Words & Photos Tanya Murchie
“Style never expires; that’s why I shop preloved.”
Consignment shopping is the purchasing of preowned or gently used items from a store or online. This sustainable way of shopping is less expensive and more fun. However, some days are better than others for finding the perfect item(s)!
A few weeks ago, I asked my artist extraordinaire friend, Marion Evamy, to join me for a day of consignment shopping. Marion is the owner of the newly-opened RED ART GALLERY in Sidney. We decided to check out what Sidney and nearby Victoria had to offer in terms of items we could add to our existing wardrobes. There has to be some criteria before shopping, such as: stay hydrated, wear comfortable clothing, don’t buy unless you really like it, keep an open mind, try something you may have never thought of, remember that sizes can vary greatly and always ask for an honest opinion.
Marion’s purchases:
Look #1 Classic white jeans are timeless, casual and dressy. The shirt screams Marion – fun bright energetic colours that reflect her style of painting.
Look #2 This was Marion’s favourite outfit: flowy pink skirt (her favourite colour), rhinestone belt and show-stopper jacket. All pieces can be mixed and matched with other items.
The BEST purchase was the black-and-red soled, soft leather Christian Louboutin boots. These gems normally are priced over $1,000 and Marion got a steal for $150. Wish they fit me!
Tanya’s purchases:
Look #1 Black and white is the basis of my wardrobe, so the checkered dress that fit perfectly was a pleasant surprise. The dress works equally well for work, dinner out or a date night. My favourite purchase was the Smythe white linen, fitted blazer with gold buttons. I know that I will wear the blazer with jeans, skirts and over dresses. Gold shoes, yes indeed, why not add a little pizzazz to any outfit? The block-heeled stunners are practical and comfortable.
Look #2 Yes, another blazer – this time a menswear-inspired oversize lime green style. Not a colour I would normally pick, but like I said, keep an open mind! It pairs well with black, white and denim.
Other Items: Be on the lookout for accessories such as, hats, purses, sunglasses, necklaces and even bracelets. The Kate Spade turquoise sunglasses and bracelets are just fun.
We ended up having a fun day and found lots of great items. I think the consignment shopping trend is here to stay and hopefully in the future, Sidney will have a few more shops.
Sustainable fashion in the area:
- House of Lily Koi, Sidney
- A La Mode, Victoria
- House of Savoy, Victoria
- Mona Consignment, Victoria
- Turnabout, Victoria
- Postmark online shopping where you can find numerous interesting items.
This is just a few of the places we ventured to. Remember: have FUN!
