Chic to Chic, Mustard Seed, Current Boutique, Reddz Trading
Consignment shops are a great source for designer fashions at a fraction of the price. Here are four of the area’s best.
The sassy, friendly staff (check out their weekly YouTube series for proof) makes shopping at Chic to Chic as fun as an outing with your best girlfriend. The inventory is surprisingly stylish, and label-lovers won’t walk away disappointed. Free People tunics, Tory Burch blazers, Michael Kors booties, and other of-the-moment, affordable pieces share the space with discounted Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs handbags.
Chic to Chic,15900 Luanne Drive, Gaithersburg; 301-926-7700; chictochic.com
Two qualities make Mustard Seed the most boutique-like consignment shop in the area: its extremely edited selection, and the mini-shop of new apparel at the front of the store. Well-priced jewelry and separates with interesting patterns and on-trend shapes fill up displays closer to the windows—and pair nicely with the mix of Diane von Furstenberg dresses and Sam Edelman shoes in back.
Mustard Seed, 7349 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 301-907-4699; www.mustardseedshop.com
With a 50 percent commission rate and no appointment necessary, Current Boutique is a good place to go if you want to make a little cash off a batch of rarely worn clothes. The Bethesda outpost of this local chain tends to accept a broader range of items per consigner than nearby competitors, and typically prices things at one-third of their retail value. The one drawback? Waiting 90 days for your payout.
Current Boutique, 7220 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 301-222-1114; www.currentboutique.com
Photo by James Mertz Got a few hours to spare? Reddz Trading is the perfect post-brunch spot to while away a weekend afternoon. Clothing racks in the huge space overflow with options for men and women, from stores such as J. Crew, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Banana Republic. Designer finds are more limited, but not unheard of—we once scooped up a jacquard Valentino dress for $70.
Reddz Trading, 7801 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-656-7333; www.reddztrading.com
