Get Rid of Clothes Within 2 Years of Buying Them?

I'm friends with a woman that ditches her wardrobe every season.
Straight to Goodwill or the mission. And GOOD stuff.
Damn!
Shoot--I have clothes that are older than some of my coworkers--lol!
I've never consigned my clothes, so I don't know...

Many consignment stores are very particular (perhaps not that particular, though). They're looking for still-trendy things to sell right away.

You can object, but, after all, it's their store and they can make the rules for it. And I know a few people - only a few! - who get themselves brand new wardrobes every season.

I have adopted a classic style - wearing things that fit properly and that will look all right for several years. That way I can shop at thrift stores. Yes, I have to go through a lot of dirt to find the gold! But I haven't heard complaints about what I wear (even from my children and grandchildren), so I must be doing all right.

There are people that need nice, current clothing.
But they only wear it for a short time and then purchase new clothing.

They are people that are out in Public and travel to nice places for different reasons and need to look up to date with their clothing.

CEO's, Public Speakers,Attorneys in court, Politicians, Spouses of very prominent, people that are also in the public eye.

Some women that run huge important Charities, out and about many times a week representing their charity.. I have a friend that travels a lot for her Tech company, she can be in Asia and Europe over and over in one season and needs to look fresh and updated. She also loves a good deal, clothing is not her thing, but first impressions .

And then there are women that love clothing but do not have the budget to purchase all new clothing.

Vintage clothing stores or "Used clothing stores" do not have a date, they are looking for certain styles.

I recall a Certain Texas Governor, that was not opposed to good clothes that had been placed on consignment. We always kept an eye open for things she could wear.

These are generally not clothes horses, but women that know they need to look good, but do not want to or do not have the means to spend a fortune on clothing.

That's how the consignment stores around here work. As a thrift store shopper I can tell that, for whatever reason, there are a lot of women who only keep expensive clothes for only one season. I can go to any thrift store and find lots of nice clothes less than two years old for a fraction of the price I would pay in a consignment store, and those are clothes people have given away. You won't find any Target clothes, or clothes older than 2 years old in the consignment stores here, and they are very picky about what they will take.

I know people who replace their wardrobe every season. Soup to nuts. Hey they have the money, and/or choose to spend what money they do have that way. To each their own.

Best,
F. B.

Lots of people...especially people that are into trends. I know I have done that a couple of times! But I will say I am getting better at not buying trendy items.

I do agree that is a little silly. There was a segment on our local news today where a local consinment store had a fashion show. The representative from the store was clearly reading off cards (in a monotone!) and was telling how much the store paid and how much they are selling it for. The top of the segment the store claims they sell the items for at least 70% off retail. A model walks in and the woman says her gittery top they paid 3.50 for and sell for 16, silver jeans they paid 5 sell for 40, sequin loafers paid 2.50, sell for 10, Micheal Kors watch paid $25 sell for $75. What horrible advertising!!! I would rather donate silver jeans than recieve $5 for them!!
That particular store caters to young adults-who just may sell items within the 2years. No responsibilities and most of the clothes their parents probably bought!

I've never had luck with consignment stores. A long time ago I took my clothes into one, it wasn't a high end one either, and they bought one peice. They say you can leave your stuff there and they'll donate it, I left my bag of clothes there. Guess what, next time I was there I saw my clothes for sale, the ones that they rejected, uggh. I tried a kids resale shop too and they didn't take anything but when I browse the aisles they have clothes that are worn out and faded. Now, I just donate to goodwill. I guess that doesn't really answer your specific question. Maybe you can try Craigslist.

I am amazed at the practically new designer clothes I have found at thrift shops. I have Ralph Lauren polo shirts in every color that I bought for $2.50 or under at the Saturday half price sale at my local thrift shop. They look new and I'm amazed at what I continue to find.

I am totally hooked on buying "near new" to begin with. Who needs consignment shops?

Some people and stores are all about the most recent season, just take them someplace else or donate them to the homeless shelter.

Did you check if that's a hard and fast rule?

The reason I ask-- a few years ago, I took in quite a nice load of barely worn- like new children's clothing to a consignment shop. The woman explained this policy/that policy, the brands they take, etc.

BUT, being a longtime customer-- what I have figured out is that they bend the rules for their favorite folks. Big time. Like, don't tell me that the Target-brand pants with little fabric pills on them really fits into your criteria!

I rarely buy clothes, and tend to wear them until they get funky and stretched out or too thin or whatever. I buy basic, classic things so that there's no 'trend' turnover. I guess I could care less about fashion, or spending money on it.

I have always been shocked at what consignment stores will and will not take. I've just learned not to take it personally. I figure it's their store, and therefore their potential responsibility/risk, so I am happy with whatever they decide is worth their time and space.
If you think your stuff is really good you can always list it on ebay, otherwise donate it, preferably to a women's shelter, or one of those organizations that provides gently used career clothes to low income women looking for work.

Where I sell my old clothes has no date rules like this, if they did I definitely wouldn't be able to use them. As long as the clothes are clean and not worn they will accept them, clothes that they deem not acceptable can be picked up by the owner or the store will donate them. My rule of donating things is if I haven't worn it in a year I need to get rid of it, so I would literally be only wearing things once or twice if I followed their rules. I normally get a few seasons of wear out of something (and then let it sit in my closet ignored for awhile) before I can bring myself to get rid of it.

That's kind of strange. The consignment shops by me won't accept out of date stuff of past trendy things. Maybe your stuff isn't 'classic and timeless' or is in trendy colors.

Plato's Closet here is like that. I get it - they do "gently used," not "vintage."

My weight doesn't fluctuate. If I buy something because I liked it in the store, but then decide I don't like it after wearing it a few times, I will get rid of it, even if I've only had it a few weeks. I cant' return it to the store where I bought it after it's been worn and washed, so aa p[lace like Plato's Closet lets me get back at least some of the money I wasted on it. Why keep something hanging in my closet that I know I'm not going to wear?

Find 10 pals near your size and have an at-home swap.

It's their store, their rules. Yes, I resale clothes and have been turned away, yet I see 'junk' on the racks.

I took in some suits to several consignment shops & children's clothes to
Once Upon A Time & they turned down most everything.
I gave up. Just wasn't worth my time.
I donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, women/children shelters in the area
& Dress For Success.

Too funny. I just went to the kids' consignment store. I bought a GAP shawl for my daughter there last month and she never wore it. For some reason the owner is not taking it now because of the style/condition. Hello, owner you just ripped me off last month then.

Anyway, those stores are random. Some of the stuff they take of my kids, I think, wow that is too ugly for Good Will and stuff they reject I can sell on craigslist for $15 or more. So much of the stuff I look at is worn out. I am surprised at what she takes vs what she rejects. I would say she knows what she is doing, except she is not making a profit.

I have a hard time believing they only take things less than 2 years old.

edit: I am out of style or classic. Could someone tell me what the current trend is today 2014 vs 2012?

Once upon a child, which also owns plato's closet and a few others, all have that rule. It's stupid, but it's their store and they can do what they want.

Try selling it online. Facebook has several "swap shop
groups in my area. I search by city and look for "Jefferson City Swap Shop" or "Jefferson City Buy and Sell" or "Cole County Swap Shop."

Once you find one, you'll get recommendations for several others. Join them all, read the ToS, and post photos and prices of your items according to their rules. I've sold LOTS of stuff, and bought some great items as well, through the FB groups. Be sure to be safe...no giving your home address, meet in public places, and ask for cash only.

Never heard anything like that. Ours don't do that. They don't take it if they don't think it will sell though. I had them turn down one outfit one time. I told the lady I had just bought it and it didn't fit..she took it after that and it sold a day or two later.

I've had things that I've bought, they looked fine in the dressing room, but they turned out to bug me upon wearing them in day to day wear. I try to keep hold of them for a little while in case I was just having a "picky" day but if they drive me crazy a few times I will get rid of them pretty quick. In that case I could see getting rid of something in 2 years or less. But generally, I wear my clothes until they are done.
I've tried consignment shops for my kids' clothes before. It was such a waste of my time! There was nothing wrong with the stuff I brought in. In fact a bunch of it was stuff my kids never wore because I never liked it so I didn't want to save it for another child. They even turned down perfectly good, not recalled toys. I hated them (they were almost all annoying noisy toys that lots of people covet).
I just donate everything and take the tax write off. So much easier.