Let’s go shopping…on a budget. Consignment shopping in the Queen City.

To me fashion is more than clothes and accessories…it’s a form of self-expression. Starting at a very young age, my mom instilled in me that fashion is a reflection of mood, of ambition and desires, and of a person’s true self.

I consider fashion to be an art form, but like most art, sometimes it’s going to cost you to get quality pieces…unless you know where to go for deals. I am a firm believer in shopping consignment and thrift. Reuse, recycle and go green in an effort to help the environment and your bank account, while staying true to your style personality.

We are lucky to have so many great consignment and resale shops in Charlotte. Here are some of my go-to shopping spots:

(1) Green Jeans Consignment: Each spring and fall, this pop up shop takes place around the Charlotte area (the spring sale had locations in Matthews, Lake Norman, and SouthPark). This sale focuses on selling high quality, new and gently used clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories for women and teens of all sizes and ages. I made it to the May spring sale in the SouthPark area and purchased 2 skirts, 2 dresses, 2 tops, a necklace, a pair of shoes and a killer black leather jacket that was severely discounted. My grand total for 9 items was $113.

(2) JLC WearHouse: The JLC WearHouse is my secret weapon for professional attire. The JLC WearHouse is a retail nonprofit store and all proceeds support the community initiatives of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). Purchases made at the JLC WearHouse support more than 20 community projects and organizations in the Greater Charlotte area. I recently took a friend shopping there and pulled items for her to try on based on her style and needs. She walked out of the store with about 15 items for under $150 dollars and a new appreciation for shopping and consignment/thrift.

(3) Plato’s Closet: Yes, this location is typically geared towards teenagers, but don’t let that fool you. There are still amazing items for everyone regardless of age and size. My last trip there netted a necklace, shoes, a top, and a new beach bag for a grand total of $38.

Some other great locations I recommend for purchasing unique items at a fraction of the original cost are JT Posh, summerbird, and Buffalo Exchange.

Keep in mind that it may be a roll of the dice when you shop consignment or resale. Some days you may strike it big, while other days you may not find anything. My advice is to not have a specific item in mind when shopping consignment, thrift and resale — go with a general idea of your wants and needs. If there is something specific you are looking for, keep that in the back of your mind as you search through the racks. I had been looking for a black leather jacket but wasn’t willing to pay a high price. At the most recent Green Jeans sale I found the perfect black leather jacket for $22.

Be patient, but most of all, have fun and don’t take shopping so seriously. Happy hunting and let us know what deals you find shopping in the Queen City.