Resale Mania

Green retail therapy at Trends boutique

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 6:00 AM

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email PrintShow Gallery

Amanda working that leather coat @ Trends

Suze styling Sharon @ Trends

Corine Graham rocks the 80's sweater @ Trends

Diane Hunter loves her 'new' shoes & skirt @ Trends

Amanda working that leather coat @ Trends

Suze styling Sharon @ Trends

TRENDS

810 North Blvd.

Oak Park IL, 60302

Phone: 708-434-0801

By Suze Solari

Wardrobe Consultant

Back in the early ’90’s when I was a Jr. Interior Designer at my first job in Portland Oregon, I remember finding the coolest, tiniest, resale shop downtown.  My first of many purchases there was a yellow silk, print Oscar De la Renta dress; alas I don't know what ever happened to it, but my love of hunting for treasures in vintage, and resale shops has only grown.  One must embody an adventurous spirit, employ patience to dig, and most of all have the conviction to buy when finding that perfect item, because it won’t be there the next time you go.  Of course, need I state the obvious?  Resale / vintage / consign shops are places we can go for loads of retail therapy, help our planet, our wallets, and help ourselves dress in the most unique of ways.

Which leads me to my Style Tip of the week: shopping at Trends Consignment Boutique in Oak Park!  The flamboyant, and gorgeous, Kellie Scott has a huge hit on her hands with her latest venture in the resale market: Trends boutique - opened this past October, as an extension of her furniture consignment shop, Divine Consign.

She is quirky and sharp: “you people are crazy”, she says with a huge grin, of the consigners who drop off designer pieces with prices tags still attached.  There is a generous mix of merchandise available.  You never know what you will find, and if you have studies your fashion history & labels, you can score big!  I bought a Versace, silver lame jacket recently, and a Barney’s black cotton sweater to go under it.  I found myself coveting the red platform Christian Louboutin stiletto pumps, for $100.; these babies retail for $800. - too bad not my size, but I did grab patent leather Calvin Klein pumps marked down to $10., unbelievable. One of my girlfriends updated her entire Fall wardrobe with 8 classic pieces, in her signature pallet of cream, beige & grey; including 2 leather coats, a stunning pair of flats, and an Armani silk blouse - all for under $200.

Kellie is constantly giving back to the community, and planning great events: like the Divine Holiday Extravaganza  last week, if you were lucky enough to attend and get a one stop shopping experience with one of a kind artisans & the pick of the crop local retailers participating. 

Vintage & resale items are a fantastic way to add individual style to your wardrobe; to truly go ‘Green’ re-use & re-purpose.  Express your personality and individuality: no one is going to have the same blouse or coat you got from Trends.