Clothing consignment shops are not thrift stores with better lighting — the business model is different, and understanding it changes how you shop and sell.
I have consigned clothes at six different shops and bought from at least a dozen over the past four years. The consignment model can work well for both buyers and sellers, but only if you understand the math. Most people walk in expecting thrift store prices or eBay seller payouts and leave disappointed. This guide, part of our Thrift and Resale Fashion coverage of affordable fashion, explains exactly how clothing consignment works, what to expect financially, and where to find consignment stores clothing that is actually worth your time.
How Clothing Consignment Shops Work
The basics: you bring clothes to a consignment shop. They display and sell them on your behalf. When a piece sells, you get a percentage of the sale price. If it does not sell within a set period (usually 60-90 days), you either pick it up or the shop donates it.
The split varies by shop but typically falls in the 40/60 to 50/50 range — you keep 40-50% of the sale price, the shop keeps the rest. Some shops offer higher percentages for luxury brands or large consignments. A few operate on a sliding scale where your percentage increases as the item sits longer (to incentivize lower pricing).
Consignment is fundamentally different from selling to a thrift store (where you donate and get nothing) or selling on Poshmark (where you set the price and keep 80%). The trade-off: zero effort after the drop-off. No photographing, no listing, no shipping, no communicating with buyers. The shop handles everything.
Selling at Consignment Stores: What to Expect
Not everything gets accepted. Consignment shops are selective — they curate their inventory to match their customer base. Most shops will reject items with visible wear, outdated styles (usually more than two seasons old), fast-fashion brands, and anything that smells or has stains.
Here is what consignment shops typically want:
Mid-range to premium brands in current or classic styles. J.Crew, Banana Republic, Madewell, Eileen Fisher, and similar brands sell well on consignment. Fast-fashion brands (H&M, Zara, Forever 21) are usually rejected. Designer brands (Gucci, Prada) are sometimes accepted but more commonly directed to luxury consignment platforms like The RealReal.
I brought 15 pieces to a local consignment shop — a mix of J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Target brands. They accepted 8 of the 15 (all the J.Crew and Banana Republic pieces, none of the Target). Of the 8 accepted, 5 sold within 60 days. My total payout: $87 on items that originally retailed for about $600 combined. That is about 14.5% of retail value, which is typical for mid-range consignment. The pieces that sold fastest were a Banana Republic wool-blend blazer (sold in one week for $38, I received $19) and a J.Crew cashmere cardigan (sold in 10 days for $45, I received $22.50). The items that lingered were cotton basics — consignment shoppers want pieces that feel premium on the hanger. Clothing Garment Rack on Amazon
Buying at Consignment Shops vs. Thrift Stores
Consignment shops price higher than thrift stores but lower than retail. A J.Crew blazer that costs $148 new and $8 at Goodwill might sit at $35-50 at a consignment shop. You are paying more than thrift, but the quality bar is higher — consignment shops have already filtered out the damaged, worn-out, and low-quality pieces.
The shopping experience is also different. Consignment shops are organized by size and style, the inventory is curated, and the pieces are in good condition. Thrift stores are a treasure hunt — more variety, lower prices, but more digging required. If your time is worth more than the price difference, consignment is more efficient. I timed my shopping at both: a consignment shop visit averages 25 minutes and yields one to two quality pieces. A thrift store visit takes 40-50 minutes for a similar result, but at roughly half the per-item cost. Over a year of monthly visits, the consignment route cost me about $180 more but saved roughly 5 hours of browsing time.
I shop both. Thrift stores for basics and brands I know well (where I can assess quality quickly). Consignment for categories where quality matters more and I want to try things on without risk — blazers, dresses, and outerwear. For more on thrift shopping, see our Second Hand Shopping guide.
Best Consignment Shops and Platforms
Local independent consignment shops. These vary enormously by location, but the best ones are curated with care and staffed by people who know fashion. Ask friends for recommendations, check Google Maps reviews, and visit in person. The best local consignment shops develop a loyal following because their curation is sharper than any algorithm.
Buffalo Exchange. A national chain with locations in most major cities. They buy outright (immediate cash or store credit) rather than consigning, which means instant payment but lower payouts. Expect 30-35% of their selling price in store credit or 25-30% in cash. They accept a broader range of brands than traditional consignment, including some fast-fashion labels if the piece is in demand.
Plato’s Closet. Focused on teens and young adults. They buy outright like Buffalo Exchange. Payouts are low ($3-10 per piece typically) but immediate. Best for offloading large volumes of trendy casual wear quickly.
The RealReal. Online luxury consignment for designer brands. Commission rates are 40-55% depending on the item and your seller level. The authentication process is thorough, which gives buyers confidence. Best for selling luxury items that would sit unsold at local shops. Consignment Clothing on Poshmark
ThredUp. An online consignment model where you send a clean-out bag and they handle everything. Convenient but payouts are the lowest of any platform — expect $1-10 per item for mid-range brands. The economics only work if you value convenience over money and have a large volume of clothes to offload.
How to Get the Most from Clothing Consignment
Clean everything before consigning. A pressed, clean garment sells faster and at a higher price than a wrinkled one. Some shops will reject items that arrive wrinkled because they do not want to invest labor in presentation.
Bring seasonal items at the right time. Consignment shops want winter coats in September, not March. Summer dresses sell best when consigned in April. Most shops operate on a two-month lead — they want inventory that will be in demand within the next 60 days. I learned this the hard way when I tried to consign a wool peacoat in April — two shops turned it down because they were clearing winter inventory, not adding to it. I held it until September, brought it back, and it sold within three weeks for $55.
Ask about the markdown schedule. Most shops reduce prices by 20-30% every 30 days to move inventory. If your items have not sold after the first month, they will be marked down. Some shops let you set a minimum price below which they will not drop — ask about this at drop-off.
Negotiate the split on high-value items. If you are consigning a $500 designer piece, most shops will negotiate a better percentage than their standard rate. This is especially true at independent shops where the owner has pricing flexibility.
The Verdict
Clothing consignment shops work best as a low-effort way to clear your closet of mid-range to premium pieces. Do not expect to get rich — you will earn roughly 15-25% of original retail value on items that sell. But the effort is minimal, and the alternative is often donation (which pays nothing). For buying, consignment shops offer a curated secondhand experience with less digging than thrift stores, though at higher prices. My advice: sell through consignment when you have quality pieces you want to offload without the hassle of online listing. Buy from consignment when you want a thrift-like discount with a retail-like shopping experience. And check Where Can I Sell My Prom Dress and Actually Get Paid if you have formal wear specifically — those sell better on online platforms than in most consignment shops.
FAQ
How much do consignment shops pay for clothes?
Most shops give you 40-50% of the selling price, which typically works out to 15-25% of the original retail price. A $100 retail blazer might sell for $35 at consignment, and you would receive $14-17.50. Luxury consignment (The RealReal) pays 45-60% of the selling price, which is better because the selling prices are higher.
What is the difference between consignment and thrift stores?
Thrift stores buy donated inventory and set their own prices. Consignment shops display your items and split the proceeds when they sell. Thrift stores are cheaper for buyers and pay nothing to sellers. Consignment is more expensive for buyers but pays sellers a percentage. Consignment shops also curate more selectively than thrift stores.
What brands do consignment shops accept?
Mid-range and above: J.Crew, Banana Republic, Madewell, Eileen Fisher, Anthropologie, and similar brands. Most reject fast-fashion labels (H&M, Zara, Shein) and require items to be in current or classic styles with no visible damage. Luxury brands (Chanel, Gucci) are typically directed to specialized luxury consignment platforms.
How do I find clothing consignment shops near me?
Search Google Maps for “clothing consignment” plus your city. Check Yelp reviews for quality and selection ratings. Ask for recommendations in local Facebook groups or Nextdoor. Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet are national chains with location finders on their websites, though independent shops often have better curation.
