THE CONSIGNMENT COAST: Locals don't need to let fashion fall victim to the budget ax

If times are tough at your house but you need new clothes, consider consigning what you have and then buying almost new for a third of the original price.

That's what many people are doing across the country and the Destin/Miramar Beach populace is no different.

At Ava's Attic, owner Courtney Hood said more and more people are doing it and she is looking for new consigners. She believes the heightened interest in consigning is due mainly to the economy.

"We get on average one new consigner a day," she said.

Her family's foray into consigning began with furniture in June 2009 to clean out their garage. However, customers kept asking about clothing consignment, and in November 2009, Hood opened Ava's Attic Clothing Boutique.

"We were the first," she said.

Hood prices the clothing at one-third of retail. New with tags is priced at 50 percent. She researches online to find the retail price of other items.

The consigner gets 40 percent of the sale price.

Mark down begins after 60 days in the store, from 25 percent off to 50 percent off. If the item is not picked up after that, it is donated to Caring & Sharing of South Walton.

Items likely to sell are trendy, white, and especially cute summer dresses, said Hood.

"Since we have a lot of vacationers that's what they look for," she said.

Hood said the shop also has a good local following and they see a lot of snowbirds in season.

This year, crochet, lace and eyelet are in and the store gets a lot of designer wear.

"We have great consigners and get some amazing things," she said.

Some things she doesn't accept on consignment are prom dresses or business wear.

"We took those last year but they didn't sell well. People here don't wear a lot of business suits," said Hood.

Ava's Attic, located in Miramar Plaza on U.S. Highway 98E in Miramar Beach, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Located in Destin next to Kitchenique, Fashion Exchange Consignment Boutique is a consignment shop and they handle store closeouts.

Open since Feb. 1, 2010, owner Glenda Jernigan said she had a vision for her shop.

"I wanted it to be more like an upscale boutique than a thrift store," she said. "As I state in my ads: ‘clothes from Destin's finest closets,’ ” she said.

Jernigan only accepts women's apparel, and like Hood, she does not accept formalwear or business suits.

Jernigan worked retail during college and enjoyed it. She felt the economy and timing were right for another consignment shop in the area when she opened.

"I was a consigner myself," she said. "I think more people are consigning today instead of just donating. They see this as a way to get things, make extra money, or swap for something else."

Fashion Exchange is open Mondays from noon to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The store is located at 36150 Emerald Coast Parkway.

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If consigning is not your thing, however, there is another way to clean out your closet, acquire some almost-new items of clothing, and have fun at the same time.

Two years ago, Didon Comer took note that several in her Polka Dot Pussycat Pool exercise group were bringing items of clothing to the group just because they didn't want it. The women began an informal clothing swap that is now held twice a year in spring and fall. Instead of just the PPPs now, however, friends are invited to bring their unwanteds also.

"Just as long as it's clean and cute," said Comer.

Comer recently hosted the fourth swap at her home and around 25 friends showed up.

More than just clothes, however, the women have now expanded and take shoes, purses, belts, jewelry and accessories to trade. They also take tapas and wine and have a fun time in the process. Items of clothing left behind are donated to the Muscogee Nation Tribe.