MANUAL
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TRADING CLOTHE$ FOR CA$H Feel better about last year's impulse buy
// ANDREA OLSEN
One person's trash, another person's treasure: Trent Thompson, Overland Park junior, shops at Plato's Closet, 3514 Clinton Pkwy, Stores such as Plato's Closet, Wild Man Vintage and Arizona Trading Company give you the opportunity to sell your old clothing, or trade it in for what they have in stock.
Tucked back in the depths of your closet there's that one forgotten shirt — the one that you always skip over when you're picking something to wear for a night out. The one with the tags still on it.
It's the one that looked great when you tried it on, but once you brought it home you hated it. Now, you never wear it and seeing it always makes you feel a little guilty.
Everyone has at least one of these items in their wardrobe, but why not turn it into a positive thing?
Many stores in town buy back your gently used clothing, offering you cash or store credit in return. So that impulse buy that's taking up space in your closet can be traded in for some extra money or something you like better.
Kim Livingood, Lawrence junior, has been trading her clothes since she was in high school. She says she comes as often as twice a season to both Arizona Trading Company and Plato's Closet hoping to get cash for her old clothes. Not only does she sell her old clothes back but she regularly shops at each store to find new items for her closet. She says it's a great way to make extra money and a great way to save money as well.
If you've got a shirt that's making you feel guilty, here's a rundown of local resell stores to help you get started. Let the closet purging begin.
Plato's Closet 3514 Clinton Pkwy
GOOD FOR: Those super high Steve Madden heels that kill your feet because you bought a half-size down. (But they were on sale!) Or those Ed Hardy shirts you thought were so cool until you saw Ion Goselin wearing them.
Plato's Closet specializes in name-brand clothing, so if you have a lot of high-end labels this may be your place. There's tons of selection if you're interested in buying.
The clothes are inspected based on style and condition as well as whether the employees think it will sell in the store. Allyson Nichols Leawood senior who works at Plato's Closet, says the business prices clothes based on the brand first, then the condition. So a high-dollar brand will start you off with more cash back and then the condition of the piece gives you more on top of that.
Nichols says Plato's Closet takes clothes no more than two years old and they have to be in pretty good condition. The business also takes accessories such as belts, purses and jewelry as well as shoes.
Wild Man Vintage 939 Massachusetts St.
GOOOD FOR! The vintage floral mini-dress you bought for last year's Woodstock-themed sorority party. (There's a new theme this year.)
If you have a collection of vintage clothing in excellent condition, Wild Man Vintage would love to buy some of it.
Lacy Myers, Kansas City, Kan., nontraditional student who works at Wild Man, says the business buys older styles, specifically the 1970s and 1980s. She says they do take some newer things from Urban Outfitters and American Apparel, depending on the style and condition.
But don't be fooled by the fact that Wild Man's clothing is older; it still has to be in good condition. Neesa Hussain, a Wild Man employee, says employees always check the seams and zipper for tears and signs of wear. The business buys clothing based on the season and according to what it already has in stock.
Once employees price what they want to buy back, you have the option of taking 40 percent of it in cash back or 60 percent in store credit.
Arizona Trading Company 734 Massachusetts St.
GOOD FOR: All of those men's button-downs that are now gaping between the buttons. (Looks like your bar tab has been affecting your waistline.)
Arizona Trading Company covers everything from vintage to high-end clothing, as long as the items are current styles. Lisa Roberts, an employee at ATC, says the business takes both unique pieces and good name brands, as long as employees think it will sell. ATC buys its clothes seasonally, so if you're looking to trade now, bring in fall styles.
Like Wild Man Vintage, ATC gives you two options for your money. You can take 35 percent in cash, or take 60 percent in store credit. Roberts says the business keeps your store credit on file for up to six months, so it doesn't have to be used right away. Justin Wilson, Wichita senior, used his store credit to buy what he says is his favorite sweater of all time, and a couple other items.
"Trading your clothes gives you something for nothing, because otherwise I would have just thrown away those unwanted clothes," Wilson says.
The styles Lawrence stores are looking for this season
FALL STYLES
- Neutral colors *
- Knee-high boots *
- Name-brand jeans *
- Anything plaid (men's and women's) *
- Men's Western shirts *
- Clothes with ruffled details *
* High-waisted skirts *
- Military-style jackets *
- Winter coats (men's and women's) *
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