By using our service, you agree to our Terms and Privacy PolicySign UpWhat’s more exciting than having your customers take photos of amazing displays, styled mannequins and clever windows? Having them post them on Instagram, tag your store, and let new customers find you! This was the topic of a recent Accessories Magazine presentation called Bright Ideas: Creative Ways for Your Store to Think Outside the Box, presented at the recent January trade shows at the Javits. And judging by the attention and retail attendance, retailers are always looking for ways to make their stores stand out. Below, some Instagram worthy ideas we’ve come across lately that we are happy to share: MAKE A SELFIE SPOT And if your displays aren’t Instagram worthy? Then make sure your customers are by designating a selfie spot so they take photos of themselves inside your store (and share them!). Tip: Keep accessories nearby for impromptu styling. And don’t forget to hashtag your store!!
It's only fair to share... SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE Published 4 times a year (January/February, May, August & November) Accessories Magazine’s print issue is the only publication devoted exclusively to your business: Accessories! Our extensive menu of features, retailer roundups, surveys, proprietary industry reports, profiles, advanced trends and fashion visuals offers an overview of the entire accessories market unavailable from any other source. SIGN UP FOR DAILY E-NEWSLETTER Type and Press “enter” to Search Started in Tucson, Arizona, in the early ‘70s, this cheery chain has five locations in the city where you can buy, trade or donate those one-time favorite outfits you don’t have room for anymore. And don’t sweat it if what you’re looking to trade isn’t made by top designers: The shop pays for everyday basics, vintage gear and one-of-a-kind pieces. Bonus points for their annual Earth Day sale and Coats for Cubs drive, where real furs are collected and donated to make bedding for orphaned and injured wildlife.
Michael’s, The Consignment Shop for Women This UES family-owned shop has been in the haute couture–recycling business since 1954 and is the place to go if you want to score Dior, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana dresses for 70 to 90 percent off retail price. While you shouldn’t schlep your bags of less-than-luxe stuff here expecting a trade (they only buy first-tier designer labels that are less than two years old and in great condition), come here if you want to treat yourself to something luxurious without breaking the bank. This minichain has six locations in the city and offers clothes, handbags, shoes and accessories from strictly high-end labels (Tom Ford, Helmut Lang), at 30 to 50 percent off. Gents can outfit themselves in a John Varvatos black leather jacket ($600) and Hermes oxblood loafers ($525). Make an appointment (Monday–Saturday) to sell your items, or fill out an online form before mailing your clothes. Consignors earn just under half of the selling price, and items are discounted further for every month they stay on the rack.
This busy store stocks both classic and playful pieces for women and men, such as purple leather pants by Theory ($55) and Barbour jackets ($195). Expect to find labels like Rag + Bone and Chanel; accessories range from Herve Leger pouches ($185) to Hermes belts ($200-$750). Consigners who want to sell their clothes can either get cash or store credit right away, worth one third of the estimated value of their goods, or earn 50 percent of the item’s cost once it’s sold. This female-founded company has three Brooklyn locations and one in Manhattan—and an online shopping option for the lazy fashionista in you—where you can find Gucci shoes ($300), Alexander Wang skirts ($45) and French Connection dresses ($35). While you can grab pricey duds like these for a fraction of the cost, don’t be disappointed if you have to pay instead of trade: Buyers tend to have discerning taste. The upside: Clothing left for donation goes to one of several charities, like the FDNY foundation and New York Cares.
Behind this storefront along a trendy stretch of Atlantic Avenue, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of designer goods for women: Brands like Stella McCartney, Celine and Isabel Marant constantly grace the racks, and the designs are edgy, modern and bright. Consignment is by appointment only, and sellers receive 40 percent of the final sale price of each item. And if you’re not in the area, hit up its site: They ship anywhere in the U.S. for $10. This East Village standby is owned by Tokyo-born Makoto Watanabe, and stocks a quirky mix of out-there statement pieces and items from big-name brands suitable for everyday wear. Many dresses fall under the $100 mark, while you can find a pair of Louboutins for as little as $200. Consigners get 50 percent of the selling price, with unsold pieces slashed by 20 percent after one month on the rack and an additional 50 percent after two months. This Upper East Side institution of gently used designer womenswear is selective with consigners, picking only top-of-the-line brands such as Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Prada and hawking them for 60 to 90 percent off retail prices.
If your wares qualify, they’ll earn you a 50 percent cut of the selling price. We suggest heading here if you want great shoes and handbags: They’ve been known to carry Chanel ballet flats and Hermes totes. While looking through the racks here can be the most rewarding treasure hunt ever, the best part about Crossroads is the no-waiting-required policy: Drop your clothes off Monday-Thursday and pick up your cash the next day. But be selective about what you’re trying to sell: They value trendy items in great condition, not vintage pieces that you’re looking to get a good price for. With almost 40 stores in 12 states from Maine to Florida, Second Time Around is a power player in the consignment business. Fitting with its Upper East Side location, the selection skews toward either preppy or timeless pieces, with J.Crew acting as a benchmark. Book an appointment to sell your in-season designer wares and receive 40 percent of the final selling price. The longer an item goes unsold during the 90-day consignment time frame, the more its price is slashed (by 20, then 30 and finally 50 percent).
FYI: All Second Time Around outlets have individual Instagram pages, which are updated frequently to highlight new stock. You’ll find Guess and Levis denim cutoffs, vintage Rolling Stones and Metallica concert tees, and a wide selection of Harley Davidson sweatshirts, jackets and tanks at L-Train’s three city locations, which carry ’70 to ’90s style fashions for as little as five bucks. They also have a great selection of neon, pineapple and pink-flamingo printed Hawaiian shirts—perfect for that upcoming summer BBQ where you want to want to look good but still have a few bucks left to show up with a six-pack in hand. Don’t let the discount bin outside or tchotchkes in this shop deter you from looking through the racks of jackets and shoes, which can often score you serious fashion finds at up to 50 percent off retail prices (and you can earn 50 percent from sales to spend on something new). While the odds of finding like-new items here are slim, there are many vintage finds to be had—especially via their Etsy page, which can save you a trip uptown.