Consignment in the news, again!

The original article can be found on SFGate.com here:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/09/28/LV9D132BC9.DTL

Sunday, September 28, 2008 (SF Chronicle)Recessionista: Spend frugally, look fabulousCarolyne Zinko, Chronicle Staff Writer

When the going gets tough, the tough get going - to consignment stores,vintage boutiques, department stores with lines of low-priced designerclothing and maybe even to the sewing machine. The economic tumult of the past few weeks has hit the pocketbook hard,causing many to wonder whether they'll be able to add those must-havepieces to their fall wardrobes. Fear not, fashionistas: With a littleingenuity and discipline, you can become a recessionista. The word'sorigins may be uncertain, but in these uncertain times, it's a perfectfit. It can even be an opportunity for a kind of spiritual, if not sartorial,growth. Anyone can look great by spending wads on ready-to-wear. It's abigger challenge to be creative on a smaller budget. Remember women duringWorld War II using eyebrow pencil to draw seams up the back of their legsto mimic nylons when they were in short supply? One modern-day style secret from one of the city's better-dressed women:Focus on shoes and handbags, because people notice those first. Besides, arecent national online survey of 1,500 shoppers aged 18 to 70, withincomes between $12,000 and $100,000 a year, showed that 73 percent ofrespondents are more careful about how they spend today than they were ayear ago. The survey, by WSL Strategic Retail, a marketing consulting firmin New York, indicated that a cultural shift away from conspicuousconsumption may be under way - 56 percent of respondents consider it coolto save money and some 42 percent reported taking unnecessary items out ofthe basket at checkout. How to economize? From H&M to Zara, there are plenty of places to find abasic little black dress for $150 or less. Change your jacket and yourbling and it'll see you through work and weekends. If you're size 0 to 8, head to an indie fashion show like "Chillin' " (seehttp://www.chillinproductions.com/ for dates and locations) or traveling samplesale for discounted clothes and accessories (checkhttp://www.billiondollarbabes.com/). Target's success with the Isaac Mizrahi linehas spawned new, limited-time partnerships with luxe vendors like handbagmaker Botkier, whose hobos cost $475 at Neiman Marcus but are less than$40 at Target, and upscale jeweler Dean Harris, whose nature-inspiredrings with cognac diamonds go for up to $39,000, but whose line at Targettops out at $79.99. You can make your own hair-care products and give yourself a facial athome with fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator. If you're reallyhandy, you can even whip up your own handbags on that dusty Singer in yourspare bedroom, with lessons, of course, from teachers at Stonemountain &Daughter Fabrics in Berkeley, where dozens of sewing classes are offered. For the extremists among us, there's another option: Simply stay out ofstores for the next year, or at least until the stock market goes upagain.
What are your best recessionista ideas? Share your tips in the commentssection of this story online at sfgate.com.The look Dress: Puff-sleeved LBD with deconstructed cutout edges in cotton silk, byJil Sander, $495, from Cris consignment boutique, 2056 Polk St., SanFrancisco. Purse: Botkier faux snake for Target, $39.99. Shoes: Wide T-strap gladiator, Foxygirl, from Nine West, formerly $79, now$59.25. ninewest.com Treasure hunt Afterwards consignment store, 1159 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. (650)324-2377, http://www.afterwards.com/. Jeremy's department store, Stock overruns, last-season and flawedgarments. 2 South Park, San Francisco. (415) 882-4929; 2967 College Ave.,Berkeley. (510) 849-0701, http://www.jeremys.com/. Torso vintage wear, 272 Sutter St., San Francisco. (415) 391-3166,http://www.torsovintages.com/. Bag, borrow and steal ideas Borrow instead of buying: Sites like bagborroworsteal.com let you rentpricey designer bags, sunglasses and jewelry. Sell your fine designer jewelry at Circa, 400 Montgomery St., suite 800,San Francisco. (415) 621-8100, http://www.circajewels.com/; also luxuryauctioneers Portero.com. Seek out fashion finds for $50 or less at http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/. Head's up: The Antonio Prieto salon in New York says for dry or damagedhair, mix egg yolk and water, apply to hair 10 to 15 minutes, rinse withcold water. Remove buildup by rubbing olive oil into roots before shampooing. To tamefrizz, rub coconut oil onto hands, smooth down hair. To bring shine todull hair, rinse with lemon juice and water (not recommended forcolor-treated hair). For oily hair, boil 2 tablespoons mint in 1 1/2glasses of water, strain and mix with shampoo, using mint mix on alternatedays.
- Carolyne Zinko, czinko@sfchronicle.com
Copyright 2008 SF Chronicle

....And now your own neighborhood re-chic boutique, Urbanity! 1887 Solano Avenue Berkeley