Eco Chic: Green-Up Your Style at Local Consignment Boutiques

Fashionistas take note – eco-friendly fashion is this month’s hottest trend, and while being eco-chic is always in fashion, it is never more so than during the earthday-themed month of April. 

If you are not sure how to green-up your wardrobe or your home, think vintage jewelry, accessories, clothing, home décor, and even antique books and stop into the second hand shops and boutiques sprinkled around Peekskill, Yorktown, and beyond to purchase some recycled items. In the spirit of Earth Day, skip the store’s plastic bag and copy of the receipt. 

Then think of further reducing your personal eco-footprint by re-selling or consigning your old items back to these second hand stores. When selling your treasures into the second hand market, one can expect a better price from businesses who buy on consignment, but you will be paid only when each item has been sold. Shops which buy – rather than consign merchandise – make up for their lower prices because they pay cash up front.

(368 S Riverside Ave., Croton-On-Hudson) offers the perfect mix of both modern and vintage pre-owned clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Inside the store - which is a cozy 400 square feet, the antique and modern layered displays inspire customers to create their own wardrobe of old and new styles.

Boutique owner Elena Malchevsky recently closed her store on Commerce Street in Yorktown Heights, but loyal Yorktown customers will only need to travel a few miles to Croton-On-Hudson to find a smaller, higher end, and trendier version of the store.

If you are interested in selling items to Malchevsky, her main interest is buying gold, silver, and platinum for cash, and she buys other items primarily on consignment.

The moment you walk into ReSouled by Bess (36 N Division St., Peekskill, NY 10566) the artfully created displays will draw you in, with the promise of a funky and sophisticated vintage shopping experience. Located in Peekskill’s artist district, the store’s impressive 2,000 square feet has an eclectic mix of furniture, estate jewelry, and clothing and accessories.

“I have everything to get you dressed and decorate your house too, and I have items from all different periods –  20’s chrome or 50’s-style kitchen appliances – I have it,” owner Bess Millson said.   

And if you have some interesting items that you would like to “recycle,” Millson meets with customers on Wednesdays by appointment to buy merchandise for her store. “I pay cash for things vintage and cool,” she said.

(2008 Crompond Rd., Yorktown Heights) is the place to go for dazzling vintage jewelry. Ask owner Myron Ruales, to show you his estate and consignment case. The breathtaking display of vintage glamour includes the likes of Cartier, Rolex, and Tiffany.

On a selective basis, Ruales will purchase items to be sold on consignment. 

It is always fashionable to read, and The Bruised Apple (923 Central Ave. Peekskill) offers a selection of over 50,000 used books. According to Andrew Acciaro, manager of the Bruised Apple, it is not unusual for the beautiful vintage books to be used as elements of home decor.  “Interior decorators come in and purchase books by shape, size and color,” Acciaro said.

In addition to vintage books, the Bruised Apple sells vintage maps, records, and used CDs. With respect to their policy on buying items from customers Acciaro said that the Bruised Apple buys merchandise from customers on a selective basis and usually for store credit – not cash.

Once Upon A Child (80 Route 6, Baldwin Place, NY), sells gently used fashions for children. The store requires a shopper with focus and fortitude because – unlike the above mentioned second hand boutiques – Once Upon A Child is stuffed full of very generic brands and items. However, if you have the fortitude to pick through the piles, you are likely to be rewarded with the high end boutique brands for kids including Oilily, Kate Quinn Organics, and etc.

Once Upon A Child pays cash for clothes and furniture in good shape, and is currently accepting spring and summer items.