Reselling with TheRealReal

The four items I dropped off at TheRealReal, three of which they accepted. 

As I mentioned in early June, after letting certain more pricey unwanted items in my closet (which I knew that neither my sister nor any of my close friends would like) collect dust for years, I finally decided to try reselling them in the only sufficiently low-effort way that would suit me: I took them to one of TheRealReal's brick and mortar shops here in NYC and dropped them off for consignment in the last week of May. Now that all the items they accepted from me - three of the four things I brought in - have been sold, I am writing about my experience reselling with TheRealReal. 

Overall, I was very satisfied with my TheRealReal consignment experience. My only real goal was to resell these items after having spent as little of my time or effort as possible to accomplish that goal. I didn't have a specific price in mind for anything I sent in. The most important thing to me was that each of the items would find a buyer, and if I only got paid a nominal amount, that was fine by me. Hopefully, the buyers of each of my things will get far more use out of them than I did. Like I did with one of my items, these buyers may even someday send the items back to TheRealReal for another round of resale when they're done with them.

Some of my items were extremely old - I purchased two of them, the Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag and the Ferragamo Varas, nearly a decade ago - and I didn't think there was much of a market for anything I gave to TheRealReal. I had no interest in continually listing or re-listing the items myself on places like eBay or Poshmark until I found a buyer. (I was actually shocked that my items sold out so fast, within a month or two of being posted for sale!) Plus, I find the chore of shipping things out far more annoying and tedious than most people would, so that was something I preferred to avoid, which left me with basically no other practical option besides dropping off these items for consignment in person. 

In terms of whether my experience is a representative one, keep in mind that the items I sent in are probably some of the most modestly priced ones in TheRealReal's entire product catalog. Just from my limited experience, I could see that they take longer to scrutinize and process some categories of items than others. And as you'll see, the pricing of your items by TheRealReal will affect the commission rate. Among other bloggers I read, Elaine (part one, part two) and Kathy have also posted in some detail about their experiences selling with TheRealReal. Both of them seem to have more experience than I do with sending in items from a wider range of categories, so their posts might be more helpful than mine, if you're thinking of consigning something.

Please follow the link below to read a step-by-step account of my TheRealReal reselling experience! 

Current "Wish List"

In the years since I started being more conscious about my shopping, I've found that the best way to be confident in my purchases is to plan them out well in advance, usually by at least a few weeks, if not months. The process that's preceded my best purchases, based on cost-per-wear and actual utility for price (different criteria from how I select my "best buys" each year, which is for items that were a successful experiment, something a little out of my comfort zone that ended up working well), generally involves mulling over an item for at least a few weeks until a good sale, or until I can no longer resist. I often have a running "wish list" written down somewhere, either in a Google Drive spreadsheet or, these days, in my notebook.

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Not everything on my "wish list" make it into my closet. Out of, say, the last sample of five such items I wrote about, in the guise of trying out a "Five Piece French Wardrobe" approach, I only followed through with probably three and a half: a down coat (though not either of the frontrunners), skinny jeans, the breton striped shirt (from J.Crew Factory), and black leather Vans instead of a leopard-printed slip-on sneaker, which I couldn't find. Sometimes, items that I consider for a long time end up completely forgotten and fall off my list, including that olive green parka for spring and fall. More recently, around Thanksgiving, I developed a sudden and irrational desire for the Lo & Sons Waverly bag, even though it was likely too small to be practical for me, and I have several other similarly-sized bags. That particular craving took weeks to subside.

My current "wish list" is as follows: 

• Dark Wash Skinny Jeans: My Rag & Bone skinny jeans (similar) lasted approximately two years before developing holes, and I've been in the market for a new pair of jeans since. Many people chimed in with helpful suggestions, and I ended up deciding to stick to Uniqlo or Gap. I'm not a huge fan of Uniqlo's current selection, so I'll be ordering and trying on Gap's selection of petite-length, dark wash, mid-rise skinny jeans (probably these or these), though one color I like was backordered, so the process has taken a while.
• Dainty Opal Ring: This has been on my shopping list for years, but I've never felt ready to purchase, even though I've bought other, similarly priced or more expensive items since. I originally wanted a simple opal solitaire like this one from Polamai on Etsy, which could have been around $200, but more recently, I've become interested in more elaborate (and expensive) designs like the Wwake organic triangle ring or the Wwake four-step ring, or maybe the Jennie Kwon Reese ring. 
• More Colorful Formal Dress: This particular item is not likely to pan out, but after wearing that blue Ann Taylor lace shift dress for no less than four different weddings last year, I started getting bored, and maybe feeling a little frumpy. (It's a pretty dress, but has no "wow" factor and fits a little loose. It's ultimately better suited for work than a party.) Except that, even after window-shopping for months, including by scouring through pages and pages of dresses on TheRealReal, I haven't seen anything I actually want to buy. Heck, I even had trouble finding one I liked solely as an illustration for this post, with no need to consider cost or practicality! I had other formal dress options in my closet, but none I was eager to wear. There was a bright purple Diane von Furstenberg Zarita dress I ended up sending to Thredup because I didn't like the way it fit (its very stretchy and body-skimming, and doesn't have much structure) and the Anthropologie Baikal dress, which maybe feels like too much "look", and isn't very "me" anymore. 
• Mansur Gavriel Large Tote: One of the changes at my new workplace is that I no longer bring a laptop to and from the office every day. The result is that my Everlane Petra Market tote, which was the perfect size for my old firm and has softened up a bit over time, now feels overly large and floppy to be my go-to work bag. A new work bag is an extravagance when I have other bags that still fulfill the purpose, but I think the Mansur Gavriel large tote, particularly in the fairly structured vegetable-tanned leather, would be the perfect size, as it looks a bit smaller and more compact than either the Petra Market or a Longchamp Le Pliage large (see other blog's comparison photos here). I think I'd get the black with ballerina pink interior, as that's more neutral than the more common red interior. 

What's on your closet "wish list" at the moment? How do you plan out your clothing purchases? Although this shopping process isn't new to me, I was inspired, several months ago now, to revisit this topic by Michelle's post about her then-current list. I then got distracted by other topics, and finally got around to finishing this draft. 

June Shopping Reflections

This was another shopping-heavy month for me, though I'm still a bit under my $170/month budget for the year so far. Because of the pay cut I'll be taking when I start my clerkship, I'm actually hoping to stay solidly under budget in future months, but we'll see what happens. 

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I wasn't expecting to make another purchase at Grana (referral link: you get 10% off your first order and I get $20 in store credit if you make a purchase) quite this soon, but I ended up received some store credit when readers signed up (thank you so much!) and I thought the navy silk tops would be a nice addition to my work wardrobe. As I mention in my review of the silk raglan tee, the product measurements on Grana's website are generally accurate. I prefer the look of my "true size" raglan tee over the sized up ones I bought last month.  My other purchases were mostly summer clothing. I also made that off-budget work shoe purchase I mentioned last month.

I don't have much shopping planned for July, outside of picking up a black slip (maybe this one from Free People or this one) to wear under that Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress (similar, but I purchased mine on consignment from TheRealReal) I bought last year. I might do a review of that classic item sometime in the next few weeks, but my general impression is this: I might be a bit too busty for the DvF silk jersey wrap dresses despite sizing way up, so I always need at least a black camisole under mine. I also recently found that there was more than a moderate danger of wardrobe malfunction with the dress's skirt as well, hence my current search for a full slip. I might also be contemplating a jewelry purchase that I'll share later this week. It isn't that ring from Envero Jewelry on Etsy, but another "made in the USA" piece from a woman-owned business. The next post in my "Transitioning to the Workplace" series will go live next Tuesday. 

Fashion - (TOTAL: $109.37)

• Grana: $39.00 + $49.00 = $88.00 - $40.00 (referral credit) = $48.00 
• Grana Silk Raglan Tee, navy, S - I love this cropped, more casual design, see my review. Note, however, that this top is a bit boxy and doesn't tuck in that well, so one of Grana's new silk tees might be better for many work wardrobes. 
• Grana Silk Classic Shirt, navy, S - While the product measurements for this are accurate, I find that the design of this one runs a slightly higher risk of gapping at the chest than the silk collarless shirt, despite somewhat similar measurements for size S. 
• J. Crew Factory Striped Flounce Skirt - $25.67 - I reviewed this here. This is a nice and light all-cotton skirt with a cotton lining and it was a good way for me to experiment with the a-line midi skirt look. Do note that it's actually navy and white, not black and white, which makes J. Crew Factory's description misleading!
• Lou & Grey Summer Kimono Cardigan - $35.70 - I purchased this linen and cotton blend cardigan because I needed another summer-weight cardigan for work. I also tried a cotton-viscose-silk blended Loft open cardigan, and while that was light enough for summer, I preferred the flowy look of this. One annoying detail: the allegedly removable waist tie is actually sewn in and not adjustable, so it dangles awkwardly when this cardigan is worn open. I'd think about cutting it off, but I also like wearing this cardigan closed.
• Cole Haan Catalina Wedge - off budget - These are on sale most places, I ordered them for around $119 on Amazon only to realize that Nordstrom Rack still had my size for a fair bit cheaper after I already started wearing them. They run a half-size large, i.e. I'm a size 7.5 for almost every shoe, but I'm a 7 here. I find these extremely comfortable and they took no time to break in, unlike some of the comfier-looking Cole Haan flats I owned in the past. I actually have a heinous time breaking in Cole Haan round toe shoes, and I can't figure out why because they aren't especially narrow.

Beauty - (TOTAL: $32.66)

• Hada Labo Gokyujun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion - $12.62 - I've lost track of how many times I've refilled this product because its been a staple in my skincare routine for ages. It isn't a miracle product, but it's a very reliable moisturizing toner that is good for adding an extra moisture boost to almost any skincare routine. 
• Timeless 20% C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum - $15.04 - I typically use the Paula's Choice C15 Vitamin C serum, which has been good for my skin and helps with fading dark spots left over after acne heals up, but it sure is expensive! That $48 bottle only lasts me about five months of daily use in the morning. I've tried the Korean O.S.T. C20, which is cheaper, but broke me out. This Timeless C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum is a dupe for the ultra-ultra-pricey Skinceuticals C + E Ferulic Serum. Because the Timeless serum is quite concentrated, both the friend who recommended this product to me and I found that our skin had a hard time adjusting. My friend started out using this daily and had a huge breakout that disappeared as soon as she stopped, though she's no longer getting any adverse effects when using it every other day. I've been having some bad skin days due to work stress and I can't tell if testing out this Timeless serum every morning is a contributing factor. 
• CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch - $5.00 - I reviewed this product and explained how I use hydrocolloid bandages as part of my acne-fighting routine here. It's a staple product for me, and I find that it sticks better and is thus more useful than the Nexcare version that is more commonly found. Note, however, that both kinds only stick well on clean, dry skin with no other products applied. It might also be more cost-effective to purchase standard hydrocolloid "blister bandages" and cut them to size, but I need these pretty rarely so I'm fine with buying the CosRx or Nexcare ones once every few months. 

Linking up with Franish and the Budgeting Bloggers this month, as usual. Please do go and check out what everyone else bought!

Party Dresses

Diane von Furstenberg "Zarita" Dress

As of yesterday afternoon, I am finally done with all my exams and schoolwork for the degree! Graduation is next week, and then I have to pack and move. 

There was a fancy party to celebrate the end of the year, and I finally got to pull out the DVF Zarita dress I bought on deep discount from Nordstrom last fall. I've occasionally contemplated looking to Rent the Runway for my fancy party needs, but never pulled the trigger on renting a dress, though it is probably my only potential avenue to dressing in a full-length gown for a special occasion. Whenever I browse the catalog, I seem to have a knack for picking out gowns with rental fees that rival the amount I normally expect to spend to own an (admittedly much less fancy) dress. I don't foresee having any other occasions that call for a gown in the near future, which means that actually trying out Rent the Runway is probably not in the cards for me anytime soon.

I bought the Zarita dress on the expectation that I could also pull it out for future office holiday parties. The possible irony is that it is simultaneously the most nightlife-appropriate dress I own (speaking as someone who generally wears Ann Taylor sheaths on nightlife outings), despite the modest neckline and its reasonable length on someone my height. The fabric is thick, slightly stretchy jersey under the lace, and it doesn't have any shape or structure of its own, which allows it to conform almost entirely to the wearer's body. It was a good purchase for me, and I expect to continue getting use from it. 

February Shopping Reflections

My fashion-related shopping for the month included some necessities, some things that I planned out, and a few things that were arguably impulse purchases (though all of those were things that I had wanted at some point). I've discussed why I don't set a concrete budget for myself while still keeping close track of my overall budget and limiting my fashion (and beauty) spending based on my other needs. Lo and behold, budget-related circumstances changed this month. My interview-related travels did not require anything more expensive than a train ticket and then I got the job! This allowed me to move funds out of the interview travel category. Some of the freed-up funds will go towards shopping. 

I might have made some of my spending choices out of a desire to celebrate, and that might also be seen in some of next month's  decisions. It isn't necessarily the best thing to celebrate one's achievements by shopping, but as long as one is careful, I don't think there's any real harm. 

I am proud of how well I have done with beauty-related purchases. The concealer was the first thing I bought at Sephora this year (an improvement over this time last year). While I still purchase many skincare items because of my complicated routine, each thing I bought was an identified "need."

Fashion - (TOTAL: $376.72)

• Two-Pack of H&M Tights - $17.95  - I couldn't find black fleece-lined tights anywhere and my old pair was in poor condition. These count as a "need." They're not fleece-lined, but were the thickest pair available at H&M at the time.
• Uniqlo Cotton Cashmere Tunic - $39.90 - I had wanted a gray sweater, but could have waited until next year. 
• Uniqlo Striped Tunic - $29.90 - A St. James-like striped shirt is something I've wanted for a long time. However, I can't really say that I was thinking about buying one anytime soon until I saw this top while shopping for the sweater. 
• Equipment Silk Shirt - $66.00 - One of the things from The RealReal. I had a 20% off coupon that dropped the price to $60, but I needed to pay rather outlandishly high shipping costs ($11.95!) which I averaged out between the two items. 
• Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dress - $66.00 - Same as above. 
• Skagen Freja Watch - $69.99 -This was a very well planned out purchase and among the things I knew I wanted to buy this year under the rules of my shopping fast. This was a sale price on what I believe is an older style. The current price for new Frejas is $125. 
• J. Crew Crystal Snowflake Necklace - $46.99 - Purchased on Ebay. I wanted this necklace a few months ago when it was on sale from J. Crew for a similar price, but never pulled the trigger. I looked for it on Ebay on impulse and was lucky(?) enough to find it. 
• Pearl Stud Earrings - $39.99 - Purchased on Amazon at a greater discount than is available now. This was a replacement and slight upgrade for something that broke. 

Beauty

• Nars Creamy Concealer in Mustard - Replacement for something that ran out.
• Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask Squeeze Mask 15 Sheets - My skin was acting up the week before my interviews and I wanted to go back to these masks because I knew for sure that they wouldn't exacerbate irritation. They're available for a good price on Amazon. 
• Missha First Treatment Essence - Bought during one of those 40% sales (strictly speaking, 30% sale plus 10% cash back) as a back-up for when my current bottle runs out. 
• Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule - Same as above. 

Linking up with Franish and other Budgeting Bloggers, which you can find here. 

Thrifting, Budgets, Ethical Shopping, etc. etc.

Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dress, purchased via TheRealReal

I'm still putting serious thought into how to be a responsible consumer while still living within my budget constraints and trying to fulfill both my wardrobe "needs" and some of my wardrobe "wants." I still don't anticipate having any good or clear answers anytime soon, but I have come to a few conclusions.

The realities of my budget dictate that fast fashion will still be part of my life, even after I graduate and begin working. I've done calculations for what my student loan payments will look like and thought about my financial and other priorities. With all that in mind, the truth is that I will still buy basics like tights or plain tank tops for layering at decidedly fast-fashion places like H&M or Uniqlo. My activewear, when I need to buy it, will most likely continue to come from Forever 21.

I have no illusions about the serious problems with how these items are produced. By making the decision to stick to the fast-fashion price point for certain wardrobe components because of my financial needs, I am contributing to global environmental and social problems. I have some of the relative economic and other privileges that could facilitate better decisions, but I also have other constraints and needs that take precedence.

I have to believe that if I do my best to approach my Uniqlo or H&M shopping carefully (buying as few items as possible with the intention that things last as long as humanly possible, often in my experience for at least two to three years even with frequent wear) and consciously, that it is enough, that it is as ethical as I can and should have to be.

If it is not enough, then I am not sure what to say because I can't easily change my approach. I can't put down $40 or more to try out a pair of fleece-lined tights of unknown durability from a more expensive brand, for instance. Heck, I don't even know if paying more for a brand means that it is more ethically produced, since one argument in both Overdressed and Deluxe is that many higher-end brands also try to cut costs and outsource production to the same factories as H&M or Forever 21.

All this is to say that I am still figuring things out and that I will be for a long time. One thing that I am more confident about is that thrift store or consignment store shopping can be a good way to get around some of the thornier issues. Just by virtue of buying things secondhand rather than at a traditional retail shop, some of the ethical issues are mitigated. One reason why I buy certain things at H&M et al. is that I am sure that I won't reliably find reasonably-priced basics like black tights elsewhere at the exact moment I need them. However, when it comes to other clothing purchases that don't arise from urgent needs, thrifting becomes a more viable option.

Quite a few of my favorite business casual appropriate pieces came to my closet by way of digging through the racks at Buffalo Exchange in the East Village. As far as I can tell from Yelp reviews and my assumptions about the wealth of other thrift and consignment options that must be out there in NYC, Buffalo Exchange is far and away not the best in the genre. Nonetheless, I've found something great almost every time I've gone. It isn't the place for higher-end pieces, but I have good luck with heavily discounted ($15-25 per sweater or silk top) like-new or very gently-used items from the likes of J. Crew and Free People. In short, I've found Buffalo Exchange to be a surprisingly great place for the graduate student who is starting to think about dressing like a young professional.

I've also recently made a first purchase at the online consignment shop TheRealReal and I found it to be a great experience. I got a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress in perfect condition for a fantastic price ($60 with a 20% off sale from the original $75 price, though it comes with $11.99 shipping, which is less nice, and buyers are also obligated to pay shipping for returns). They don't always have them in stock and what stock they get seems to move quickly, but I see myself continuing to scour TheRealReal when I have a particular type of higher-end clothing item in mind and know exactly what size I want.