you're like me (shopaholic), you may find extra work with CovetShop. Their selection is pretty impressive: Chanel bags, Miu Miu pumps, Moschino booties, DVF dresses, the YSL Mombasa Horn Handbag. The prices? Solid. And you guessed it: you can hook up with the e-tailer and put your ex-coveted items up for sale.

Baby Bump: Bargain Maternity Clothes

babysugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:00:44 PDT

Not interested in spending a wad of money on maternity clothes that will only fit you for a few months?

Smarty pants are turning to Belly Bundles to pick out a few bumpalicious items to carry them through those "bigger" months. The on–line consignment boutique offers dresses, jeans, tops and swimsuits that are in good condition.

If you don't have a friend who can get some wear and tear out of your stretchy jeans and you just can't stomach to look at them again, try to make a buck with Belly Bundles by shipping them your goodies. When they sell, you'll get 50 percent of the sale price!

Fab Site: ChristabellesCloset.com

FabSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:00:22 PDT

Are your designer duds not finding a comfy home on eBay? If not, Christabelle's Closet may be the humble abode for you, or better yet, your clothes. This full service luxury consignment e-boutique is the best way to get rid of high-end items without having to carry them in bags to a consignment store. Don't feel bad if you've got nothing to sell because you can always buy! Choose from bags, shoes, dresses, outerwear and more. You'll even find baby items for your little one and menswear for your hubby or boyfriend. But remember, all sales are final so shop carefully!

12 Things You Should Never Buy Full-Price

Business Insider — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:15:25 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Business Insider story here on Savvy!

With the Internet, helpful mobile phone apps, and retailers scrambling to keep consumers in their shops, there's no need to pay full-price for much of anything these days.

To give you a boost, we tapped a few savvy shoppers for their tips on all the ways you can save.

Theater tickets

"One of the greatest savings areas recently has been the theater ticket business," says Anna Aronovich, CEO of GovernmentAuctions.org.

Even if you're not going to be around NYC to score discount Broadway tickets this month, there are opportunities in nearly all cities to see shows on the cheap.

Some rewards programs like Optimum Rewards cost nothing to join and offer discounts on shows.

Beer

If you're looking to stock the fridge for your next poker night, don't hit the liquor store until you've checked out www.saveonbrew.com.

The company's been featured on a host of deals sites lately as one of the best ways to find discounts on brewski, says Jennifer Davidson, director of operations. (See some incredible uses for beer.)

Read on for more.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST

6 Secrets to Bargain Hunting

Emily Co — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:04 PST

This past weekend, a friend and I spent a glorious Saturday afternoon being shown around by a frugal fashionista who gave us a crash course in bargain hunting. I think I must have squealed a few times over the amazing finds I spotted in consignment stores and little neighborhood shops. I found a BCBG dress for just $25 when it originally price was over $200, and to top it all off, it was in great condition. I didn't buy much this time, but I did pick up some valuable tips from my shopping trip. Here they are:

High and Low: There is a mix of high- and low- end consignment stores so remember to check out both. On my little bargain excursion, I saw pieces from Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg at about 80 to 90 percent off at a higher-end store and found some great basic pieces at the low-end store. Mix and match it up, just like you would with your outfit!
Check the Tags: If you're super iffy about wearing something that's used, check the tags to see if it's new. Some stores get their clothes from wholesalers who have some clothes left over or from shops that need to get rid of some stock to make space for the new arrivals.

Read on for more tips.

Fresh Start Resolution: Get Rid of the Stuff You Don't Need

Emily Co — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:22 PST

It's a new year and a new you! We're highlighting 12 helpful tips to start off the year right, from quitting your caffeine addiction to mastering time management. Here's another way to start afresh in 2012.
Starting a new year means clearing out the old. It's a good idea to get items you don't use out of the way because they will fill up valuable space in your home. Get ready to sell your stuff with these tips:

Electronics. If you're thinking about selling your electronics, consider Gazelle.com, buymytronics.com, and nextworth.com. These sites are great because they'll quote you a price for the item you wish to sell. You can always consider selling it back to the original retailer itself if you're wary about third-party sellers. For instance, Apple has a great recycling program.
Receipts and documents. Nip your pack rat tendencies in the bud and start sorting out documents to trash or stash. Throw away receipts for items that you aren't planning on returning, and ones that you won't need to use come tax time. If you're wary of throwing away receipts, you can make a digital copy of them with a basic scanner, a pricey specialized receipt scanner ($174), or a smartphone app ($2). See here for a full list of documents you should keep forever or temporarily.
Books and things. If you have some books or other miscellaneous items you want to get rid of, sell them on Amazon, Craigslist, or eBay. You can even trade them for something else on swap.com.
Clothes and accessories. Sell these goods at a consignment store, but make sure they are in good condition. Repair clothes before selling and make sure you wash them carefully, or even launder them. Find a thrift store at thethriftshopper.com. Other options include selling them to family and friends, online at sites like eBay, and at flea markets.

Read on for more.

How to Make Your Own Vintage Brooch Headband

Jaime Richards — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:00:55 PST

Here's a simple way to breathe new life into old jewelry. All you need is a fabric headband in the color of your choice and a vintage (or vintage-inspired) brooch. For this particular version, we pinned a retro-style brooch to a black satin wraparound headband. Aside from this being an easy way to dress up your look, the best part is that the style is not permanent: remove the brooch and affix it to a jacket, scarf, or anything else that needs a little lift. Then hit up the consignment store for its new replacement.