It’s been such a fun week collaborating with Sarah Nicolls of The Mother Clutter. After a week of tips and tricks, I asked you if you had any questions for her and these were your queries and her answers:
Do you do general organization, like after a move or renovation?
YES.
How much more can you get for items that are new with tags versus gently worn?
It depends. “New with tags” is more valuable in an item that is worn on your body, such as a swimsuit or pants. However, if the item is in demand it matters less. For a handbag, accessory or shoes, the condition matters more and determines the price. No one cares if the tags are on a Chanel bag, but they will usually want one in great condition!
Are there any items that appreciate over time (e.g., Chanel, Hermes)?
I have a hot tip for you: please buy a classic Chanel or Hermes bag and keep it in good condition. You can feel confident if you get a Chanel or Hermes at retail or resale, it will either hold its value (at worst), but most likely increase in value.
Here’s why: Chanel consistently raises their prices every year. Some years they have raised prices every 6 months. So, the purse you bought today for $5,500 will be $6,500 in 18-24 months. It will never get cheaper. It will never go on sale. If you keep this bag in good condition and consign it, you will most likely reap about 75% of retail of the NEW, HIGHER price. That’s EVEN if you’ve worn it for 5 years. If you do not use the bag and keep it in your closet in brand new condition, you will make even more. Nice, huh?
Hermes bags also go up in price yearly, but they are a little more valuable in that they are rare. Remember that Sex and the City episode where Samantha tried to use Lucy Liu’s name to get on the list to get a Birkin? Hermes bags are super valuable because for the most part, you cannot walk into a store and buy one. There are waiting lists, and waiting lists to get on the waiting list. Also, the Birkin on the SATC episode in 1998 cost $4,500 and now that same bag is $12,500.
However, it is my opinion that the Hermes bubble will burst soon. Walk into any high end resale store around (I LOVE Luxe (@luxeluxurylabels) in Armonk NY) or visit The Real Real and there are tons of beautiful, authentic Birkin, Kelly and Evelyne bags for sale. I don’t understand how the resale business is not killing Hermes retail. Some of the most wealthy women I know have bought their Hermes at resale because they didn’t have to beg a snooty salesperson to get on a list and they could get the bag they wanted delivered to their doorstep in 2-3 days. Stay tuned. I’m not sure how this will play out.
It is fabulous if you can buy or be gifted a Chanel or Hermes bag at retail, but you will get more bang for your buck if you get a gently used one at resale. Buying a couture bag is like buying a new car; you will lose 20% when you take the tags off, so let the first owner take the hit. To purchase, I only trust Fashionphile and The Real Real. They stand behind the product and employ former employees of the major couture houses to authenticate.
Other couture brand bags such as Chloe, Valentino, Celine will do well in resale but expect 30-50% of what you paid.
What are your tips for seasonal storage in smaller spaces?
Before you store your seasonal clothing for next year, go through them and be honest about what you really wore. Get rid or consign things that you didn’t find time to wear this year, because you probably won’t next year either. Also, keep in mind where you live. Because I live in suburban New York, my summer wardrobe is pretty small and my fall/winter is more extensive. Summer is short here, so I chose to invest my cash in fall and winter clothing and accessories.
For small spaces, I really like the Ziploc Flexible Totes. They are soft so they can be smushed down in tight spaces. They also have vents on the side so your clothes can breathe while they are in storage. Put some lavender sachets or cedar chips in there so they stay fresh. And DO NOT store knitwear that is dirty – make sure you hand wash or dry clean all wool and cashmere before storage, otherwise you will end up with a moth situation.
For seasonal decor, definitely declutter before you put the items away for next year. Make sure that you truly want all of those Christmas ornaments before you put them away. Keep only a small amount of sentimental things that really matter to you. I would advise against buying additional seasonal decor items until you have assessed what you have and what you are really planning to decorate your space with. Don’t go to HomeGoods for more Easter pillows before you take stock of the Easter pillows you already have! If you’re a seasonal decor junkie, write yourself an inventory list on your iPhone so that you can reference it while you’re out shopping. This cuts down on dupes and extra stuff you don’t need.
I personally try to keep seasonal decor items to a minimum because I do not want to spend my time setting them up and taking them down 30 days later. But that is just me!
