BU Style Closet Cleanout x True Fashionistas Consignment Process: Make Money With Your Clothes

COLLABS

Apr 7

Have you ever stood in front of your closet and wondered what to do with all those clothes? Especially when doing a closet cleanout, it makes perfect sense to ask yourself a few things just to be sure.

Ask yourself these questions when doing a closet cleanout:

Does this clothing piece serve me and my style goals?
Do I want to donate these clothes? Give them away to a friend?
Do I want to sell these clothes instead?

Ah! So, you want to sell your clothes. It can be overwhelming taking clothes to buy/sell/trade establishments (and you can feel judged!). What we love about True Fashionistas in Florida is that they understand that special items of clothing (or shoes, accessories) might require a slightly more informed and deft touch.

So BU Style and consignment resale boutique True Fashionistas have teamed up to offer the BU Style community a simple solution to consign and/or sell their pre-owned luxury designer and brand-name clothing and accessories for men, women, and children.

Many of our lifestyles have changed over the past years, as have the contents of our closets. Before we dispose of that which no longer serves us, consider consignment and/or resale as eco- and wallet-friendly options.

Meet Jennifer Johnson, owner of True Fashionistas, a Naples-based, family-owned business that accepts consignments from households throughout the U.S., sells to customers around the world and donates to local charities within Southwest Florida.

Who are True Fashionistas & how does their consignment process work?

True Fashionistas operates a streamlined consignment process that begins when individuals send in their items for review by a team of professional buyers. As of October 13, 2023, the company transitioned to a policy that no longer offers buyouts for mail-ins; instead, all mailed items will be placed under a 90-day consignment agreement. Clients have the option to choose whether they want their unsold items returned (for a fee) or donated. When shipping items, clients must use the label provided and include a checklist in each box to ensure proper tracking. True Fashionistas uses UPS for shipping, meaning they do not control the delivery timeline or track incoming packages, and their team will not wait for all boxes to arrive before starting the review process. It’s important to note that items should not be shipped in thin boxes to avoid damage. Once the items are evaluated, True Fashionistas will send a text message to the client, so providing a cell phone number is essential, and clients are expected to respond within 48 hours. Any items that remain unsold and valued under $25 at the end of the consignment period will be donated.

Right, but what is consignment when it comes to clothing?

Let's explore the fantastic world of consignment shops! These upscale boutiques offer a treasure trove of high-end, like-new items from top brands at incredible prices. You can discover unique furnishings, chic decor, and even stylish sunglasses that exude luxury without the hefty price tag!

A consignment clothing store is a type of retail store where owners sell second-hand clothing, shoes, and accessories from other people. However, the key difference between a consignment store and a traditional thrift store is the way items are priced and the relationship between the seller and the store.

Consignment shops partner with sellers to showcase their items, and if they don't sell quickly, prices are often lowered to help them find a new home. These upscale boutiques are definitely worth a visit for their unique finds and great deals!

Meet Jennifer Johnson & True Fashionistas

Snippets from our interview:

What motivated you to move to Florida and open True Fashionistas?

My family moved from Minnesota to Florida for my husband’s job. I quickly realized there was not a designer resale store that catered to the whole family. It was as simple as that, I found a need and wanted to fill it. True Fashionistas became Naples’ first luxury designer resale specialty and online designer consignment store.

What‘s your favorite part of running True Fashionistas?

I love the thrill of every day. Seeing what new things come into the store—it’s like Christmas! I simply love fashion and being able to chat daily with our customers. When you come into True Fashionistas and meet me or any of our associates you’ll witness the passion for what we do.

What’s selling?

All items are ideal to resell; there is value in most things. We have really embraced the circular economy and more people have a real passion for resale. Right now we cannot keep designer handbags in stock. We sell them as soon as they hit the website or floor.

What are the options and how does it work?

Watch this video to see why to consign with True Fashionistas!

True Fashionistas offers three options to continue the lifespan of clothing and accessories:

Consignment: consign with True Fashionistas and receive 50% of the selling price
Resale: sell to True Fashionistas for cash and receive approximately 30% of the selling price. Note: this option is no longer available for mail-in items
Donation: donate to local charities, Avow Frances Georgeson Hospice House and/or St. Matthews House, and you will receive a tax deduction form from True Fashionistas

Get free direct shipping: request a free UPS mailing label to ship your items to True Fashionistas.

How are sales tracked?

Once we receive your items, they will be authenticated, priced, and included on your True Fashionistas Consignor account, where you can track their status. You will receive a consignor access invite email, which will include a consignor number and temporary password.

What items are accepted?

We are looking for items that are free of stains, holes, and extensive wear. The items must have been in the regular retail stores within the last two years (there are exceptions) and be fashion-forward. True Fashionistas buys all seasons, all year! See our list of accepted items here.

Here are some of the brands we love:

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim

2. A.S. 98

8. All Saints

9. Ann Taylor

10. Anna Sui

11. Anthropologie

12. Armani

13. Banana Republic

14. Balenciaga

15. Balmain

16. BCBG Max Azria

17. Bottega Veneta

18. Brunello Cucinelli

19. Burberry

20. Bvlgari

21. Calypso

22. Canada Goose

How can you get started?

Consignment and resale with True Fashionistas is available to BU Style clients throughout the U.S.; contact your Style Strategist for details or Jennifer at True Fashionistas to arrange your shipment!

Not sure what to sell through True Fashionistas? Try our Decision Tree! It’s designed to help you figure out the next life for your clothes when doing a clean-out!

The Terms & Conditions

When you consign your items to True Fashionistas, here's what you can expect: your clothes and furniture will be on the sales floor for 90 days, with discounts at 30 and 60 days (25% and 50% off for clothes, 20% and 30% off for furniture). If your items don't sell, they'll be donated or returned after the 90-day term, with some exceptions for seasonal items. You'll be responsible for picking up your items within 5 days of notification, or they'll become the property of True Fashionistas. When it comes to payment, you'll receive a check 7 days after each sale, and balances under $12 will be paid in store credit. There's a $1.99 fee for mailed checks and a $40 cash fee for lost or misplaced checks. Additionally, True Fashionistas charges a buyer's fee that covers the cost of tickets, and you'll need to pay $20 or $40 cash to retrieve your items early, depending on whether they're authenticated or not.

These, for example: