How Do Consignment Shops Decide Which Pieces to Stock?

Have you ever wondered how a consignment shop chooses which pieces to buy and sell? If you're looking to sell your used clothes on consignment, knowing what kinds of pieces we're looking for is key to getting the biggest bang for your buck. 

Let's look at how consignment shops decide which clothes and accessories to stock... and some reasons your item might get denied. Below are the primary questions consignors will ask when considering your pieces. 

1. Is the piece high-quality and undamaged?

High-end consignment stores carry high-end pieces, so quality is what we're looking for first and foremost. This means we're not going to accept pieces that are ripped, torn, stained, damaged, or worn out. 

Overall fit and finish also matters. We consider the material, craftsmanship, and design of each garment to ensure it's up to our high standards. That's why we generally buy preloved designer pieces from well-known brands, whose quality we already know and love. 

Our customers want pieces that feel new, but with all the sustainability and excitement of buying secondhand. Putting an emphasis on quality allows our shoppers to feel confident that everything they're buying will be a fantastic addition to their wardrobe. 

Note: If you have damaged clothes a consigner won’t buy, donate them to a charity or a thrift shop. Although you won't get paid like you would with consignment, donating is a sustainable option to divert your used clothes away from landfills. Many thrift store shoppers will purchase partially damaged or stained clothing to upcycle them!

2. Is it from a well-known brand?

Most consignors prefer to purchase from designer brands to ensure quality and name recognition. Fast fashion clothing brands like Fashion Nova and Shein seldom end up on consignment racks because the quality just isn’t there; fast fashion can’t withstand multiple wears, washes, and changes of hand. Higher-quality designer pieces are a better investment because they're proven to withstand the test of time.

Well-known brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Kate Spade generally sell well on consignment, so you’re more likely to get top dollar when selling these sorts of garments. Check out these 15 best brands to resell on consignment.

3. Is it trendy or timeless? 

Consignment stores usually prefer timeless, classic pieces versus ultra-trendy ones because trendy garments have a short shelf life. By the time a "trendy" piece makes its way to a consignment store, the trend has usually already passed, making it a lot less desirable to shoppers. Classic garments will always sell, no matter the year, the season, or the changing trends.

That doesn’t mean some consignment stores won’t accept trendy pieces. However, they’re more likely to accept trendy pieces that have a timeless element to them. For example, maybe you are selling a feathery black dress that was chic in 2022 – but since it's still considered a classic “little black dress,” it might be easy to resell well into 2024 or 2025.

Note: There’s a difference between “out of style” and “vintage.” Vintage items will usually sell well. A vintage Chanel purse is going to sell for big bucks at a consignment store, whereas a Shein neon purple baguette likely won’t sell after its prime has passed.

4. Is it authentic?

Top-tier consignment stores like Current Boutique only sell designer clothes we can prove are authentic. We pride ourselves on selecting curated pieces from brand-name designers, so our customers can feel confident when purchasing with us. If we can’t authenticate a piece, we likely won’t put it on our shelves.

5. Can we market it well?

Different brands attract different clientele. For example, the girls who shop at Hot Topic may not be the same as those who shop at Lilly Pulitzer. This holds true for consignment stores too. Each consignment store targets a specific aesthetic and audience. The store's buyers know their market well, and they know what kinds of clothes or pieces their shoppers are likely to purchase.

So, if you're looking to sell a good-quality garment on consignment, don’t get discouraged if the first store says no. Don’t take it as a personal dig at you or your style. It’s likely because the store doesn’t feel confident that they can sell it for top dollar to their market. If you take that same piece to another consignment shop, they might say yes because it’s exactly the kind of garment their market would buy! 

6. Does it fit our niche?

Some consignors only sell certain kinds of pieces. For example, at Current Boutique, we sell clothes, shoes, accessories, and purses, but we do not sell any home goods or electronics. Some consignment stores niche down further, like they only sell jewelry or purses.

At Current Boutique, we sell high-end designer clothes and accessories. We also focus on sustainability, and we especially love clothes made from natural fibers.  

7. Is it in-season and high-demand?

If a consignment store is filled to the brim with inventory, they might not have the capacity to stock your pieces when you want to sell them. On the flip side, if the store is low on inventory, they might be more eager to stock all of your pieces.

For example, maybe the store has a lot of little black dresses in size 6, but they’re looking for more LBDs in size 10. If you bring in a size 6 dress, they may not stock it because they already have a lot of that inventory. You're more likely to get around inventory concerns if you're reselling classic, unique pieces that a consignor likely doesn’t already have an abundance of.    

Moreover, consignment stores are more likely to stock seasonal items than ones out of season. For example, they’re a lot less likely to sell a sundress in September than in May or June. Try to bring your items in at the beginning of each season, which is when customers are more likely to buy your preloved pieces. 

How to sell your clothes with Current Boutique

At Current Boutique, we value quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. That’s why we stock high-quality preloved items that our customers love, that sell well, and that don’t harm the planet. 

Sell your clothes with Current Boutique here. We make it easy for you to drop off or mail in your preloved clothes, so you can start cleaning out your closet and making cash ASAP. And any items that are not chosen for sale will be donated, so you don’t have to worry about your clothes ending up in landfills.