CAMROSE, Alta. (Staff) – Carrol Burkard likes wearing nice clothes, but she doesn’t want to break the bank getting them.
So she buys most of her clothes at consignment clothing shops.
“In times of fiscal responsibility it’s a good idea to try to get the most for your dollar,” Burkard told women at Fall Focus, a rural women’s conference.
“If you’re like me, you like to spend money on things other than clothes.”
Each year Burkard treats herself to two major shopping trips, each with a $500 spending limit.
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Armed with a selection of clothes from her existing wardrobe, she searches through her favorite Edmonton consignment shops for blazers, pants and skirts that match the clothes she’s brought along.
Shopping list
She also has a list of the clothes she needs so she can be more focused in her search.
“In the age of recycling I think it’s a very appropriate way to deal with our wardrobe.”
Because most of the clothes are seconds from factories or second hand, bargain hunters should look closely for stains or tears. Burkard points out hidden flaws to sales attendants, who often lower the price even more once they are aware of them.
“You do have to be more careful than department stores because there may be a few flaws.”
Some of her favorite consignment shops provide housecoats to shoppers so they can rummage for clothes without getting dressed after each fitting.
Consignment shops are a good place to find an inexpensive party dress that may only be worn once, she said. The party dress is even cheaper if it’s sold again.
