15 of Charlotte’s best secondhand stores

• The fast fashion industry thrives on rapid shifts in trends, as Axios' Anna Braz reported. The industry generates cheap, lower-quality clothes that often end up in landfills as new trends wipe out old ones.
• Fast fashion brands include Forever 21, H&M and Zara.

Yes, but: These popular brands are often more affordable than more sustainable brands.

By the numbers: The apparel and footwear industry account for about 10% of climate impact, which is more than all international flights and maritime shipping trips combined, as Axios’ Erica Pandey reported.

The bottom line: While you may still see fast fashion pieces at these stores, shopping at consignment stores helps you reduce your carbon footprint, and it gives you a chance to put together a unique look.

• Plus, you can sell or consign your gently used items at some of these stores.

Here are 15 stores to check out in Charlotte. 

Clothes Mentor 

Location: 8120 Providence Road Unit 500

What to expect: A mix of brands, from Birkenstock to Lululemon.

Sell: You can sell your gently used clothes here for cash on the spot. See brands they accept here.

Divine Consign

Location: 8145 Ardrey Kell Road Suite 101

What to expect: It feels more like a boutique than a secondhand store. You’ll see high-end options, like Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and Sam Edelman.

Consign: Here’s a list of brands they accept, plus ones they don’t take, including a number of fast fashion brands. Also, clothes you want to consign cannot be more than two years old and they must be on hangers. You’re allowed to consign a maximum of 20 items per visit.

• You can drop clothes off in-store; they'll pick them up from your home if you're in a 10-mile radius, or you can ship your items to the store.
• Consignors receive 40% of the sale price on regular items and 60% of the sale price on luxury items, such as Burberry.
• Consignors are paid every Monday for sold items.

GW: A Goodwill Boutique

Location: 3609 South Blvd.

What to expect: Name-brand men’s and women’s accessories, clothes, jewelry, shoes and home décor.

Of note: Goodwill retail stores are also donation drop-off locations.

J.T. Posh 

Location: 2400 Park Road

What to expect: It’s an upscale consignment store, selling brands like Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik.

Consign: Call the store at 704-375-1334 to set up an appointment. Sellers make 45% of the store’s retail price on an item.

• Of note: Items are only on the store floor for 60 days.
• You can pick up your check between the 15-20th of each month, or you can take store credit.
• Checks are only mailed to you if you live outside Charlotte.

One Hott Mamma Maternity Consignment 

Location: 1419 East Blvd.

What to expect: Brands like Movemama Breastfeeding and Maternity, Pink Blush and Pea in the Pod.

Consign: Items must be in like-new condition and currently in style. They can be dropped off during business hours.

• They also ask items be neatly folded in a box, basket or reusable bag. Don’t bring your clothes in a trash bag.
• The store also offers a drive-up service on weekdays, so you can wait in your car if you have kids with you. Just call 980-939-1690 when you arrive with your items or to pick up your check.
• Items are consigned for up to 90 days, and if your clothes sell, you’ll receive 30% of the sale price via check or an extra 10% (40% total) in store credit. Of note: Store credit cannot be used online.
• They will mail you a check for a $5 fee, which is waived if you live outside of North or South Carolina. You can also receive payment via Venmo at no additional cost.

Plato’s Closet

Locations: 10035 E. Independence Blvd., 9519 South Blvd. Suite A, 10215 University City Blvd.

What to expect: You’ll find mall brands like American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Sell: You can sell your gently used clothes here for cash. See brands they accept here.

Thrift Pony

Location: 1824 Statesville Ave., in Camp North End's Boileryard District.

What to expect: Hellen Moffitt has found an affordable and creative way to keep our closets updated while also producing less waste, as Axios’ Laura Barrero reported. Expect fun thrift markets in their parking lot, as well as in the store.

• You need to make an appointment to consign your items. You’ll get 50% of what they sell for.
• Items typically sell between $5-$40.

Go deeper: Popular vintage and consignment shop Thrift Pony relocating to Camp North End

Locker Room CLT

Location: 4090 Raleigh St.

What to expect: Vintage sports apparel, particularly North Carolina sports apparel from the 80s and 90s, as Axios' Alexis Clinton reported.

Go deeper: Locker Room is reopening near NoDa with a large inventory of vintage sportswear

The Rat’s Nest

Location: 442 E. 36th St.

What to expect: Vintage clothes in the heart of NoDa.

Uptown Cheapskate 

Locations: 5033 South Blvd. Unit E, 9015 J M Keynes Dr #5, 8700 Pineville-Matthews Road Unit 900, 9709 D Sam Furr Road

What to expect: Mall brands like Express and Forever 21, plus some designer brands.

Sell: They’ll offer 25-35% of what they’ll price your items at. You’ll receive 25% more (50-60% total) if you opt for store credit. 

Consign: They offer consignment for designer brands, but you can still sell it on the spot. Expect to receive 60% for designer brands they purchase.

Of note: Bring items into the store in a reusable bag. They won't take clothes you bring in on hangers.

OldNews

Location: 3225 N. Davidson St.

What to expect: It's a vintage apparel store known for its old-school graphic T-shirts and crew necks, and it recently relocated to a bigger, more prominent space in the heart of NoDa's commercial district, as Axios' Katie Peralta Soloff reported.

Go deeper: Vintage store relocates to bigger spot in the heart of NoDa

Gear Goat Xchg

Location: 3038 Eastway Dr.

What to expect: New and used outdoor gear.

East 8th Vintage

Location: 1950 E. 8th St.

What to expect: Expect both old and newer items at this Elizabeth spot.

The WearHouse

Location: 127 Stetson Dr.

What to expect: You can shop for clothes, books, shoes and furniture. Proceeds from The WearHouse benefit Camino, a nonprofit supporting immigrant families.

Hush Consignment 

Location: 8042 Providence Road Suite 800

What to expect: Luxury brands like Prada.

Consign: You must make a weekday appointment to consign your items, which must be in-season and gently used. Items will be consigned for 60 days. You’ll receive 40-60% of what your items sell for. Checks are available for pickup on the 15th of each month or may be mailed by request. Accounts under $40 will roll over to the next month.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in October 2015. It was updated with new reporting on Jan. 28, 2024. Katie Levans previously contributed to this story.