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How to Still Love Shopping but Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Yes! It can be done.

Now more than ever the world is calling us to be consciences consumers. After a summer including our unprecedented and deadly heat dome, record wildfires and other historic natural disasters ramping up around the world due to climate change, it’s time to really think about the choices we each make.  Yes, we are only one person but collectively we can enact big change.

At Coast Consignment it’s no secret that we love design and we also love to shop!  We think you can love both and still do your part to help reduce our carbon footprint which is why Coast Consignment prides itself on being a sustainable business that reduces, reuses and otherwise re-homes experienced home wares and jewellery.

Simply put, there are already already enough items in the world to clothe us and fill our spaces without having to produce much more which is why we are such firm believers in the consignment process.

One of our owners, Tina has recently started shopping consignment for almost all her clothing and accessory needs so we thought we would share our favourite consignment bricks and mortar stores and online consignment shops.  Tina had two pairs of never used J Crew shoes arrive yesterday from Thred Up. A gorgeous pair of tartan flats with a bow for fall and a fantastic pair of J Crew platform espadrilles with tie fabric and ribbon ankle straps in the ballet style.  Both pairs came beautifully wrapped in Thred Up’s signature box and tissue paper but were in no way over-wrapped.

 

We can’t say enough good things about the pleasure of scoring an incredible deal through consignment.  More clothing and accessory consignment shops are popping up everywhere. Close to where Tina lives in the Cowichan Valley (she mostly works from home, but sometimes you can spot her in store), two fabulous women’s consignment shops popped up; one above a hair salon in their upstairs loft and one in the basement of an incredible vintage home store in Downtown Duncan which by the way is a Historic Downtown full if incredible boutiques and cafes.  Worth a visit if you are on island.

In the Downtown Duncan boutique Tina scored a labels-on, never been worn Ted Baker sweater with amazing collar for fall that she can’t wait to wear with jeans and her new J Crew flats once the weather changes.

20+ years ago Tina found my first consignment steal for $135 which was a huge amount of money for Tina back then. A Gucci hobo bag with real bamboo handle including dust bag etc. Tina still uses it over and over and once had to repair a section that a kind cobbler was able to do for her.

If you love shopping but also want to ensure you reduce your carbon footprint then consider shopping at these incredible consignment companies.

www.thethredup.com

www.therealreal.com

www.themainexchange.ca

www.turnabout.com

https://www.mineandyours.com/

https://shamelessresale.com/

https://www.clothing.frontandcompany.com/

There are many more consignment and excellent thrift stores that don’t have websites such as: Value Village, Salvation Army & many Hospital and other non-profit thrift stores in every community. Yes, definitely they can be hit or miss but you can find some incredible pieces there and it’s always worth a quick look if you have the time.

If you are interested in learning more about this rapidly growing sector take a listen to Marketplace’s radio article on this

 

 

 

 

 

As always, we are always searching and looking for the best selection of vintage, antique, mid-century, retro, ultra modern, contemporary furniture, rugs, lighting, jewellery, artwork and home accessories. Contact us today for an appraisal and check out our website for what’s new in store. Stock changes daily at our 7000 square foot showroom in North Vancouver.