[goldengirl]

I know several folks have extolled the virtues of consignment shopping & I've never had much luck with it. Well, I had some extra incentive; I have both a big job interview and a funeral to go to in the next couple of weeks - but since I'm only abt. halfway to goal, I didn't want to go out & spend $200 on a suit - one single outfit.

Fortunately, I live in an area where there are lots of "upscale" consignment shops. I hit four today, and ended up with four new suits, two for now, and two for about ten lbs. from now (cause all I'll be able to find in the stores then will be holiday stuff). I got a Talbots suit, a Kasper, an Alfani, and a Land's End. None of them was more than $70, less than a third of what they were new. All are in perfect condition. The Land's End suit was only $35! I also got a black cashmere cardigan (Land's End, $35)that's a medium, so it will be great abt. 10 lbs from now, and a Talbots top ($17).

I told all the storekeepers what I was up to, and they all said they get a lot of folks losing who buy consignment for their "in-between" clothes. The first store I went to even said that they have four customers on WW who are in abt. once a month, turning back in to re-re-sell their stuff that got too big & swapping for the next size down. They'll take back the Talbot's suit I got ($270 new) for $70 & let me re-sell it once it's too big.

Which makes me think that if I buy anything retail before I'm done that I'm going to shrink out of, I should go ahead & stick to the better labels, cause I can't consign the cheap stuff!

I admit, I wouldn't have thought of it if you all hadn't suggested it - THANKS, GUYS!!!

Lee

[ALLYSON in Raleigh]

Lee,

I've never ******d consignment for myself, but for a couple of years I got all of my daughter's clothes at consignment shops for babies/toddlers. She was growing so fast then, it pained me to spend much for her clothing, and toddler consignment is always in great condition because it gets outgrown so quickly and lots of people receive clothing for their little ones they don't care for, so they consign it.

Yes, When O was 2 and 3 years old, she was wearing Ralph Lauren Baby, April Cornell, Gap For Kids, Gymboree....now she gets "McKids" and "Sesame Street"...Wal-Mart and K-Mart, respectively. Sometimes I'll SPLURGE and buy her something from TARGET!!