by Solange Lopes | Oct 2, 2017 | Make More Money
Disclosure: I have partnered with The Real Real to discuss making smart fashion choices through the power of consignment shopping.
Fall is one of my favorite times to “refresh” my wardrobe. By this, I mean (graciously) letting go of the clothes and shoes I keep hoping to “magically” fit in one day when my stomach gets flat again. In the age of consignment, when you can pocket some serious cash for cleaning your closet and home of unused goods, eliminating personal clutter has actually become the ethical thing to do. Think about it, instead of throwing away all the money you spent on those then-highly-fashionable mini-skirts from college, you can now let go of yesterday’s fashion with poise, elegance and a fatter wallet.
Consigning, or the modern art of reselling your unused goods, is also a great way to make sustainable, smart fashion choices while pocketing extra cash.
I first got into the world of consigning as a college student with a thin wallet and unabashed passion for eclectic, original yet moderately priced fashion wares. It was a fellow fashion addict with a similarly limited budget, who introduced me to the concept and led me to my first vintage Chanel bag.We’d travel hours to some of the best consignment shops in the most affluent areas around town, chasing those unique vintage picks. It was about more than just getting more stuff, it was the thrill of the chase, the history behind those vintage pocket books, the sense that life has passed through these stores. And also that we were contributing to saving fashion from utter waste (we all need a higher purpose, don’t we?).
In honor of the first-ever National Consignment Day, here are seven benefits of never throwing away and consigning instead:
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High fashion doesn’t have to mean high costs!
I’m the proverbial “frugal fashionista”. Which also means I don’t believe that you necessarily need to dish out high costs to enjoy high fashion. You can now get designer items in good condition on resale, while giving sellers the opportunity to sell more with less costs and labor.
Keep in mind that one of the pre-requisites of consignment selling is that sellers ascertain that the items sold are up to a certain standard. This also means you may be able to purchase great, even rare items, at a fraction of their price.
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Consigning is environmentally-friendly!
Instead of throwing away unused goods and adding to the planet’s waste, you can actually contribute to saving the planet through the use of consignment shops. Now, unused items can become part of someone’s wardrobe, while the seller can benefit from making extra cash. For both buyers and sellers, it’s an absolute win-win.
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By not throwing away, you’re helping a good cause!
Many consignment shops also serve as non-profit organizations. As such, they partner with local and national charities to dedicate some of their benefits to helping certain causes. As you participate in the consigning process, you may also be helping a charitable cause.
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Consigning is a great business!
If you have an eye for rare fashion and other finds, you may be able to turn the consigning process into an exciting business. There are many online marketplaces that specialize in high-value and/or original consigned goods. I know I love unique vintage items and rare art pieces that sometimes can only be found through the consigning process.
Every now and then, you hear about a lucky shopper who stumbled across a treasure at a consignment shop. That could be you!
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Consigning is budget-friendly!
Whether you’re in a budget pinch or just want to save a few bucks, consigning can be a great way to make or save extra money. You can cash in on all those unused dresses (yes, those with the tags on that don’t get past your left thigh) in your closet, and you may also be able to score original, unique finds at very reasonable prices.
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It’s like a fun treasure hunt!
One of the main reasons why I love consignment shops is the sense of adventure they bring. You never know what you’ll find there. I’ve dug out unique vintage fashion items, funny and original pieces from antique times, and rare décor in stores all across the country.
I always wonder about the story behind those items, and get inspired by the memories they may carry. Plus that sense of extra price when you beat the other shoppers and get the coveted vintage Chanel bag…
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You get variety and originality!
Last but not least, if you tend to get bored in traditional stores, consider the variety and originality you may find in consignment shops. From various designer labels to older, vintage picks, the options may be endless, and quite fun!
What has been your experience with consignment shopping?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 30, 2017 | Career
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
- The Glassdoor Blog shares these 31 companies that are hiring like crazy in October;
- This week, The Corporate Sister discusses why we need to stop hiding as working women;
- Calling all working moms! Here are 15 of the best companies for working moms;
- Looking for a job? Everyone’s Blog Posts lists 6 top apps for jobseekers;
- Ellevate Network discusses choosing mentors for an inspired career journey;
- Business Insider shares how Trump’s new tax plan could change your take-home pay;
- The Undercover Recruiter explains what it means to work with working mothers;
- Want to reduce your heart risk? Forbes Woman advises to take on meditation;
- Corporette shares financial tips for women lawyers just starting in Big Law;
- Are you social media guru? Ellevate Network shares 5 social media tactics that can boost your career;
- If you’re a student, Recruiter shares these 9 high-paying jobs that may be perfect for you;
- Using Google Calendar? The Muse shares these 14 Google Calendar tips you won’t know how you lived without;
- Do you have a women-focused business? Ellevate Network shares marketing strategies to grow it;
- If you’re into cooking, Serious Eats shares the 22 essential cookbooks for every kitchen;
- Fall is here, and WhoWhatWear has the coolest pointy-toe boots for every budget.
Cheers!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 27, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Marisa Ottoman Dress – Photo credit: bodenusa.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
Who said the LRD is not the new LBD? Not me. This Marisa Ottoman Dress from Boden is the perfect go-to dress to throw on for a successful day at the office. I love the retro vintage look of the collar on this otherwise impossibly chic dress. The flattering shape will hug your figure all day long for a professional and gorgeous look. It’s also available in black, navy blue and deep forest green.
In a similar retro style, I also love this Sixties Jacquard Dress, also from Boden.
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 27, 2017 | Career |
As women of color, we often happen to be the only ones in the room in our workplaces. Which makes us more noticeable, but interestingly enough, also more prone to hiding at work. As double minorities, being women and being of color, it’s easy to tell ourselves that we don’t belong or don’t fit in to professional environments mostly made of white males.
I know I did for a long time…As a Black woman and an immigrant, I would take a look around and be intimidated at being the only one, or one of the only ones in the room. It also didn’t help that as an introvert, I wasn’t always used to voicing my opinion. Yet, the fact of the matter is, when we’re outnumbered, we tend to shrink and diminish our valuable contributions. We tend to hide, conform and seek not to stand apart. If you add to this the false myth of the “angry black woman” and other falsities about what it means to be a woman of color, it’s no wonder that revealing ourselves at work is far from being easy.
I was talking to a fellow corporate sister a while ago, and the conversation happened to be around her leaving multiple positions because she wasn’t accepted as who she was. This is also the dilemma of many women of color in corporate and other professional environments: “Do I bring all of myself to work, or do I hide and only show the parts of myself which are acceptable enough not to damage my career?”
In an attempt to be careful not to be perceived as “too aggressive”, or not fitting in well enough, we may tend to conform to the status quo. As a result, we may tend to bury the wealth of experiences, insight and knowledge we’ve acquired over the years, just so that we may avoid the sting of opposition and judgment.
The thing is, we don’t just bring our diplomas and resume to our careers or businesses. Every time you step into a room, you bring ALL of you, from your mindset to your unique perceptions and competence. Trying to suppress any of it not only comes at the pricey cost of restricting your skills and talents. It also deprives the world of all you have to offer.
Let’s keep it real. As a woman of color, at work or in any other setting, you may be judged and perceived differently. This is what happens with anything or anyone different, at least at first. Yet, how can we change perceptions, judgments and opinions if we’re only showing part of who we are? How can we effect change, real change, if we don’t use all the tools we’ve been given to shift the conversation?
For instance, being an immigrant may also mean that you’re brining multiple languages, cultures and an uncanny ability to adapt to changing environments to the table. And can we talk about the invaluable informal networks we have in our churches and communities?
I understood it was time to stop hiding when I realized that I was only showing up partially at work. If we want to achieve the careers and lives of our dreams, we must dare to show up as who we are. This may also mean risk more judgment, yet not bringing our whole selves to the table is also not an option.
The power of authenticity is real. If you can muster the courage to be authentic, it will help you identify the places and people who are not for you. On the positive side, it will help you pinpoint those places and people where you not only fit in, but where you can reach your full potential without compromising who you are.
Every time I see a woman of color authentically pushing through and achieving the seemingly impossible in her career, it inspires me to push harder. It’s proof that showing up as
Do you agree that we must stop hiding as women of color at work?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 26, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Herringbone Peplum Jacket – Photo credit: anntaylor.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
‘Tis the season for elegant, streamlined jackets! This herringbone peplum jacket from Ann Taylor is perfect for the office or on week-ends, and adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit. The custom tailoring is ultra flattering, while the long button-open sleeves lend versatility to it.
In a similar style, I also like this double weave collarless blazer.
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
