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Issue Date: September 27 - October 4, 2001
Once and again BY NINA WILLDORF
In an economic downturn, consignment stores thrive
 THERE’S A CERTAIN set for whom the words " last season " are
cause for sneering. But backing up that attitude requires serious cash.
Take one look at all the belt-tightening around town, and you’ll see
that " last season " is making a comeback. A visiting scenester
from Los Angeles was recently quizzed on what those in The Industry are
wearing these days. " They’re wearing what they were wearing
last year, " he said. " No one has any money to buy anything new. "
Now that’s a fashion dictum we can appreciate. But not everyone does
- and it’s a good thing, because even better than wearing what we
wore last season is wearing what someone else wore. It’s easy to follow
in the wake of those few still-solvent slaves to fashion, who purge their
walk-in closets practically monthly to make a little moolah on the side.
 It’s called high-end resale shopping. And don’t confuse it
with down-market vintage, which is made up of ratty little boys’ soccer
tees, men’s white dress shirts with yellowed pits, and the indie-rock
uniform of cords and cardigans. Consignment stores (which pay sellers a
portion of the sale price) and upscale vintage shops (which usually accept
clothes as tax-deductible donations) are a step above; shopping here means
fancy labels, near-perfect-condition pieces, and, in some cases, a mere
six-month delay between that style maven’s closet and yours.
In the fashion world, discounts are like scars: a matter of pride, and
fodder for a story. Get ready to slash and burn.
 Second Time Around
Now that Manolo Blahnik stiletto ankle boots are, like, so two
months ago, they’re teetering onto the floor at local consignment
shops, reduced from several hundred dollars to $118, in the case of a
pair sitting front and center at this Newbury Street boutique. The 27-year-old
store, which has three locations locally, takes pieces on consignment
only if they boast big-name labels and are less than two years old. "Our
business is good, " says owner Jeff Casler. " People bought
a lot of wasteful things, and they’re realizing it’s not all
fun and games anymore. "A few impeccably maintained items we held
ourselves back from buying recently: weathered Diesel jeans ($50), a Kate
Spade handbag ($62), and a BCBG winter suit ($98).
Three locations: 167 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 247-3504; 8
Eliot Street,
Cambridge, (617) 491-7185; and 1169 Walnut Street, Newton, (617)
964-4481.
Clothes Encounters
"
This business is thriving, " says Margaret Plovnick, the proprietress
of this small, high-end Brookline resale shop, which sells women’s
and baby clothing and some housewares. " Very few people can buy new
clothing anymore. " Plovnick plucks her wares from a stable crew of
people who work at pricey boutiques around town - folks who are expected
to wear the latest fashions, and who purge their wardrobes as soon as the
seasons change. Although she wouldn’t dish on the specific shops,
we saw an awful lot of Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, and Barneys. Some of
the tempting items: a Ralph Lauren violet lamb’s-wool sweater ($20),
slim gray Calvin Klein pants ($20), plain-front Adrienne Vittadini rayon
slacks ($22), and a gray Agnès B suit jacket ($28).
1394 Beacon Street, Brookline, (617) 277-3031.
Boomerangs. The AIDS Action Committee resale thrift shop has a
rack in front with fabulous high-ticket items. Head here to buy a suit or
sweater set and pretend you still have a job. 716 Centre Street, Jamaica
Plain, (617) 524-5120.
Maude Mango. The vintage-stocked store is presided over by the
latest darling in Boston old-school attire, Maureen Dahill. Head here to
pretend you’re Jackie O. 507 East Broadway, South Boston, (617) 464-1180.
Garment District. Head here to pretend you’re picking up an ensemble
for an upcoming gig at famed former rock club the Rat. 200 Broadway, Cambridge,
(617) 876-5230.
Second Time Around
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