This Winter Might be the Best Thing for Your Vintage Clothes

I keep reading predictions in the media that this winter will bring the  strongly anticipated La Nina, the absolute opposite of an El Nino winter in Chicago. What does this mean to us? Icy storms, lots of snow and a heavy helping of frigid air. 

Although, this prediction of a 2016 winter deep freeze might be the best thing for our vintage clothes.

The famous fur that Carrie Bradshaw wore.

I had first acquired this knowledge when I went to go visit my client for a White Glove Pickup in a gorgeous Ukrainian Village apartment in Chicago. The type of building with the huge front porches and colorful flowers tumbling down the side. My client was consigning her mother's items and immediately when I walked into her apartment, I could see that this woman had exquisite taste. I was excited to see and learn about her mother and the stories of how she collected these clothes.

It was then, as we were rifling through her furs, fine wools and leathers that my client mentioned to me that her Mother used to "freeze" her furs. I chuckled and then listened intensely as it sounded non conventional do to this, however I am always excited to learn new things, especially about properly caring for finer clothing.

She told me stories about how her mother would in the dead of winter hang her finest items out in the open cold air and freeze them. Although, her neighbors might of wondered what she was up to, she was rather smart as it was an effective way to rid of dust mites and moth larvae.

See no matter how meticulous you are with your items, especially vintage, you are always running the risk of these little buggers ruining your clothing. Freezing kills the mites and larvae in an effective, inexpensive and green way. 

You might not even know you have them, but if you have inherited Grandmas clothing, shopped at an estate sale, thrift store or even are just known as a clothes hoarder (admit it, you can't let go of your favorite sweater from college)... chances are good that you have them. Well stuffed closets of even contemporary clothes offer a perfect, dark habitat for dust mites and moths.

The most effective way to freeze these pests is to hang your clothing outside, for at least eight hours and have the humidity in the air be under 60%. Or you can choose to fold your items into the freezer and keep them there overnight, just be sure not to pack the freezer too tightly. Let the clothes have a chance to breathe and get the cold air in.

See this on your clothes? Chances are you have a moth problem.

Other effective ways for combating these pests is to make sure your items are clean
before storing them, as moth larvae LOVE soiled garments. Store your clean clothing in plastic bags in a cool room. Central heat and a warm rooms makes for a welcoming habitat for these pests.

Also, a thorough spring cleaning at least once a year will help maintain a pest free environment. Our Grandparents generation had the right idea by literally cleaning out, scrubbing and dusting every part of the house. Make sure to take out all clothing, shake it out, open windows, dust and clean out drawers and closets. 

I can't tell you how many times I have been on a White Glove Estate pull where I find the likes of vintage Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro and similar destroyed by moths and mites and wanted to cry. I hope that sharing this knowledge keeps your valuables damage free to enjoy for many more years.

Ciao for now!
XXOO
Christine Sanderson
-Le Thrift Consignment

This Winter Might be the Best Thing for Your Vintage Clothes

I keep reading predictions in the media that this winter will bring the  strongly anticipated La Nina, the absolute opposite of an El Nino winter in Chicago. What does this mean to us? Icy storms, lots of snow and a heavy helping of frigid air. 

Although, this prediction of a 2016 winter deep freeze might be the best thing for our vintage clothes.

The famous fur that Carrie Bradshaw wore.

I had first acquired this knowledge when I went to go visit my client for a White Glove Pickup in a gorgeous Ukrainian Village apartment in Chicago. The type of building with the huge front porches and colorful flowers tumbling down the side. My client was consigning her mother's items and immediately when I walked into her apartment, I could see that this woman had exquisite taste. I was excited to see and learn about her mother and the stories of how she collected these clothes.

It was then, as we were rifling through her furs, fine wools and leathers that my client mentioned to me that her Mother used to "freeze" her furs. I chuckled and then listened intensely as it sounded non conventional do to this, however I am always excited to learn new things, especially about properly caring for finer clothing.

She told me stories about how her mother would in the dead of winter hang her finest items out in the open cold air and freeze them. Although, her neighbors might of wondered what she was up to, she was rather smart as it was an effective way to rid of dust mites and moth larvae.

See no matter how meticulous you are with your items, especially vintage, you are always running the risk of these little buggers ruining your clothing. Freezing kills the mites and larvae in an effective, inexpensive and green way. 

You might not even know you have them, but if you have inherited Grandmas clothing, shopped at an estate sale, thrift store or even are just known as a clothes hoarder (admit it, you can't let go of your favorite sweater from college)... chances are good that you have them. Well stuffed closets of even contemporary clothes offer a perfect, dark habitat for dust mites and moths.

The most effective way to freeze these pests is to hang your clothing outside, for at least eight hours (sun helps) and have the humidity in the air be under 60%. Or you can choose to fold your items into the freezer and keep them in there overnight,just be sure not to pack it too tightly.

See this on your clothes? Chances are you have a moth problem.

Other effective ways for combating these pests is to make sure your items are clean
before storing them, as moth larvae LOVE soiled garments. Store your clean clothing in plastic bags in a cool room. Central heat and a warm rooms makes for a welcoming habitat for these pests.

Also, a thorough spring cleaning at least once a year will help maintain a pest free environment. Our Grandparents generation had the right idea by literally cleaning out, scrubbing and dusting every part of the house. Make sure to take out all clothing, shake it out, open windows, dust and clean out drawers and closets. 

I can't tell you how many times I have been on a White Glove Estate pull where I find the likes of vintage Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro and similar destroyed by moths and mites and wanted to cry. I hope that sharing this knowledge keeps your valuables damage free to enjoy for many more years.

Ciao for now!
XXOO
Christine Sanderson
-Le Thrift Consignment

How to Have a Successful Consignment Experience

At Le Thrift Consignment we are always hear from potential consignors about their fears about consigning or dreadful past experiences with other consignment stores.

It led me to wanting to write a post about how to have a successful consignment

experience whether you work with Le Thrift or any other consignment store.

When you are starting to go through your closet here are a few tips to help you choose the right pieces to sell.

1. Make sure that the items are in season and also clean or that they are dry cleaned before you bring them in.

2.  Examine the item and ask yourself is this something I would buy from a store? Is it relevant to what people are wearing now? When was the last time I wore this? Am I ready to give this up and sell it? If the answer is yes on all of these, then put it in your consignment pile.

3. At our store and many others, it is always about the quality of items that come in than quantity. The best items are going to sell and therefore make you money. When new

consignors come in with lots of items to go through and most of it we cannot sell, it is a waste of time for both parties. Bring in edited pieces that you feel would sell and donate the rest to a local charity.

4. Do some research on the consignment store before you walk in. Do they have a reputable business? Check Yelp, Zagat and Google to see honest and real feedback from customers about the store you are about to do business with.

5. Have you looked at their store policies? Usually they list them on their web site along with the percentages. If not, it is wise to call in and see what their policies are before bringing your items in. See if they take appointments or you can stop by anytime during business hours. Some consignment stores offer free pickup or shipping if your items qualify for those services.


6. Check to see if the brands you want to sell are carried in their store. We offer a brand list online to let our customers know what we are looking for and the brands we accept.

7. Fold, hang and pack the items you want to sell neatly into bags or containers. Hanging

your items is even better. Again check with your consignment store how they prefer you bringing your items in.

8. Make an inventory list of the items before you bring them in and have the consignment store employee count the items that they accept. Check these on your list as the ones that were accepted. Knowing the number of items you left gives you reassurance and can give you piece of mind.

9. Make sure you read over the contract carefully. I cannot tell you how many people don't read the contract. It is your items, so take your time and make sure you understand the terms of the contract before you leave.

What happens next is different with each consignment store. Some offer online portals so you can see your sales and accountability of your items. Le Thrift Consignment offers this service to their consignor for a minimum fee. If your consignment store does not offer this service, make sure you at least have a handwritten list that both you and the store have a copy of and have agreed to.

Now on to the fun stuff! How do consignment stores typically price your items? The process is usually pretty universal, but always ask your consignment store first.

1. Items are usually priced to market resale value. For items that are worn, they generally sell from 25-30% of the original retail price depending on the wear of the item. Items that are new with tags generally resale for 50-60% of the original retail price. In very rare cases some items increase in value. For example, a rare Hermés, alligator skin handbag from the 1980's would go up in value.

2. Consignment stores usually pay each quarter. In some cases they might pay cash or pay monthly. Ask your consignment store when they pay. How you will receive payment and when your items will want to be returned. Also ask how long they will sell for and how long they hold on to the items after they stop selling. Will they be donated? Can you get a tax write off? These are all important questions to help you have a successful experience.

3. Markdowns often happen at consignment stores as well. Just like big box retailers, consignment stores need to start marking down items to give customers incentives to buy them. If an item sits on the floor too long at the same price, it becomes a "dead" item. Items that sit too long, usually end up never selling at all. A store will have a certain following of customers and the public dictates what that item is truly valued at. So if your items all sell at the original estimated price, you have done very well. But, most times the items that sit longer will be marked down and ultimately that is better in the long run as your items will sell through and your check will be larger.

3. The last point I want to bring up to you is that most consignment stores are trying their best and reputable at what they do. Try to be a great "business partner" and not always be calling and checking in on your items. There is a fine line between a friendly check-in and being a nuisance. If you feel unsure of something go ahead and ask, but then always give the store time and space to sell the items and you will have a better outcome.

I hope this helps you whether you consign with Le Thrift or consign at your local consignment store. As a consignment store owner, I want to share this information with you so that you can know what to expect and have a great experience.

So ladies, clear out your closet and start making some cash!

Xo,
Christine Sanderson
Le Thrift Consignment 
www.LeThrift.com
 

Second Base Camisols

Introducing our Haute Shop at Le Thrift.

Where a savvy shopper can find great deals on NEW fashionable and trendy fashion items.

Out Featured New Item
Tired of wearing tanks that ride up underneath your strappy dresses and your favorite shirts? Second Base Camisoles are an inexpensive, comfortable and stylish solution! We love the Brittany Style!

Second Base Camisoles now featured in the Haute Shop. http://shop.lethrift.com/Haute-Shop_c92.htm

More about Second Base Camisoles
Second Base is a collection of camisoles tailored for wearing under dresses and form-fitting tops. True to its name, Second Base is meant to be layered on top of your first foundation: your bra. Second Base's design offers the comfort, invisibility, and breathability that regular camisoles lack. If you don't normally need a bra, you could wear Second Base as your first layer. 

Interested in consigning your products with us?
Contact us at info@lethrift.com

How to Shop a Thrift Store Like a Pro - by LeThrift.com

Shopping at thrift stores can be intimidating. Especially if you have not shopped at one before. Often people are not sure how to find great deals because theses stores are often overflowing with clothing crammed into every corner. The experience can be daunting.

This is why I have decided to give those who are interested in shopping at thrift stores some useful advice. With just these few tips, you will discover great finds like a Chanel Suit, cool vintage skirts or killer stiletto Prada heels.

SEARCH

The best way to start is to go to sites like Yahoo Local and Yelp and type in "thrift stores". Depending on the city, you will find people who will post comments on thrift stores they like, the deals they find and if the pricing of the stores items is reasonable.This feedback is a very useful tool to save time and narrow down your search to stores that might have some potential. Once you have found stores that you like, go on off hours and go frequently in order to find the best items.

TIME
After you find a few stores, make sure you have carved out enough time to thoroughly look through each store. Be patient, thrifting is not for the impatient at heart. Often when you rush through the racks you will not find very much and end up having a frustrating experience.

TREND

Also, go through several current fashion magazines like Marie Claire, Vogue, Bazaar and In Style. Decide which trends or styles you like. Trust me, fashion trends often cycle through several times, so what might of been in style yesterday might be in fashion now. Tear out items or styles that you like and bring them with you to the thrift store. Also take a quick overview of your wardrobe. What pieces do you need? What separates could use a counterpart to add extra flair? What accessories do you need to dress up a "tired looking" outfit?

FABRIC

When you have figured out what items you are searching for, go straight to that section. Quickly go through and touch fabrics that are hanging on the racks. Look for colors that are not faded. If the fabric feels good, it probably is a higher quality. Also natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk are more likely to be a more higher in quality, although sometimes designers do use synthetics. In this case check to see how the fabric looks and feels. Which leads me to the next topic...

BRAND

While on your fashion hunt also look for well recognized brands and designers that will be reputable. Often a higher quality brand or designer will manufacture better clothes, hence they will last longer to wear and tear. Also if you are familiar with the brand you will know how the sizes run. Unfortunately, in the fashion world there is never a universal size 8, 12 or 2. A good rule to follow is that usually the cheaper the brand or designer, the smaller the sizes run.

CONDITION

Always check the condition of your garment. Thoroughly check all the hems, buttons, zippers. Look for any holes or tears along the bottom of pants, underneath the arms, in the lap area. Also, check for stains or discoloration. If the item is white, off white or cream make sure to check the underarms for stains. If your item surpasses all your tests, make sure to wash it or dry clean it when you bring it home to prevent any allergens from getting into the air or on your skin.

STYLE

If you have a found a stunning gown, but the hemline is too low, or you see a wonderful coat that needs new buttons. Sometimes, it is rewarding to bring an item that has potential to life. If you have a great seamstress, you can have alterations or improvements done to a garment at a fraction of the cost of buying a new item of the same quality. Rummage through estate sales or fabric stores to find cool buttons and funky appliques. The result with be that you will have created your own unique look.

I would love everyone to shop at lethrift.com, but part of the reason why I started Le Thrift is that I wanted people who have been struggling financially because of the recession or been dealt with unexpected circumstances in life have a way to shop and still look great. Thrift stores are a way to save money, to pay off  debts and still be able to wardrobe your whole family. Happy thrifting!