Style Encore is the grown-up sibling of Plato’s Closet: a resale shop that buys name-brand women’s clothing, shoes and handbags and pays cash on the spot, with no appointment.
Style Encore is a franchised resale chain owned by Winmark Corporation, which also runs Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child. Per Winmark’s 2025 annual report, its stores “buy and sell gently used women’s (and to a lesser extent, men’s) apparel, shoes and accessories.” The brand’s own pitch is clothing “for work and life, with cash on the spot.” This guide covers what Style Encore buys, how selling and payment work, how shopping works, and how it compares with Plato’s Closet. It is part of the thrift store chains guide. Details are as of November 2026; each store is individually owned, so confirm specifics with your local store.
What is Style Encore?
Style Encore is Winmark’s women’s resale brand, franchised since 2013. Its homepage describes the concept as a place to “buy and sell gently used, name-brand clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories for work and life, with cash on the spot.” Like Winmark’s other brands, each location is “individually owned and operated,” which means hours, inventory focus and some buying decisions vary from store to store.
| Style Encore at a glance | Detail (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Owner | Winmark Corporation (franchisor), franchising since 2013 |
| Stores | 67 franchises at end of 2025, per Winmark’s 2025 annual report |
| Sizes bought | Women’s 0 to 6X; men’s XS to 3X at select stores |
| Appointment needed? | No; “We buy all day, every day” |
| How you get paid | Cash on the spot |
| Designer items | Seller certifies authenticity |
| Shopper prices | “Up to 90% off regular retail prices,” per the sell page |
| Loyalty | Rewards points for shopping and selling |
How many Style Encore stores are there?
Per Winmark’s 2025 annual report, there were 67 Style Encore franchises at the end of 2025, down from 69 at the start of the year, with 2 openings and 4 closings. System-wide sales were $61.7 million in 2025. That makes Style Encore far smaller than its sister brands; there is a real chance there is no Style Encore near you. The homepage links a “Find a Store” locator, which is the best way to check.
What does Style Encore buy?
The official sell page says: “We buy women’s sizes 0 to 6X and men’s sizes XS to 3X.” Men’s clothing is bought in select stores only, so call ahead before bringing it in.
Categories listed on the sell page:
- Clothing: activewear, blazers, dresses, jeans, leggings, pants, shirts and blouses, shorts, skirts, sweaters and tees
- Handbags: crossbody bags, satchels and totes
- Jewelry and accessories
- Outerwear
- Shoes: booties, boots, sneakers and sandals
- Men’s (select stores)
The page lists about 40 popular brands, including adidas, Coach, Gucci, Nike and Patagonia. That range, from athletic labels to designer handbags, reflects the “work and life” positioning: everyday basics alongside office wear and accessories.
Designer handbags and authenticity
For designer handbags and accessories, sellers “will be asked to certify that the item is authentic.” Bring any receipts, dust bags or cards you have. If you cannot vouch for an item’s authenticity, do not bring it in. For high-value designer bags, specialist resellers may be a better fit; the guide to where to sell designer bags compares options.
How stores decide what to take
The Cedar Rapids, IA store explains that it buys based on “our need of inventory, the condition and the brand name,” and that it looks for styles sold in stores “in the last 3-4 years.” That is one store’s guidance, but the logic is typical of buy-sell-trade shops: current styles in clean, undamaged condition from recognizable brands, in categories the store needs more of. No official list of brands Style Encore refuses is published.
How Style Encore pays
The sell page says Style Encore “will pay you cash on the spot,” with “No appointment necessary” and “We buy all day, every day.” The process mirrors the other Winmark brands: bring your items in, the buyers review them while you browse, and you receive an offer for what the store wants. Accept it and you are paid in cash.
As of November 2026, Style Encore publishes no payout percentage and no store-credit option on its official pages. Any fixed rate quoted elsewhere is an outside estimate. Offers depend on the item’s brand, condition and style, and on what that store already has on its racks.
Sellers also earn rewards points: the homepage says members “earn points every time you shop for or sell gently used items” after signing up.
Tips for a better Style Encore offer
- Bring recently made styles; Cedar Rapids, IA looks for pieces from the last 3 to 4 years.
- Wash or steam everything so it looks ready to hang. A handheld Garment Steamer on Amazon takes out folding creases quickly.
- Check for stains, pilling, missing buttons and worn hems before you go.
- Bring in-season pieces when you can.
- Call ahead if you are bringing men’s items, since only select stores buy them.
What to do with items Style Encore passes on
Every buy-sell-trade store passes on some pieces, usually because of condition, age of the style or how much of a category it already has. Since each Style Encore buys for its own racks, a pass is a judgment about that store’s needs, not a verdict on the item. Higher-value pieces can go online, a different resale chain may want what this one did not, and the rest can be donated. Deciding that before you go saves a second trip home with a full bag.
Shopping at Style Encore
Prices are the main draw. The sell page says items are “up to 90% off regular retail prices,” and the homepage says “Our prices are always much lower than regular retail.” Because stock comes from local sellers daily, what is on the racks changes constantly.
Most shopping is in store, but some locations do more. The Portage, MI store, for example, says it “can now SHIP anywhere in the continental U.S.” That is a store-level service, not a chain-wide one. Portage lists hours of Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM; other stores set their own, so check yours on the locator.
Style Encore vs Plato’s Closet
Both are Winmark brands with the same cash-on-the-spot model, but they serve different shoppers. Plato’s Closet targets “the teenage and young adult market,” per Winmark, while Style Encore focuses on women’s clothing for work and everyday life.
| Style Encore | Plato’s Closet | |
|---|---|---|
| Target shopper | Women; men’s at select stores | Teens and young adults |
| Sizes bought | Women’s 0 to 6X; men’s XS to 3X | Girls 0 to 6X; guys 28 to 3X |
| Payment | Cash on the spot | Cash on the spot |
| Stores (end of 2025) | 67 | 526 |
| 2025 system-wide sales | $61.7 million | $675.5 million |
| Best for | Workwear, handbags, everyday women’s brands | Trend-driven teen and young adult styles |
If you have a mix of trend pieces and work clothes, the two can work as a pair: Plato’s Closet for younger, trendier items and Style Encore for office wear and accessories. The guide to what Plato’s Closet buys covers that side, and stores like Plato’s Closet lists other buy-sell-trade chains. Winmark’s kids’ brand works the same way for outgrown children’s clothes; see the Once Upon a Child guide.
Scale is the main practical difference. With 526 Plato’s Closet stores against 67 Style Encore stores, Plato’s Closet is far easier to find. If there is no Style Encore nearby, Uptown Cheapskate, a separate chain covered in how Uptown Cheapskate works, buys a similar range of adult clothing.
The verdict
Style Encore is a solid outlet for women’s clothing that is too current to donate but not worth listing piece by piece online. The model is simple and fast: no appointment, review while you browse, cash on the spot. The catalog of what it buys is broad, from activewear to designer handbags, and the size range of 0 to 6X is wider than many resale shops.
The limits are reach and transparency. With 67 stores at the end of 2025, many shoppers will not have one nearby, and there is no published payout rate or store-credit option. Bring recent, clean, name-brand pieces, expect a cash offer well below retail, and use the store locator before making the trip.
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FAQ
What does Style Encore buy?
Women’s clothing in sizes 0 to 6X, plus handbags, jewelry and accessories, outerwear and shoes. Select stores also buy men’s sizes XS to 3X.
How does Style Encore pay?
Cash on the spot, with no appointment needed. No payout percentage or store-credit option is published on the official site as of November 2026.
Is Style Encore the same as Plato’s Closet?
No. Both are Winmark franchise brands with the same buying model, but Plato’s Closet targets teens and young adults while Style Encore focuses on women’s clothing for work and everyday life.
How do I find a Style Encore near me?
Use the “Find a Store” link on style-encore.com. With 67 stores at the end of 2025, per Winmark’s 2025 annual report, coverage is limited.
Does Style Encore buy designer bags?
Yes. Designer handbags and accessories are bought, but sellers are asked to certify that each item is authentic.
