I love kids’ clothes. Dressing my two kids brings me joy, and I’m going to do it until they absolutely refuse! There’s a problem though. As moms know well, kids wear these adorable outfits for about two minutes before they outgrow them. But I’ve got the answer: kids’ consignment!
The Benefits of Consigning
Consignment stores take new and gently used clothing and when it sells, give a percentage of the proceeds to the seller. Kids’ consignment is particularly good because kids go through clothes so quickly. The stores are full of barely worn and often brand-new items that you can buy at a steep discount; prices generally range from 30% to 50% off retail. Moreover, you can become a consignor and sell your kids outgrown or unused items to fund your new purchases!
Consigning has an environmental impact as well. In the United States alone, 11.3 million tons of textiles end up as waste each year. That’s equivalent to 2,150 pieces of clothing hitting the trash can every second. By consigning your kids clothes and buying used at the consignment store, you’re helping offset the 87% of clothing fibers that are “ultimately incinerated or sent to a landfill” according to Rachel Dottle and Jackie Gu at Bloomberg.
The financial and environmental benefits of buying and selling at kids’ consignment stores make it so worthwhile, but it does take a little planning. Here’s how I do it!
A Guide to Kids’ Consignment
In retail, clothing is seasonal. But the kids’ consignment calendar isn’t as advanced as traditional retail stores, which begin selling clothes well ahead of the actual season. For example, spring items typically make their appearance on websites and sales floors in early January! Conversely, my local kids’ consignment stores started taking spring clothing in February and March. I’ve found this to be really helpful as seasonal items are actually available at kids’ consignment stores when you need them. Who hasn’t frantically searched for kids’ snow pants in December only to find they’re all sold out?
If you want to start consigning your kids’ clothes, keeping this calendar in mind is helpful. Consignment is typically done by appointment, and they can fill up fast. So try to make one about a month in advance and bring clothes that are in season. Every store is different—and be sure to ask or check the website when making your appointment—but estimate being able to take around 50 items with you. Everything you bring needs to be freshly washed and in great condition—no stains, holes, rips, etc. Stores will also list the clothing brands they take and those they don’t on their website.
Not a planner? That’s ok too! “Walk-in Wednesdays” (or some variation) are becoming more and more popular at consignment stores. These are days when you can bring in a stack of items—typically 10-20 things—without making an appointment. To be honest, with my family’s crazy schedule, this is how I typically consign our clothing!
To prepare for appointments and walk-in days, I’ve started a system that works pretty well. I keep two bins like these in each of my kids’ closets—one for spring and summer clothes, the other for fall and winter. As they grow out of things, I just toss them in the bin. When I have time to get to the store, I grab things from the right season and go!
When you get to the store, you’ll need to sign a consigning agreement that specifies the terms (how much you’ll get when the item sells, the length of the consignment period, etc.). These agreements are often available on the store’s website too; doing it beforehand will save you some time! The amount of time you spend waiting for the associate to go through your items varies. It depends on how busy the sales floor is and the volume of items that have come in that day. While I’m waiting, I typically look around to see if there is anything that catches my eye to purchase, and have also run out and done other errands. None of the stores I frequent have ever minded me coming back a few minutes to an hour or two later!
When you come back, the associate will give you the items they aren’t going to take on consignment. I don’t think I’ve ever had an appointment where the store has taken everything I’ve brought in. I trust that they know best in terms of what’s going to sell, what their existing inventory looks like etc. So what do I do with the left overs? I drop them off at a clothing recycling bin, take them to a thrift store/volunteer organization that accepts used clothing, or give them to a friend with younger kids. After all, it’s already packaged up and ready to go!
Once the store has processed your items, they’ll email you a list that includes the selling price as well as the amount you’ll make if an item sells. This typically ranges from 30% to 50% of the selling price. Many stores will offer you more if you spend that credit in store rather than taking a payout.
Most stores will keep your items in stock for 90 days, with a markdown occurring at some point. You can then come back to collect what hasn’t sold or the store will donate the items for you. If you are planning to collect any unsold items, be sure to mark the date when your consigning period ends in your calendar; with hundreds if not thousands of consignors, the store doesn’t have the capacity to remind you.
This might seem daunting, but I promise consigning has been so worth it for me and my family. It’s economical and fun to have credit to shop with at the store after you’ve consigned. And, because I’m sentimental about my kids’ clothes, I love imagining other little ones wearing them while having brand new adventures. Of course, the sustainability aspect is a big draw too. By consigning, I know I’m not adding even more textile waste to the environment.
Where do you love to consign your kids’ clothes? What are your tips and tricks? Tell us in the comments! And be sure to check out Sustainable and Savvy: Kids Consignment Stores in the DC Area for a list of our favorite stores too!
Author’s note: While I was writing this story I learned that Erin Messner, the founder and owner of my local kids’ consignment store, Lemon Lane, tragically passed away. I love consigning and shopping at Lemon Lane, and will miss seeing her there so much. Every time we came in, she noticed what my daughter was wearing and said, “I want that when you’re done!” I was never sure if it was for her daughter, who is close in age to mine, or the store, which always made me laugh because we obviously shared a deep love for girls’ clothes. Erin and her store are a vital and vibrant part of the Little City community in Falls Church, and she will be deeply missed.
