The 4 C's of Clothing Consignment
As the seasons change, your clothing changes too. Summer outfits are bright and fun, but winter outfits require warmth and protection. Wherever you live, your wardrobe will evolve throughout the year. You’ll add new pieces that better reflect you and your style and say goodbye to items you’ve outgrown and no longer wear. Consigning unused clothing is a great way to maintain your closet and earn some extra cash. Plus, you’ll be supporting a local small business and stepping further away from the global fast fashion machine.
Here are the 4 Cs of Clothing Consignment to help you get the most from your consignment experience at Isla.
Current: Current means in season and in style. Don’t confuse current with trend.
Trends arrive and vanish in the blink of an eye, and the amount of textile waste generated
keeping up is enormous. Brands produce poor-quality clothing, knowing it will be replaced
within a few months. Slow fashion and the circular clothing economy are designed to outlive these trends. They focus on producing high-quality, timeless pieces made to be worn for a lifetime. We love slow fashion and brands that consistently produce quality clothes.
When we ask for current clothing, we’re looking for:
● In season. Naturally, we can't sell a winter jacket in the summer or a light, floral dress in the winter.
● In style. Timeless pieces, basics, neutrals and natural fabrics will always be in style. Ask yourself, will this item still be current a year from now? Or is it influenced by a fleeting trend? Classic, timeless clothing possesses quality, versatility and an enduring elegance that fast fashion cannot match. But funky and interesting vintage clothing is timeless, too. It transcends time and will remain current for years to come.
Condition: The condition of an item is equally important. We accept items in good to like-new condition, new with tags being the holy grail. Our customers trust us to curate a selection of pre-loved clothing that looks and feels new, so we must be selective about what we accept.
We’re unable to accept items with the following flaws:
● Stains of any kind
● Holes or tears due to damage
● Pilling
● Fading
● Broken zippers or buttons
● Shoes showing any kind of wear
Would you buy it again in its current condition?
Circular and slow fashion pieces will always last longer. They’re made to be worn and loved, not just sold for profit, and with the correct care, they will outlast you.
Leather and denim will develop patina as they are worn and used. Patina can enhance the look, but the item must remain in great condition. For example, shoes become very difficult to sell if the condition is anything less than excellent. As a consignor, this works in your favour as we’ll consider the condition when pricing your items. The better the condition, the higher the resale price.
Character: We aim to carry an ever changing selection of beautiful, unique and interesting clothes, and we love pieces with character and history.
Vintage clothing commands high prices due to its age and rarity. More attention was invested during manufacturing, so it tends to be of higher quality. These items also have unmatched history and recall a time rife with social and cultural changes.
It’s fun to imagine your vintage jeans in 1977 and what life was like back then.
With handmade clothing, each item is distinct and carries the imprint and spirit of the individual maker. They’re artisans who’ve invested time and energy into honing their skills and showcasing their craftsmanship. It’s this human touch that makes each piece authentic and special.
Pre-loved clothing has character because it’s lived a life before you’ve owned it, and items
produced consciously and sustainably have character because they represent a greater mission. Character cannot be found in new fast-fashion clothes. Consumers appreciate both character and value equally, and consignment is the perfect blend of
the two.
Cleanliness: Our goal is to create a sustainable, pre-loved shopping experience that feels like you’re shopping new. Therefore, it’s imperative that we only accept freshly laundered, spotless clothing for our inventory. We have hundreds of consignors and receive new drop-offs (via appointment) every 30 minutes. Time is of the essence, especially when the store is busy, so we greatly appreciate you inspecting your items before bringing them in.
We’re unable to accept clothes with the following issues:
● Dirty
● Stains of any kind
● Odours
● Pet hair
The cleaner and better presented your clothes are, the more likely we are to accept them, and the more likely they are to sell.
Check them in natural light, ensure they’re folded and organized, and don’t forget to empty the pockets!
Ready to consign with us?
Now you’re ready to step into the world of clothing consignment.
Welcome to the community! You’ll contribute to the circular fashion economy and support a local small business while turning unused clothing into cash or store credit. Following the tips above helps us deliver a seamless consignment experience to everyone.
Book your drop-off appointment and take a moment to review our brand guidelines.
See you soon!
