please take a moment to rate my guide when you are done. merci.

 in a word? possibility. any fashionista worth her john galliano for christian dior ball gowns & chunky marni baubles knows that the only way to be the best dressed girl on 5th avenue is with the funk & cha-cha-cha a truly varied and bountiful wardrobe can provide. this knowledge is what separates the haves from the have nots of the world; the women that know this have an unforgettable sense of style (think daphne guinness, gwen stefani, millicent rogers), and the women who do not know have an already forgotten one.

   the world of resale & consignment provides the alpha and the omega of fashion omnipotence. if you have been blessed with the good taste to know what to wear, how to wear it, and when to wear it but lacking the immense wealth truly good dressing can require, then you may feel the door to the world of high fashion is shut to you by those extraordinary prices, but buying resale flings that door open and knocks it clean off the hinges. a good day of treasure hunting through forest thick racks of clothes in a good resale and/or consignment shop can yield fashion manna. we're talking $900 stacked tweed miu miu pumps for $200, maybe a $5000 oscar de la renta taffeta confection for $500...the possibilities are endless.
  
   a lot of people poo-poo on this sub-culture of consumerism because these things have been previously owned, but the fact of the matter is that the women that can afford to buy $15,000 Chanel suits and $900 Christian Louboutin ankle boots may only wear these things once or twice or for a season or not at all and then many of these monetarily blessed divas have no use for them. granted, a lot of things that the fashion houses churn year after year out are not worth being given a second life, but many of these things beseech us to keep them among the living for as long as possible. also, one of the privileges of wealth is being able to afford the best...which means these high priced pretty things have only known the best of dry-cleaners and lived in the most immaculate of well-kept closets. 

    if not for the world of consignment and resale often times these things would end up in a trash heap or on the way to a rag factory. another fabulous thing about resale & consignment is that in this world gone green you can do your part to not only give these clothes new life but keep cars off the road by staying out of malls, garbage out of the dump by reducing the amount of materials needed to get new clothes to market, and keep more money in your pocket for good deeds while not having to sacrifice your inner fashionista.
  
    in summation (did I sound lawyerly just now?), the best way to shop resale is with the same savvy skills you use at a good nordstrom sale; look for bargains, know what you like, and have a strong grasp of what works on you and for you.

  resale shopping on-line only further widens the choices you have before you. just be sure and read the fine print and if you are doubtful about an item ask as many questions as you need to. a good on-line seller of resale clothing is going to understand that their buyers will want to clarify any questions of quality and/or cleanliness. and if you are shopping on-line just remember that customer loyalty does not need to be the privilege of brick & mortar stores alone and many sellers will reward you for your business. i know we do. don't be afraid to strike up an e-mail chat with a good seller and let them know what brands you like and that you would love to be on their mailing list. many will contact you when they get things they think you will like. it's like having your own personal part-time stylist.
  
   i hope this simple guide helps you feel better about shopping resale & consignment. feel free to send comments or questions. merci!