How To Find The Best Second-hand Clothes And Have Fun

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Carmen López is a luxury fashion businesswoman with such impressive annual benefits that they have appeared in media across the country, but her case is not what you imagine. She and her husband run the thrift store chain Current Boutique, with physical stores in Washington as well as online service. After the tremendous success of her chain, the vintage expert gives us the keys to learn how to buy in second-hand stores and take advantage of all its advantages.

Why buy second-hand clothes?

You can find great, quality pieces at thrift stores. Once you start shopping there it is difficult to go back to a “normal” store and pay those prices. Through this system, customers get the quality and luxury of designer clothing at a price they can afford. In addition, second hand stores are also a way to get out of your comfort zone and try styles that you would not normally dare with.

What is the trick to finding true treasures?

The fabric is the first thing I look at in a garment to see the quality. It has to be a 100 percent natural fabric, such as silk, cashmere, wool, cotton or linen. These natural fabrics feel better on the skin, fall and fold perfectly, maintain their silhouette and last a long time if you take care of them. I also look at the seams of a garment, how buttons, collars, etc. are sewn and finished. I also look at the quality and weight of the buttons and zippers.

What are your favorite designers and brands to resell?

Vince for T-shirts, Diane Von Furstenberg and Alice and Olivia for dresses, Elizabeth and James for jackets, Golden Goose for tennis, Paul Green for shoes and boots, Prada for bags. I have experimented over the years and I already know what has stood the test of time in my closet.

What is the funniest part of this system?

We select and propose fun combinations for our clients to have fun searching and testing and find inspiration. For example leather and lace, florals and stripes, cashmere and silk … our job is to make it fun!

What is the mission of your business?

As a business, we aim to develop a sustainable culture. We believe that quality fashion should be recycled and reused. We want to be part of a circular economy. Every employee goes to great lengths to ensure that we select quality parts that will last for many years. We touch and examine each material and its composition, we only want to offer high quality pieces.