How to Declutter Your Closet and Make Money: The Power of Consignment

Why Consign? The Power of Editing Your Closet 

Liz purchased this stunning dress secondhand using funds from consigning at her favorite shop, Anchor Chic Consignment in Edmonds, WA.

Frequent wardrobe editing is essential for keeping your closet organized and functional. A well-curated closet can save you time and stress on busy mornings, reduce decision fatigue, and help you say, “I have just the outfit!” more often. Choosing to consign those nicer items that you’re ready to part with is a great solution that is an all-around win for your closet, your wallet, and your community. Let’s dive into why consigning should be your go-to for staying organized.

Declutter Your Closet with Purpose

When you open your closet, how do you feel? Do you have everything and yet nothing to wear? Are you feeling uninspired getting dressed each day? Consigning encourages you to thoughtfully assess your wardrobe to determine what you wear most often, what you love, and what’s taking up space. Getting in the habit of regularly editing your wardrobe helps maintain a functional closet that is aligned with your personal style. 

Helpful tip: Designate a shelf, basket, or bag in your closet for items you’d like to consign. Once full, take yourself on a date to your local consignment store! Use your credit or cash to get something you love or use towards a dinner out with friends...or both! 

Get a Return on Your Investment

Let’s face it, clothes can be expensive, especially those impulse buys or special occasion pieces that are rarely re-worn. Consigning allows you to recoup some of your initial investment by selling pieces that you no longer reach for. Haven’t touched that designer coat in over a year? Maybe it’s time to trade it in for something you can’t wait to wear over and over again. It can be incredibly rewarding to reclaim value from your purchases.

Support Local Businesses

Consignment shops are often local, independently run businesses that often work with non-profits in your area. Choosing to consign and shop locally directly contributes to your community’s economy. These businesses rely on their consignees to help establish their curated collections and attract their customers. 

Sustainability as a Fashion Statement

Fashion is one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries. By consigning, you’re keeping clothes in circulation and out of landfills. Many of the items we want to add to our wardrobes already exist in the world, and finding these items at second-hand establishments can be extremely gratifying. Items that are collecting dust in your closet could go to someone who will love and wear them, promoting clothing circularity and reducing waste.  

Consignment shopping is also an affordable way to explore trends without compromising sustainability. With carefully curated selections, these shops make it easy to discover stylish, high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost. Experiment with bold colors, unique details, and daring silhouettes, knowing you can always re-consign items that don’t become wardrobe staples.

What to Consign and What to Donate

When deciding what to consign versus what to donate, consider the item’s age, condition, original value, and brand. Consignment shops typically look for items in excellent condition that originally retailed for $150 or more. Well-cared-for designer pieces, high-quality jeans, and barely-worn shoes are ideal for consignment. Don’t overlook smaller accessories like bags, scarves, glasses, and jewelry—these are consistently popular in consignment shops. If you have a large vintage collection, start with a vintage-focused consignment shop, which is also a great place to sell costume jewelry.

On the other hand, donate everyday clothing that still has plenty of life left but may not meet consignment criteria, such as items from common specialty retailers with lower resale value. Before donating, consider finding homes for these pieces among friends or your local community, or selling them independently for an extra effort to extend their life.

Ready to Consign? 

Head to my Resources page to find local Women’s Consignment Shops and Kid’s Consignment Shops in your area. Since these are independent stores, they all operate a little differently so be sure to visit the shop’s website or call ahead of time to learn more about their policies, what they’ll take, and when they accept new items. 

Need some one-on-one support editing your wardrobe and deciding what to consign? Let’s work together! Book a free discovery call and consultation with me here.