Consignment shops are a great way to keep gently-used clothing from ending up in a landfill and save (or make!) a little money while you're at it. A cut above the common thrift shop, they tend to stock brand name and vintage clothing, giving you an affordable way to keep your wardrobe fresh and enjoy the thrill of shopping without regular retail sticker shock. And if you've got clothes that don't suit you anymore but you are having trouble parting with them, try consigning them to one of these shops. They'll find a good home and you'll end up with some extra money to replace them!
Ample Accents
For more than 12 years, Ample Accents has served the Valley with stylish consignment items for sizes 12 and up. Tucked away on the north side of Bethlehem on Mauch Chunk Road, this little trove stocks sportswear, business wear, pajamas, gowns and Lane Bryant jeans, along with accessories like Coach and Vera Bradley handbags and a wide selection of shoes for any occasion. Customers are often transitioning through sizes as they lose weight, and can't afford to switch out their wardrobes regularly. Ample Accents offers a great solution to one of the annoyances of trimming down. Why buy clothes at full price that will only fit you for a matter of weeks? Despite this obvious advantage to plus-size consignment, shops catering to curvy ladies are somewhat rare, but this only means choice selections come in from all around the tri-state area as consigners hear of Ample Accents and bring their gently-used goodies from farther afield. Faithful customers have found a venue here to sell their beaded jewelry and handmade cards, and that's not the only crafty component of the boutique. Submissions open in September for October's Decorate a Bra for Cancer event, a contest to benefit local charitable organizations and inspire some wild and wacky tops.
1421 Mauch Chunk Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.1994
The Attic
Operating a bit differently from other consignment shops, The Attic in Bethlehem buys clothes outright for cash or store credit. While many shops provide as wide a selection of clothes as they can, The Attic has a definite niche, serving the young and hip in the Valley. With a red and black motif and Indie music on the sound system, this is the place for colorful, trendy clothing. It's a snug little shop, but it manages to display an array of funky jewelry, including huge rings, clip-on earrings, and eye-catching pendants, knee-high boots, strappy sandals and flats, along with hipster staples like wacky sunglasses, iconic suspenders, bow ties and scarves. Another thing that sets this place apart is its collection of men's clothing and shoes. Small, but worth noting when most consignment shops cater exclusively to women's cut-price clothing needs. From sparkly club clothes to frilly lace, statement tees to killer heels, The Attic ensures that impoverished college students need not go without these basic fashion necessities. Additional locations have sprung up in Kutztown, Philadelphia and State College, and you can find even more vintage and designer bargains online.
516 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.865.2210 | atticclothes.com
Once is Not Enuff
The oldest consignment shop in the Lehigh Valley, Once is Not Enuff has been nestled on Emmaus's Main Street for more than 30 years. Step inside and take some time to sift through an almost overwhelming collection of name brand clothing, no more than two years old and marked down as much as 80 percent. There's Coldwater Creek and Ralph Lauren as well as Juicy Couture and Limited labels, so you'll find trendy togs for every age range. A whole wall of formal wear means this is a great stop if you've got a special event coming up. The inventory is touted as everything a woman would wear or use—there's much more than cute clothes here, from designer bags, shoes, and watches to perfumes, eyeglasses, and even gadgets like a hair iron. As if the savings weren't tempting enough, sign up for weekly email sales to take advantage of regular 20 percent off specials. For jewelry, no consignment shop in the Valley can beat Once is Not Enuff; everywhere you look, fine quality, estate and costume jewelry hangs in glittering stashes waiting to be discovered.
358 Main St., Emmaus | 610.967.4383 | onceisnotenuff.com
Twice Chic Boutique
The Twice Chic Boutique storefront on 3rd Street in Easton may already have caught your eye with its bounteous, well-designed window display. Inside, the couture climate continues with gentle chandelier lighting and a spacious layout. This is no secondhand jumble—clothes and accessories are arranged with care, making them a pleasure to peruse. Items here come in from across four states, and include purses, bathing suits, chunky jewelry and more. Name brands abound, and if you drop in at the right time, you might find Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Louboutin, or something even more exquisite. Then again, you might be in the mood to make a beeline for the 50 percent off rack. Whether you want a pair of cute Adidas sneakers or something more like blinged-out Hello Kitty heels, you'll find something to your taste in this artfully-organized boutique. Twice Chic offers special services to its customers and consigners, pulling items to your specifications ahead of your shopping visit, coming out for pick up or delivery (within 5-10 miles), and even hosting girls' nights out. Food and drink packages are available, and what better way to kick back with your girlfriends than a good old-fashioned game of dress-up?
129 N. 3rd St., Easton | 610.297.4242 | twicechicboutique.webs.com
RCMoore Unique/The Good Buy Girls
Wander into RCMoore Unique/The Good Buy Girls in Allentown, and you're heading down the consignment fashion rabbit hole to a wonderland of strange and interesting items. Along with the expected quality clothing, you'll find more daring and exciting things that other consignment shops hesitate to stock. This shop is really two things in one: the millinery of Rose Ellen Moore alongside the consignment/vintage shop she acquired December of last year. Her extravagant hats and fascinators have made appearances at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but they could just as easily beautify a wedding, ‘20s costume party or any occasion calling for a flamboyant headpiece. From embellished baby hats to flapper headbands to demure cloche hats perfect for fall, if you've been enchanted by headwear since the royal wedding, RCMoore delivers. This may also be one of few places in the Valley to offer charming corsets and petticoats imported from Europe. The flavor of the Continent is strong here, with a European-style socializing area for customers to gather and unwind. Rose Ellen's mission is to uplift women, supporting Hogar Crea, stocking jewelry from women-owned businesses and helping women in the workforce assemble a professional wardrobe. Between the incredible inventory and the warm, attentive service of the owners, you may lose track of time on a delightful shopping adventure!
1752 W. Allen St., Allentown | 610.434.5868 | rcmooreunique.com
UnderWired Boutique
After several surreptitious moves around Bethlehem, UnderWired Boutique may have escaped the notice of the Valley's vintage hunters. It got its name when it was originally housed in the basement of the since closed Wired Café on Main Street, and after a stint on the South Side, now operates on Broad Street. Owner Lisa O'Brien is meticulous about stocking well-constructed garments from the turn of the century through the mid-1960s, washing and repairing them by hand so you get all the glamour and none of the mustiness. As an added bonus, UnderWired shares space with Sew On & Sew Forth, a fantastic tailor who can work magic on any prized piece that doesn't fit quite right. The shop is run by appointment only, allowing O'Brien to prepare a shopping experience around your particular interests, but you can peruse most of her collection at any time at the UnderWired Etsy shop. Here you'll find bold scarves, retro frocks, and unique accessories. With inventory like this, it's no surprise that Underwired has held local themed costume parties for hit shows like “Mad Men” and “Boardwalk Empire.” They've also co-hosted a hairstyling tutorial with local petticoat purveyor Swank Underpinnings to share techniques for perfect Victory Rolls and pin-up girl-inspired hair scarves. Whether you're shopping for established tastes or developing an interest in vintage style, UnderWired offers personalized and expert attention.
91 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 484.821.0326
