Every year we make resolutions and cleaning out your clothes closet can be a great goal. We suggest turning all of your clothes hangers backwards. Then as you use your clothes you can turn the hangers the right way and at the end of the season, you'll know which clothes were unused because they are still hung backwards. These clothes can then be donated, sold or tossed.

For some seniors, lifting heavy clothing or swapping out their seasonal closet is a challenge to their strength or range of motion. Why not use clothes pins or clips to mark your clothes? Then you don't have to rehang all of your clothing backwards and at the end of the season, the items that still have clips, have been unworn and can be removed. Find a solution that works for you and say goodbye to the excess clothes that someone else could use!

If you are paring down your wardrobe and hoping to consign your clothing, you’ll want to do your research on clothing consignment stores. They can save you the time of pricing, advertising, displaying and selling your own clothes, but they also have higher requirements for the clothing you bring them.  Yardsale or donation quality clothing will not work for these consignors. You’ll want to offer them your higher end clothing and will need to be prepared for them to reject what you’ve brought them. 

A quick search can tell you that most consignors are looking for clothing that is of a certain quality, brand, and from a more recent fashion season. For unique, retro and more historical styles of clothing, you’ll want to research a store with a similar offering of products. Costume shops may also be interested in your outfits of yesteryear for theatrical productions. 

Consignors are looking for clothing that is…

• Freshly laundered and free of pet and smoke odors
• Ready to Wear - no pills, stains, open seams or tears, missing buttons, wrinkles or pet hair.
• Current season or up-to-date styles (not more than 3 years old)
• Clothing brought in laundry baskets or bins, neatly folded or on hangers.

Don’t bag your clothes and don’t price your items. They will set the price for each item. You can leave tags on the items if they are new from the store, but don’t expect to make the same amount of money consigning them. 

Most consignors will list on their website their own rules for consigning with them. Typically, they will want you to set up an appointment so they can review what you bring in. They will want you to remain in the store while they choose which items they’ll sell, so you can then take with you the remaining items that won’t be sold there. 

Their website may also list the process they use for consigning. They may choose to buy your clothing outright or will return to you a portion of the selling price after a certain period of time. They may mark down the selling price as time goes by and they may take full possession of your items after a set time to then sell or donate on their own. Look for policies that may also relieve the store of any liability for breakage, theft, etc.

Consigning your clothing is an easy way to make some money from your special occasion outfits and new and gently used brand name clothing.