Ladies in Santa Cruz: Are You a Closet Shopper?

By Makani Speier-Brito on August 6, 2015

You are in Santa Cruz this summer with a closet brimming with clothes collected over the years: dresses, sweaters, boots, sneakers, shorts and tank tops. You lay out your things and realize you do not need all of these band shirts from high school or leather belts. You have organized your clothes, placed your giveaway clothes and accessories in two bags. Where to donate your clothes? Sure, there is the mega Salvation Army store on Pacific Avenue, and various clothing drop-off sites around the city, but you spent money on these clothes. It just kind of feels wrong to give away your old clothes so easily. You probably would like a return for your once purchased clothes.

Why do we, women, own lots of clothes? We like clothes! We like dressing up. That is what I love about summer. All you need for your summer outfit are slippers, a bikini underneath your shirt, shorts and a floppy hat. I like to simplify.

I want to be outside for summer not rummaging through my closet, looking around for where I placed my pink tank top. If this sounds like you, read on. You probably have heard of spring cleaning but what about summer cleaning? Summer is a great time to lay out your clothes and see what you own. Maybe you want a new blouse or even just to go shopping for new clothes, but there is a financial obstacle. Your money (and/or your parent’s money) is going to pay for classes at UC Santa Cruz. Paying for new clothes is probably not a priority. Still, some days you just want to walk outside wearing a cute, new summer dress.

The Closet Shopper: Recycled Fashion For Women

The Closet Shopper is a quaint, boutique style clothing shop located in Santa Cruz. The Closet Shopper houses tasteful clothes, quality candles and cute dressing rooms. The Closet Shopper is unique in that they will buy your old clothes from you. They accept all clothing styles and gently used women’s fashion.

You decide to haul your donated clothing to the Closet Shopper. You walk into the shop. Then you hand over your bags of clothes to the sales lady behind the counter. The sales lady behind the counter will then conjure up a price for your donated clothes. Then she will ask you, do you want ‘35% Cash or 50% Trade’? Huh?

 

35% Cash

Here’s how their policy works. For example, say I bring in two bags of my clothes I wish to donate; she sorts through them and she estimates that I have $100 worth of donated clothes. If I want cash for my clothes, the sales lady will give me 35% cost of my donated clothes ($100 estimated cost of my clothes x .35 = $35 in cash.) I can pocket the $35 and walk out the store.

 

50% Trade

Before I exit the store, I wonder through the racks and sniff the candles. I see something I like in the store. I see a white, lace peasant blouse. Hmmm that top looks fresh and cute. I return to the counter and ask for ‘Trade’. I say to the sales lady, ‘I would rather have a trade for my donated clothes.’ Since she estimates my used clothing to be $100, instead of her giving me $35 in cash, I can spend $50 on item(s) I find in the store. This agreement is otherwise known as ‘50% Trade.’ The lace blouse I was eyeing is $40 and one candle is $10. With a white blouse and a candle in hand I return to the counter. The sales lady looks over the prices of my two items and asks if I would like a bag for my new blouse and candle. I say, ‘No thank you, I don’t need a bag.’ I place the candle and blouse in my backpack and walk out the door.

 

Where is the Closet Shopper located?

The Closet Shopper is located at 504 Front Street Suite B, next to Tonic Salon and Spa and across the street from the Surfrider Cafe. The Closet Shopper is open seven days a week from 10am to 7pm. To ask for the type of clothing they accept please call the shop at: 831-427-0400.

Check out their website page at www.theclosetshoppersantacruz.com or like their Facebook page to receive dates of when their fashion truck is in town at www.facebook.com/thefashiontrucksc.

Clear some space in your closet and enjoy the sunny Santa Cruz days. Before you head outside, peek into your closet and see the outfits you may have personally outgrown. Consider the Closet Shopper to handle your gently used attire. Carry your bags of old clothes and shoes to the Closet Shopper during the following Buying Days:

 

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