What Really Sells on Consignment (And Why)

Hey, it’s Rosie. Let’s talk all things CONSIGNMENT, and Nifty updates, baby!

One of the biggest questions (aside from “When is your next market?”) we get asked is: “What actually sells on consignment?”

So I thought I would chime in to give you the inside scoop, observations, trends, and a bit of a monthly roundup.

Something I’ve been noticing lately? I keep catching myself saying to the team, “wow, we’ve got some really great stuff right now” Every week, I’m reminded of the sheer abundance of amazing clothing circulating in our community.

And honestly, I never get over it! It’s one thing to know the secondhand market is thriving in our city, but another to watch it unfold in real time. From brand-new sellers dipping their toes into reselling (always a thrill) to our regulars who know the system like clockwork (always a pleasure), it’s easily one of the best parts of running this store for me.

My favourite consignment piece that came in recently? A vintage Louis Vuitton Multicolore bag from the 2003 Murakami collection (the year that the iconic line of bags started!). Truly obsessed, and tempted to adopt a Chihuahua named Tinkerbell and carry it around in there. (The bag will be online this coming week if this sounds on brand for you).
Ok, now onto what's been selling well:

Designer + Contemporary Labels:

Think pieces that were $$$ new but still in great condition. People love the thrill of scoring them secondhand. Particularly brands like Penny Sage, RUBY, Gramicci, CDG x PLAY, Carhartt, Deiji Studios, Marle, Beach Brains, Paloma Wool, Wynn Hamlyn, and more.

Because these labels are cult-favourites and carry a reputation of being high quality. Buying them new can feel out of reach, but consignment makes them attainable. And shoppers know they’re still investing in something well-made that will last without paying full retail. 

The bonus with buying pieces with a cult-favourite reputation, is that they tend to retain their value, making them easy to resell again, and again. Which is the goal, right? For a piece of clothing to have as many lives as possible.

Seasonal Gems:

Now is the time to bring in spring pieces. Shoppers want to get ahead of the warmer weather and have outfits ready for all those extended daylight hours. Dresses, shorts, camis, mini skirts. Timing really matters.

Trans-seasonal pieces like cardigans, denim jackets, and hoodies also keep moving at this time of year. At the store, our justification when buying warm layers in spring is “I’ll use it to cover up at the beach, so I’m buying it.”

There’s something exciting about refreshing your wardrobe right as the weather changes, especially spring, it feels full of possibility, like we can actually leave our houses now! And fashion plays an important role in that. Consignment lets you do it without guilt, since you’re not adding more textile waste into the mix, and it’s easier on the wallet.

Le Classics:

These are the pieces that never go out of style and always have someone hunting for them:

• Vintage Levi’s (501s and 550s are undefeated)
  

• Graphic tees, band tees, and statement tees (particularly vintage)
  

• Lacey camis, blouses, and cute tanks. The blouse remains our strongest selling category
  

• Slip dresses (especially bias-cut ’90s ones, or lace-trimmed 2000s versions)
  

• Denim always: shirts, skirts, shorts, jeans, jackets!
  

• Overalls / dungarees: especially 90s/early 2000s cuts
  

• Workwear staples: Carhartt jackets, Dickies pants, sturdy overalls
  
  

These are wardrobe anchors, these pieces tend to remain popular throughout the year, and outlive and passing-trends. 

What’s Happening in the Vintage World:

70s, 90s, and 2000s are our most popular eras right now. We’re still seeing a huge demand for 2000s: low-rise denim, capri pants, always vintage Glassons/Pagani/Jay Jays.

Vintage dresses are moving too, particularly floral midis, prairie-style, or 70s boho silhouettes.

Workwear and utility styles are thriving, along with corduroy (pants, skirts, jackets). That fabric cycles back again and again.

In exciting vintage news, we’ve received really fun Y2K deadstock that we’re bursting at the seams to put out for you all in the next week or so.

To break it down, the demand is for anything that screams early MySpace era (and dare I say, we are encroaching on the mid-2000s Bebo era). We’re seeing an increase in demand for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, GAP, Lucky Brand ETC ETC! 

Simply put: trends are circular. Many shoppers looking for these pieces didn’t get to wear these pieces the first time around, and for those who did, it's a direct hit of nostalgia into our veins. Plus, styles from these eras were built to last, making them stand out from today’s trendy counterparts.

Workwear especially has a reputation for durability, which makes people feel they’re buying something that will keep giving.

Shoes + Accessories:

Sneakers are huge: New Balance, Nike, Asics, especially dad sneakers, which move quickly, especially if they’re in good condition. Adidas Originals (styles like Sambas, Gazelles) are still having their moment. Cowboy boots remain a forever fave.

Belts are another piece we can never get enough of, whether classic leather or a chunky vintage statement.

And speaking of accessories, we recently got a stack of vintage Von Dutch caps into the store, with more on the way. These caps are fashion history, and they transport us all straight back to the early 2000s. I was about 11 when Von Dutch peaked, so the real thing wasn’t an option for me, though I did somehow get my hands on a bootleg “Von Bitch” tee. Miss her.

Each vintage VD cap we get now has quirks, colourways, and textures you simply can’t replicate buying new. That’s the beauty of vintage. No two are the same.

Activewear:

Lululemon remains top of the leaderboard for activewear, but we’re also seeing strong contenders like LSKD and boutique brands like Nagnata, and Pinky & Kamal come through. Simple leggings, bike shorts, tops, outerwear, they perform well year-round. 

Vintage activewear is having a moment too: Y2K Nike and Adidas racer-backs, capri leggings, sleeveless zip-ups.

Activewear is worn beyond the gym. People wear it every day, so buying quality at a lower price feels like a smart investment - for how integrated it is in many of our wardrobes.

At the end of the day, it often comes down to this: if you’d be excited to find it secondhand, chances are someone else will too. The beauty of consignment is that clothes get to live many lives. And we love having a mix of it to offer.

Markets Update:

Now, onto events. We have markets on the horizon.

Yes, marketS! Plural! In exciting news, they’ll now be happening monthly aaaall summer long. We’ll be posting the full calendar in advance so you can plan ahead.

Live out of town? Book your flights. Already made summer plans? Cancel them!

Want first dibs on dates? Sign up to our EDM and get the details before anyone else.

Want to become a vendor? Apply here or shoot us a message on Instagram with any questions.

Much love, and thanks for the ongoing support. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Rosie XX

P.S. We put out our store spring playlist. Listen here!