Bargain Finds
Resale
Armani Wells
This Valley staple has been selling higher end men’s designer apparel for 60%-85% below retail for over 15 years. Catering to entertainment industry insiders, owner Claudia Wells selects only the best in higher end apparel. Using her discriminating taste and cutting edge fashion sense, she quickly pulls unique items for her clients and helps them develop their perfect look
Great Labels
Wanted: Fabulous designer fashions for less! That’s what you’ll find at Great Labels Designer Resale Boutique in Santa Monica. Here you’ll save 50%-90% on women’s designer clothing in everything from Haute Couture to Urban Outfitters.
Every garment at here is handpicked by savvy owner Andrea Waters. For the past 15 years she’s been haunting the closets of the rich and famous, picking the best of the best to resell at her boutique.
Karma Clothing
You’ll feel instantly welcomed at Karma Clothing in Hermosa Beach. This hip women’s resale boutique has a “feel good” vibe like no other. With steep savings of 60%-85% on higher–end designer clothing, you’re gonna totally dig shopping here!
You’ll find fun, fashion clothing here by Armani, Guess, Ralph Lauren BCBG, Laundry, Bebe, Calvin Klein, Tessori, Hollister, Splendid, Zara, Odille, Barney New York, Tory Burch, Banana Republic, Kensie, French Connection, Ellie Tahari, Old Navy, Free People and more.
Silverlining
Love a great fashion find at a bargain? Then you’ll adore The Help Groups’ Silverlining.
This cool resale shop carries better designer clothing, both new and gently used for men, women and children at 60%-95% off original retail. Really! Designed to be student training center for the Help Group. Everything is donated and then resold to fund various programs the Help Group runs for children with special needs related to Autism, ADHD etc.
Back to School Necessities
It’s time to get down to the necessities of back to school shopping. Every kid is going to need some kind of back to school supplies, shoes and few pieces of clothing.
If you haven’t already, do go through your kids closets, drawers etc and see what they have that still fits and will work for school for the next few months. Make sure they have enough supplies , that all pens work, calculators have fresh batteries etc.
Then make a list of what they need.
Children’s Orchard
New and used apparel for children. Savings of 20%-40% on new apparel, usually overruns or liquidations. Nice presentation of Infant through Pre-Teen apparel in good condition with some furniture, toys, book, videos.
Childrens Resale Stores
Shopping at kids resale stores when my daughter was little was a real budget saver. She had a great wardrobe and we didn’t have to spend much. Even now at 13, we go in to our local store and I let her pick a couple of items. I used these stores to pick up books, videos/DVDs, shoes, furniture… anything I may have needed at real budget prices.
Deja Vu Fashions
Back when I was teaching at Scripps College in Claremont, I used to stop into Déjà Vu Resale. I hadn’t been in a long time, so it was time to go back.
Wow… this women’s resale shop has gotten even better. They are bigger, have a better selection of designer goods for women as well as vintage clothing for gals and guys….and they even have a small room with vintage home décor finds…. All at 30%-90% below retail everyday!
Encore Nouveau Boutique
Valley bargainistas have a “new on the scene” women’s resale boutique, Encore Nouveau. Not quite your typical resale boutique, this cute, cutting edge, fun boutique is filled with a well edited of women’s designer resale, vintage and new designer samples at 40%-80% off the original retail.
Across the street from It’s a Wrap, you won’t find the upper crust of designers. Just stylin quality fashion designer duds at super affordable pricing.
Entre Nous
This small resale boutique packs a serious punch with real deals on real couture women’s apparel. Gucci, Versace, Marni, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Diane Von Furstenburg, Richard Tyler, Missoni, Badgley Mischka, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs and more grace the racks and shelving here at 40%-75% below market prices.
La Belle Armoire
Mom taught me to buy the best quality I could afford… the problem was I rarely could afford the best quality in anything. So I started haunted resale clothing, furniture and appliances stores, occasionally buying the best quality and style for far less.
So when I walked into La Belle Armoire in Costa Mesa, I knew immediately I had fallen into a gem.
Magnolia Commons
This recession has changed some shopping destinations for the better. Cool, funky vintage stores along with antiques stores and consignment stores are popping up all over Burbank lately. New on the scene is The Magnolia Commons.
Technically it’s a women’s and gents resale store. But unlike other stiffer consignment stores it has a cool vintage / classy vibe to it that compels you to shop for one of a kind treasures.
Once Upon a Child
A larger resale store with a terrific selection of cribs, furnishings, toys, strollers, hi-chairs, books, bedding and apparel from infant to size 12. Good selection of labels from boutique brands to department store. Savings are 50%-85% off original retail
Simply Vintageous
I love vintage apparel. But because it’s now considered chic to wear all things vintage, the prices have sky rocketed.
You’ll find more down to earth prices on coveted vintage pieces at Simply Vintageous on Melrose Ave. This Pop Up has a well edited selection of vintage evening gowns, outer wear, separates and sportswear from coveted, well know labels to bargain basement womens’ resale items at 20%-65% below market.
The Mint Fashion Exchange
Some recommendations are better than others. So I jumped on the opportunity to check out a Simi Valley resale boutique. The Mint Fashion Exchange offers Simi Valley bargainistas a great source for bargain shopping for better quality brand name and designer clothing in mint to near mint at 50%-85% off original retail
The Xchange
Eagle Rock is nestled between Glendale and Pasadena, hosting an eclectic artistic vide with indie shops and restaurants. You can add to that list, new on the scene, eclectic women’s resale boutique The Xchange.
Opened just under a year, owner Marissa Larry opened up The Xchange with the idea of recycling women’s fashionable wardrobe pieces…. And she’s picky, which shows in the well edited, fashion selection here all priced at 50%-85% off original retail.
Top 10 Bargain Sources for 2012
Here they are…our top 10 new Bargain Sources for 2012!
Every year we research dozens of new stores, outlets and discounters. Out of these we pick the top ten new sources for each year. It isn’t easy, but here they are.
See if you agree.
Wear It Once, Wear It Twice
I started shopping children’s resale stores when our daughter was born. I saved thousands of dollars on her wardrobe, toys, books, furniture etc. Considering it costs over 200,000 to raise one kid to age 18, saving money is important, no matter what income bracket you’re in.
For parents in the San Fernando Valley, a good resource is Wear it Once Wear it Twice children’s resale in Burbank


