Recently I’ve shifted my focus from writing to resale. (Dear writing: I miss you, and I’ll return to you soon!) Clothing resale, specifically on the Poshmark app. What is Poshmark, you may ask? It’s an app/website where users can sell or buy new or used clothing. Search almost any brand or style of clothing, shoes, or accessories and you’ll probably find it. (Find more details at the bottom of the post!)

I’ve been a hard core thrifter for well over a decade now. It started when I discovered I could buy very gently used baby clothes at a local childrens’s consignment shop and save a fortune. From there I ventured into the Salvation Army and Goodwill. So many awesome clothes. So cheap! At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom during the economic meltdown. Cheap—especially good quality cheap—was good. I only bought what I needed.

Flash forward to today… I’m back at work. I could buy all my clothes at the mall, but why?  If I can pay $4 for a pair of $250 pristine designer shoes, why on earth would I waste my money? Plus, thrifting became a hobby. It’s a treasure hunt, and I’ll admit, I get a high off of finding gems burried in the racks.  Only, I kept finding so many stunning steals that wouldn’t fit or I had no place to wear. So they stayed on the rack for someone else. Sigh.

Not anymore.

It all started with a gorgeous ivory Tahari coat…

Last spring, we I visited Paris for the first time. (Again, on a shoestring—I’ll share those amazing tips one of these days.) Would the weather be…cold? Damp? Rainy? Balmy? Far different than Florida, that’s for sure. We needed coats. Raincoats. Layers. And it was PARIS, so it had to be chic. But inexpensive. Months of hard-core thrifting ensued with great success. My prized find was a stunning ivory Tahari coat. I lugged it across the ocean but never wore it, fearing the first time I sat on a metro seat or leaned against a stone bridge railing it would be soiled forever.

The trip was an absolute dream. I fell in love…we all did…with the city of love and light. Paris, je t’aime… But one of the “souvenirs” from my trip was a suitcase full of clothes I’d never wear at home in Florida. My coat closet was stuffed and there are years where I never open that closet door. My fabulous finds—beautiful quality cashmere, wool, brand name stuff—had to go. But where?

I’d sent clothes off to Thread Up before. It had been a positive experience, but when tried to send them items to consign, they were closed for new items for months.

I took a huge plastic bin of items to my local consignment store, Clothes Mentor. They bought some of the everyday jeans, shorts, and dresses I’d weeded from my wardrobe. But the cashmere sweaters and wool coats…nope. They wouldn’t sell here, I was told. So what could I do with them?

I’d joined Poshmark back in 2016 after I saw an add for Lilly Pulitzer at discount prices. All the listings I had seen were still WAY over my budget, so I never went back to the website. (I had no idea you could “Make an Offer” or get better deals at the time.)

Then the Megan Markle and Prince Harry engagement photos were released and she was wearing a coat just like mine!

I had to strike when the iron—er, coat—was fresh in peoples minds. I took a chance and listed the coat and few other items.

I sold my first item, a pair of Lilly Pulitzer yoga pants (I had dramatically underpriced) two days later. The coat took three days. Both sold at full price. This Poshmark app seemed like pure magic! (Ha.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little did I know how much work would be involved…but that that work would earn a profit. How…I’ll tell you in my next post.

More info on Poshmark and how to become a #PoshBoss to come!

 

 

 

 

** If you’re interested in finding amazing designer and vintage deals online, check out the POSHMARK app.  Poshmark is a fashion reseller shop that lets you buy and resell top fashion brands at up to 80% off retail prices. Check out my closet, VINOBABY VINTAGE here.

 

You can get a free $5 credit when you enter the Invite Code VINOBABY when you download the Poshmark app for iOS or Android and create a free account.

(Please note that the $5 free Poshmark credit for new users is only available via the Poshmark app, and you can not get the free $5 credit when you sign up for an account on their website.)