Everybody's a winner here.

Treasure-hunting? Scoop up the goods you want at great prices.

Overcrowded closets? Find a new home for your once-treasured belongings. Some stores offer money for goods, some don’t. Some are consignment, which means you're paid only when your items are sold. Other stores benefit charitable organizations, such as a children’s hospital, and provide a tax write-off.

These local resale shops will help you do both.  All of these stores invite serious shoppers to seriously shop.  

 

In-season Clothes for the Younger Crowd     
Designer Labels
Vintage Clothing

Specialty Items                                            
Home Furnishings

Donations to a Good Cause

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In-season Clothes for the Younger Crowd  

 

Crossroads Trading  (Multiple Locations)

Crossroads Trading is a chain of resale shops. Its two Chicago locations, in Lincoln Park and Wicker Park, put Crossroads at the literal crossroads of the young and hip. Racks and racks of neatly-arranged clothing, bright walls and good lighting make this a pleasant shopping environment. There are loads of shirts and jeans here, all of it fashionable and bound to appeal to the throngs who head to these neighborhoods to eat, drink and shop. Come here if you are looking for something cool but not far-out, a little on the neater, more corporate side.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS:  Not consignment. No appointment. The Milwaukee Avenue location has a drop-off service where you can leave your clothes and come back 24 hours later for your cash. They welcome designer labels, such as Betsy Johnson and Gucci.     

www.crossroadstrading.com

 

Elliottt Consignment  (Lincoln Park & Lakeview)

A casual boutique resale shop with some brand names, like Versace and Ann Taylor, with a lot of great jeans and nice jackets to browse through. Elliott Consignment is perfect for a young professional just starting out, needing to build a wardrobe quickly at low prices. Clothes are casual and business casual. You never know what you’ll find here. Jeans are $16 to $68, jackets are about the same. The basement is a haven for bargain shopping with most items 50 or 75 percent  off.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Call either store for more information on selling your goods.

 

Plato’s Closet  (Lincoln Park)

Hand-me-downs never looked this trendy. Teens, students and young adults are scooping up the shop's gently-used, brand-name and designer clothes that arrive here every day, all looking right at home in the neighborhood. This is one more link in a chain of stores that don't look like chain stores.  Here you can find denim in low-rise jeans, destroyed and deconstructed jeans, miniskirts, ankle-length and jean skirts. Actually, denim in just about everything, including notebooks, belts and handbags. Definitely the place for trendy teens, not to mention teeny-tiny sizes.   

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Not consignment. No appointments. This store is looking for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Banana Republic. A complete list of all that they are accepting is on the website.    

www.platoscloset.com

 

Recycle Men's & Women's Designer Resale  (Wicker Park)

This 3,000 square-foot store looks like a warehouse. Not surprisingly, it sells clothes at warehouse prices. A Wicker Park branch of Cynthia's Consignments, Recycle It is a fashion hybrid. Along with its big, bargain-priced resale inventory, you'll find deeply discounted clothes from top stores in the area. And shopping in this huge space is easier than you might imagine. Clothes are organized by actual size, which means that size tags that don’t reflect contemporary standards are noted and placed in the correct area. The staff is extremely helpful in helping you find what you're looking for. And a rack of choice selections saves time spent picking out the very best from the rest.   

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Clean, pressed, and on a hanger. Clothes must be less than two years old. Clothing is priced at 30 to 35 percent of retail, and the proceeds are split 50-50. Items are kept for 90 days.  

 

Una Mae’s Freak Boutique   (Wicker Park)

Wicker Park is a great area for resale shops and used clothes, but this store is a deliberately nostalgic standout. Outside the store, a "try-me" astrological machine from the 1980’s and a rack of $4 clothes are surefire attractions. Some of the clothes are new – and easily identifiable. But the walls are lined with must-have used clothing, like plaid and corduroy skirts, and other iconic clothes from the 80’s that seemed dorky then but nostalgic-hip now. Period sunglasses and leather jackets are other great items here. If you’re looking for wearable pieces that bring back memories, this store’s for you.

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Designer Labels  

 

Cynthia’s Consignments  (Lincoln Park)

This shop is a fashionista’s dream, where you'll find high-end brands at 30 to 35 percent off their original prices. Owned by a former model and Miss Illinois, this store offers one-of-a-kind items and super upscale brands, like Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Dolce Gabbana and Armani. Items are available online at eBay as well. Cynthia’s also carries a large collection of wedding dresses, slips, veils, and mother of the bride gowns. Most of the formal wear is 50 to 80 percent off.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Clean, pressed and on a hanger. Clothes must be less than two years old. Clothing is priced at 30 to 35 percent of retail, and the proceeds are split 50-50. Items are kept for 90 days.     

www.cynthiasconsignments.com

  

The Daisy Shop  (Gold Coast)

Gentlefolk who are used to luxury appreciate the value of gently used couture. This is a destination store for people with expensive tastes and a desire to enhance their wardrobes with not-quite-so-expensive clothing. The labels here include Prada, Chanel, Vera Wang and Sam Kori George. Don’t go here if you can't spend four figures for resale fashions. But the prices are high because these pieces are top-drawer, and will often become collectors' items. The shop also has estate jewelry and vintage purses. Fashion lovers around the world shop on the store's website and receive its bi-monthly newsletter, by subscription only.  If you wish to subscribe, you must opt-in by emailing them at editor@daisyshop.com.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: If you have gently used, authentic couture fashions, either contemporary or vintage, then the Daisy Shop is interested. Vintage is anything older than 25 years and contemporary is younger than five years. That is what the store takes because that is what their customers are seeking. Merchandise must be in pristine condition. Clothes are sold on consignment with 60 percent for the shop and 40 percent for the supplier. You may send clothes in a box or bring them in. They will determine how many of the pieces qualify. Clothes that don’t qualify are donated.   

www.daisyshop.com 

 

Duomo Men's Designer Resale  (Lakeview)

One of Duomo partners is the fashion-conscious owner of Cynthia's Consignments. And even though this Lakeview store is devoted to men, her marketing philosophy is consistent: hot clothes at cool prices. Lots of Armani, Zegna and Gucci should keep men with an eye for fashion and a small budget happy. The best finds here are in the men’s suits from Italy. Much of the clothing is new.

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Clean, pressed and on a hanger. Clothes must be less than two years old. Clothing is priced at 30 to 35 percent off retail, and the proceeds are split 50-50. Items are kept for 90 days.     

www.cynthiasconsignments.com/otherBoutiques.htm

 

Store B   (Wicker Park)

Store B specializes in clothes Jackie O might have worn. Here you’ll find vintage fashions, mainly from the 1950’s and 1960’s, in everything from jackets for men and women to shoes and hats, mostly from European designers. Handbags, also vintage, are the best bet. For $65, you get something unique with a great story attached to it. Who knows whose wallet once nestled inside that bag? You'll find furs, gloves and blouses, too. Although the blouses are a bit loud, they’re worth a look. Store B is a great place for those in love with designer fashion from the days when women wore hats and gloves.  

 

White Chicago  (River North)

Need a wedding dress? Want to recoup the cost of a wedding dress? White Chicago has a huge collection of gorgeous, designer wedding dresses and veils on consignment from around the country. All clothing is in pristine condition with 70 percent of them arriving directly from high-end designers and stores. Dresses are 30 to 70 percent off the original price.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: To submit a dress, make an appointment through White Chicago’s website. They accept shipments from out-of-towners, but the dress must be approved beforehand. White Chicago only accepts dresses that are in pristine condition, less than four years old, with some exceptions, and with original retail prices over $1,500.  Have the original sales receipt.  Must be like new and dry-cleaned. Gowns are kept nine months. Consignor gets half the proceeds.    

www.whitechicago.com  

 
Photo courtesy of Natalia Tupikow Photography.

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Vintage Clothing

The Daisy Shop (see Designer Labels section)

Night & Day Vintage (see Home Furnishings section)

 

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Specialty Items

 

Reckless Records  (Lakeview & Wicker Park)

Is it a store or is it an addiction? Some people come every day. Some stay for hours at a time. Reckless Records has a wide selection of music, mostly the kind that's overlooked by large chain stores and mainstream radio stations, like Guided by Voices and the prolific Robert Pollard. CDs are organized alphabetically. New fans of independent music will appreciate the informative descriptions on the CD covers, and the listening station with employee picks. You'll find new releases here as well as used CDs and records, and new and used DVDs. Indie rock fans, especially ones who still like records and 45s, should make a beeline for  Reckless Records. They also have in-store concerts, and flyers for music venues and upcoming concerts.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR SHELVES: Reckless Records will consider most music, even cassette tapes! Music lovers with vast collections can make an appointment to have someone check the collection out and assess its worth. They claim on their website to have the best prices. They won’t cheat you on rare items. And they offer 20 percent more for store credit than for cash.     

www.reckless.com 

 

Selected Works Bookstore    (Lakeview)

Tucked away in the bottom floor of an apartment building is this no-frills, barebones bookstore with books neatly stacked on the floor and on the shelves. Like most used book stores, you won’t find many copies of the latest releases, but if you’re looking for the works of Saul Bellow or a copy of Catcher in the Rye with notes in the margins, this is the place. A few walls of pulp fiction thrillers would tide even the most avid reader over for a summer of beach reading or a winter in a snowbound cabin. Rare books and sheet music are also available.   

CLEAN OUT YOUR SHELVES: Bring your box of books during hours of operation, or for large selections, call the store.   

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Home Furnishings  

 

Night and Day Vintage(Roscoe Village)

Those great, bright-colored vinyl chairs from the 70’s have found a home at Night and Day. This store specializes in all things vintage, from furniture to clothing and handbags. In fact, they boast the best selection of vintage clothes this side of the Rockies. A leopard print lounge chair catches the eye first, and the shark on the wall might get an eye roll, but it would be perfect for a den or rumpus room. The wall of hats is inspired.     



Night and Day takes some of its wares on the road to the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. And in the summer they have live music in the shop. This is the store to go to if you are looking for a retro touch for your home or wardrobe.   

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Call the store to see whether they are accepting more clothes and furniture.     

www.nightanddayvintage.com 

Photo courtesy of Night & Day Vintage. 

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Donations to a Good Cause

The Bottomless Closet   (River North)

445 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL
312.527.9664

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: The clothes you don’t need anymore can help turn someone else’s life around. Good suits, blouses, handbags, shoes and other accessories are needed by The Bottomless Closet to assist low-income women in their quest for a good job. Find out what the Closet is accepting and schedule an intake appointment at 312.527.9664. Intake dates are generally the second Saturday of the month, except for September and January.     

www.bottomlesscloset.org 

 

Brown Elephant Resale Store  (Multiple Locations)

The resale superstore in Boystown is a super-flea market! Just about everything under the sun is here – appliances, clothes, shoes, handbags, pots and pans, furniture, books, music, sporting equipment, home decor. Mainly self-service, with little staff on hand to help or answer questions. But things are cheap, like really cheap. Books are 50 cents. Most jeans are less than $10, shirts usually less than that. This is a must-see for resale store lovers and bargain hunters. You won’t find large appliances, but you won’t find broken electronics either. And shopping here is completely guilt-free, thanks to the basement prices and the fact that all funds help the Howard Brown Health Center, the Midwest’s best health care facility for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: The Brown Elephant accepts donations that are clean and in good condition. All electronics must work. They also take computers. But they do not take mattress, strollers or textbooks. For more information on acceptability or for a pickup of your donations, call 773.549.5943.

 

Children’s Memorial Hospital Store   (Lincoln Park)

Run by the Women’s Board of the Children’s Memorial Hospital, this 12,000 square-foot resale shop is loaded with good stuff at great prices. Ties are $1. Designer blazers are $50, no matter how much they originally cost.  

The store is also known for art and artifacts, tableware, furniture and electronics. They even get fur coats. Things turn over quickly here, so what you see today may be gone tomorrow. Come in for the thrill of finding real bargains, and the satisfaction of knowing that all proceedings benefit the hospital.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: All donations are tax deductible. Stop by with your items when the shop is open – starting at 10am every day but Sunday. Donations can also be picked up. Call or email to make an appointment.     

www.childrensmemorial.org 

 

Hidden Treasures  (Gold Coast)

You'd think you'd found a hidden treasure even if you didn't know the name of the shop. This tiny Gold Coast store may look too small to be raising big bucks for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. But that's what it does, thanks to the quality of the donations and the low prices that keep things moving out the door almost as soon as they arrive. Among the hidden treasures are men's and women's clothing, lingerie, jewelry, shoes, furniture, lamps, artworks, and loads and loads of used books. If you’re shopping on the Magnificent Mile, stop in for some guilt-free bargain shopping. Open 10am-6pm, Monday-Saturday.  

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS: Donations of furniture as well as clean clothes, shoes, books, etc. are welcome. Call for more information about dropping off items or arranging a pickup.


 

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer - C. Magnotta.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews.  Publ. 12/06.