Why we're that little consignment shop infused with activism

Hi! Are you new to our community here? Welcome! A little bit about us - we’re a small but mighty longtime second generation family-owned and -operated consignment shop. Our ties to our neighbors and community is strong, and we take our role as a small business with values seriously. It sometimes comes as a surprise to folks who have just discovered us in the last couple years to see that our social media account contains political and issues-focused reposting/sharing. It is interesting for us to look back at this shift in intentionality and remember the major impetus that was 2020 - when a shift in perspectives was unavoidable.

COVID chaos, anxiety brought to all new heights, and the revolutionizing protests after the murder of George Floyd were just a few reasons we felt a calling to bring intention to our business. Since our youth, activism has been a big part of the every day. Before 2020, our personal views and professional conduct was kept separate. It felt scary, inappropriate, and potentially unnecessary to join in and align our business with the shift in accountability and new narratives. Business was already so fragile with the COVID recession. Would we lose our customers who disagreed with us? Or alienate customers and followers who simply looked to distract themselves from the harshness of current events? Would we say or post the wrong thing to our growing following, and potentially have to issue public apologies? Well, to look back and answer those initial anxieties: yes, all of those things happened. And yet, our following had sometimes dipped but now has mostly grown because we see so many of you out there feeling these same sentiments and yearning for change. We refuse to allow fear of embarrassment or failure to interfere with our progressive values toward this change. Those missteps along the way have been opportunities for us to improve ourselves and try to do better, because that’s what you do when open yourself up to learning and growing. And to the customers we lost because they disagreed with our views? We’re grateful for the opportunity to have served up an alternative view to apathy, fragility, and that deep-seated fear. Whether views align or not, the hope is always that folks may open their minds to another (more empathetic) way of thinking. There are more important things than attempting to please everyone by keeping this light and disconnected.

Frankly, after all that was being brought to light, it just felt wrong to continue business as usual. We are mothers, partners, sisters. Family is everything to us. When something as simple as empathy for others comes into play, it is near impossible to see so much suffering and not do a damn thing about it. We are a small but mighty business, and we have some privilege in this world. We feel, as white people benefitting from our white supremacist society, that we have a duty to use our privilege to uplift others and be part of positive change. Even though things seem so much worse now than ever before, rolling over and giving up never feels like an option.

Between individual donations and with support from our customers and community, we have donated over $5,700 to various organizations and progressive causes since 2020. And the statistics are true – small businesses do in fact put a good percentage of our earnings back into the local community. Same with you – we see you, our devoted and intentional customers, consciously contributing to the circularity of the local economy. We truly believe in voting with our dollars. We ended ties with major suppliers Uline (ultra-conservative political contributions) and Amazon (obviously). We now choose smaller, local suppliers for our operational and retail supply needs. Herkimer and Ben’s Bread first, Starbucks and Panera never. We buy used technology and furnishments as much as possible. We hire locally for services like graphic design, accounting, signage, and more.

Is there room for improvement? Always. In 2020, we set an intention to hire more BIPOC staff and we have not been as successful with this as we had initially strived for. We can buy more frequently from BIPOC-owned businesses. We can pay our Real Rent to the Duwamish Tribe on whose land we benefit from more consistently. Though we’ve made many shifts toward reducing our resource consumption and eliminating plastic and waste, we have not fully reached our goals in that area. But we hope to continue a path toward improvement – not just as a business, but as citizens of the world.

Thank you for reading this post and having an interest in this topic. The sentiment is strong here and these thoughts on our experience with this subject just felt like they needed a home! Lastly, to all our customers, consignors, friends and supporters who stuck by us during pandemic turmoil and even told their friends about us to lend us more support – damn, we feel so grateful for you!

The great closet purge: Love it, hate it, do it

We all know the feeling: Your closet has run out of hangers, it’s getting harder and harder to stuff things in your dresser drawers, and clothing and shoes are spilling out of the furniture and organizational fixtures invented for the very purpose of containment. It’s the telltale sign: Time to purge your closet!

A rather funny thing happens on the daily here at Labels. We look through potential consignment items by appointment. At the time of scheduling, we ask how many items consigners have to bring in for their appointment so we can gauge how much time we need to process their items. Here’s the rub: We’re usually booked out a month or longer for consignment appointments, so by the time their appointment rolls around, our consigners get sheepish about how much they ended up cleaning out – usually a lot more than originally expected!

Why is this such a common occurrence? Something is triggered in our brain when we’re in purge mode. It could be that less is actually more. While our capitalist and consumerist society has tried to convince us otherwise, we do value things and stuff less than real human experiences and connection. When we’re cluttered with stuff and burdened with all the care and maintenance stuff requires, it can feel overwhelming and unfulfilling.

It feels like the clean and purge mindset is innate, sometimes brought on by certain life transitions (e.g. baby on the way, moving, new job, retirement), sometimes brought on by environmental transitions (e.g. winter to spring, summer to fall). We at Labels see this firsthand – when there is a big season shift and the weather changes, our phone rings off the hook with folks looking to consign their items. The psychology is basic human instinct: When the seasons change, it’s time to get ready for a new time of year, whether that be a bustling spring/summer filled with growth, hope and new beginnings or a very sleepy, cozy fall/winter full of hibernation. One important way we ready for weather to come is to evaluate our supply of clothing; a basic human need.

Now that we’ve explored the psychology, let’s get into how to purge (assuming you’ve overcome the hump of purge initiation – and the only tips we have for you on that one is to just psych yourself up, make time and get in there!). A good rule of thumb for keeping things around is the season challenge: If an item in your wardrobe goes through all four seasons in a year and doesn’t see the light of day, it’s time to move it along. This is always easier said than done for someone who has a hard time letting go. You may wonder if you just haven’t found the right thing to pair with that particular unworn item. Or, you don’t want to call it a loss – maybe you spent a lot of money on it. Or maybe you still love the item but your size has changed and it doesn’t fit anymore. Or maybe it doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore. If it’s that hard to wear, is it worth keeping? If, in one whole year, you were not inclined to reach for that one item and wear it, will you ever? And what use or purpose is it serving tucked away in your closet? Could it be benefiting someone else in some way? Or is it so worn and tattered it needs to be recycled (BONUS POINTS for upcycling!)?

Unless you’ve been living in a deep dark cave, you’ve heard of Marie Kondo and the KonMari method of keeping organized. In our opinion, the most valuable and easy to remember piece obtained from the KonMari method is the phrase “Does it spark joy?” And sure enough over the years, there have been pieces that don’t spark joy in us that we’ve moved on and consigned at Labels. We have the incredible privilege of witnessing our own items spark new joy for different people shopping here at Labels. This has GOT to be one of the great gifts of consignment shop life!

Absolute minimalism doesn’t work for all of us. I’m personally thinking of trends like capsule wardrobes. As a solely secondhand shopper, I never know what I’m going to find and what it’s going to add to my wardrobe, so planning for staple pieces and certain colors is just not my jam. I love the whimsical way in which my outfits come together from random pieces that have called to me out in the wild world of consignment, thrift, and vintage shops. However, for some people, there’s a lot of guesswork that goes into putting together a cohesive outfit they feel good in, and having less decisions to make in the day can be a big relief for any of us. For these folks, the capsule or minimalist wardrobe is a great fit.

Some folks just can’t wrap their head around minimizing, purging, and organizing their closet (and beyond). In comes the hired organization service (like our friends at The Tidy Magpie) to help guide you on how to make those tough decisions. Since going through personal items with someone else is, well, personal, we recommend doing some research to find the right fit that will work best for you, your personality and your current situation.

On the flipside of purging is reducing overconsumption from the get-go. The less we buy, the less mistaken purchases we make and regret because we’re just seeking that dopamine hit, the less that needs to be purged, making the whole task less overwhelming in the future. But for now, you’ve got sweaters spilling onto your floor and no more pant hangers – so go clean out that closet!

Interested in consigning with us? If it’s your first time, first research our website before making a consignment appointment to make sure it’s worth our time as well as yours to bring items in for evaluation. We are brand-selective and only accept items in like-new condition in recent styles (last 3-4 years) and occasional vintage pieces. Once you’ve checked out our website, give us a call to set up a consignment appointment!

Brand snobbery is essential for sustainability in the secondhand world

Why we’ve become brand snobs

OK, we’re not snobs per se, but the last few years have brought a shift in our thinking when it comes to the brands we select for consignment at Labels. Our level of curation has gotten more specific, with the intention of improving our sustainable place in the world as a small secondhand clothing shop.

Shifting to circular fashion

There is so much STUFF out there. Like, SO much that it’s now challenging as ever to keep up with all the brands and non-brands that appear on the daily. Even the mediums in which folks can acquire those brands are vast and continually changing. Clothing production has increased tremendously in recent years. We see it more and more at Labels. As obsessive secondhand shoppers ourselves, we see firsthand the life cycle of fast fashions: purchased online → barely or never worn due to fit/quality/style issues → donated to the nearest thrift store.

Does any of this sound familiar? This is not a blame and shame game by any means. We’ve all partaken in the linear fashion industry. A few of my favorite places to shop in my youth were H&M, Forever 21 and Marshalls. But hear us out: The prices of those items are low for a reason. Reasons with many negative consequences that maybe we can’t see or hear on the daily, but they’re there. There MUST be another way of shopping for clothes that are made ethically and sustainably while staying true to yourself, your style, and your budget.

Therefore, in tandem with some of the values that were brought to the surface for many of us during the beginning year(s?) of Covid (systemic racism, intersectionality of our actions or inaction and impact on communities of color, capitalism, and sustainability), we’ve begun to put more thought into curating our wide selection of pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories at Labels.

Clothing that lasts

When evaluating garments and shoes for consignment, a sampling of questions we ask ourselves are:

·       How is it made?

·       What is it made out of?

·       Is it hardy? Will it last washes and busy lifestyles?

·       Is it a style that will make us excited for five months, or (at least) five years?

It starts with resale value

Contrary to first impression, new online resale platforms have not necessarily encouraged fast fashion to slow down. In fact, by having more vast modes of reselling the overproduction of these items, it only encourages more linear production models from brands. And then there are the burnings.

In becoming more selective at Labels, we hope it will discourage folks from buying fast fashion and low-quality clothing in the first place. If there’s less demand for fast fashions, that in turn leads to less wasteful production, less unfair treatment of workers, and less careless disposal with massive environmental consequences.

Our choices affect our community

As a small family business, it can be hard for us to remember that we CAN and DO make a big impact. To us, community is everything. It’s part of what makes every small business so special. At Labels, we are proud to have provided a gathering space for neighbors, friends and family members to meet, connect, and shop for over 30 years. We look out for one another. We find joy in being in relationship with customers, vendors, and nearby businesses. We provide a local presence that is palpable, as opposed to the lack of human interaction and connection one experiences when ordering product online. Brick and mortars are becoming few and far between, given many challenges including but definitely not limited to existing in this technology-obsessed, device-centric, capitalist world.

Mindful shopping

You’ve heard of mindfulness by now. Ever heard of mindful shopping? We hope it can come in handy when deciding what to purchase. When shopping, these questions might be helpful to ask:

·       Why is it priced high/low/moderately?

·       Were workers paid livable wages in safe conditions?

·       Is it made of natural or sustainable materials?

·       How does it feel on my skin? My body?

·       Is it fussy to clean?

·       What will this add to my wardrobe? Is it versatile enough?

·       Is this the best possible style and fit for me? Do I LOVE what I see?

·       What is the likelihood I’ll need to return this item after ordering it?

·       Will I love it for the next few weeks, or the next few years?

Slow fashion is that buzz phrase that won’t go away, and for good reason. We will always advocate for buying used first (whether consignment, vintage, thrift, there are plenty of options here in Seattle, and beyond!). When one must buy new (because, you know, underwear), these questions might be helpful to ask:

·       Does the brand support women, BIPOC, LGBTQ communities?

·       Does the brand have authentic values, not just good marketing for greenwashing?

·       Have I done my research, or am I just clicking on ads or the first search result?

·       Am I supporting local businesses first, and small online shops second?

 

The shift is slow and ever-changing

A list of brands we love at Labels lives on our website. Not all of these brands fit the sustainable bill. However, in our decades of experience in the secondhand clothing business, we’ve noticed that some of these brands still make quality garments that last AND are still affordable and accessible to a wide range of folks.

The switch to 100% slow fashion is, frankly, slow! We will continue to offer a variety of brands in the hopes that the coming years bring mindful shopping and more affordable, wearable, sustainable fashions.

Have questions or comments on this post? Fill out a contact form or DM on Instagram to get in touch!

How to shop consignment clothing!

We’ve shared tips on selling versus consigning, laundering your clothes properly…how about shopping consignment? It’s a different world from a department store or mall experience, but not quite the same as thrifting. So, how do you tackle the consignment world? Well, not all consignment stores are the same. Try to narrow down your shop of choice to a place that typically sells brands or styles you like to wear. Designer only? Comfort and casual? Figure out your style preferences and budget ahead of time!

·         Speaking of time…make sure to allot enough time for shopping! Each piece is unique at a consignment store, so there’s bound to be lots to look through. However, since inventory is typically more heavily curated, don’t expect it to be the endless journey that thrifting is! At Labels, we sort our merchandise by type of clothing, color and size to make it a bit easier to shop.

·         List your not-allowed-to-buys: Always buying clutches but never using them? Drawn to black but have too much of it? Cross it off your list and don’t bother shopping in those sections.

·         Wear your most versatile bra/underwear combo, ensuring you won’t have that “will this/won’t this look better with different undergarments?!” thought (and regret). And wear an outfit that is easy to get on and off (i.e. no tall boots, hot sweaters, lots of buttons/zippers/ties) because there’s bound to be a lot of trying on!

·         Try on clothes first, accessorize/shop shoes last! Walk around in shoes for at least a few minutes to see if they’re comfortable enough to take home. The nice thing about secondhand shoes is they’re usually already broken in a bit, so no need to worry about how much they’ll stretch out later on.

·         Only buy things that fit now, not later! “Goal” pieces usually never work out, and by the time it does fit, it may not be your style (or even in style) anymore!

·         Start with your true size, then move around to others, depending on how much time you have and how much you’ve already found. For those who are in-between sizes, think about brands you normally buy/wear and what size you are in that brand, then look in that size. Brand sizing is all so different, so you can’t rely on everything that may fit you beautifully being in the same section!

·         Check back often! Inventory is constantly changing (on average 40 new pieces arrive daily at Labels!). If you are looking for something specific, it’s best to check back frequently so you don’t miss out on those must-have pieces! At Labels, we post lots of new arrivals on our Instagram, so you can always be browsing items in the shop right from your phone!

·         Bring your reusable bag for purchases! For so many reasons.

·         Know your shopping personality: Do you fare better with friends who give you their honest opinions? Or do you get too distracted with companions when you need to be focused on shopping?

 

There is a bit of an art to secondhand shopping, and it can take time and patience. But if you work with the time and budget you have, you’ll be able to stock your entire closet with pre-loved goods. <3