Your closet is full. Half the stuff in there hasn't been worn in two years. Some of it still has tags on. And throwing it all in a donation bag feels like waste — because some of those pieces are worth real money.
That's where consignment comes in.
If you're in Louisville and wondering how to consign your clothes, this guide walks you through exactly how the process works, what makes items sell well, and how to maximize what you earn.
What Is Clothing Consignment?
Consignment is different from selling your clothes to a buyback store like Clothes Mentor. In a buyback model, the store pays you upfront for your items at a reduced rate, then marks them up and sells them. You get paid immediately but earn less.
In a consignment model, the store displays your items and you get paid only when they sell — typically 40-50% of the selling price. You wait longer but earn more per item.
At Margaret's, we use a 50/50 consignor split, which is one of the most competitive splits in Louisville consignment.
What Sells Well at Louisville Consignment Shops
Not everything in your closet is consignment material. Here's what actually moves on the floor:
Yes, These Sell
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Recognizable brands — Lilly Pulitzer, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Coach, Eileen Fisher, Lululemon, Vineyard Vines, Athleta, and similar mid-range to upscale labels
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Current styles — pieces from the last 2-3 years
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Excellent condition items — no stains, no pilling, no loose threads
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Dresses — especially formal, cocktail, and Derby-appropriate
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Designer handbags in good condition
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Shoes in great shape (minimal sole wear)
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New-with-tags items — these fly off the floor
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Outerwear — quality coats and jackets
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Premium denim — good brands, current fits
No, Skip These
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Fast fashion — Shein, Forever 21, H&M basics (not valuable enough)
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Worn-out items — even from great brands
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Stained or damaged pieces (even small stains get rejected)
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Out-of-season items at the wrong time (bring summer pieces in spring, not December)
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Very dated styles — 10+ year old items rarely sell
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Undergarments & swimwear (most shops decline these)
How to Prep Your Items Before Consigning
A little prep makes a huge difference in what gets accepted and how fast it sells:
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Wash and press everything. Wrinkled clothes get rejected.
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Inspect each piece carefully. Look for stains under lights. Check seams. Feel for pilling.
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Put items on hangers. Don't bring a garbage bag of crumpled clothes.
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Remove lint and pet hair. A lint roller is your friend.
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Leave tags on if items are new with tags — don't remove them.
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Sort by type. Makes intake faster for everyone.
The Consignment Process at Margaret's
Here's how it works at our Louisville location:
Step 1: Drop off during receiving hours Our receiving window is open Monday–Thursday & Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM. No appointment needed — just come in.
Step 2: Our team reviews your items We sort through your pieces, accepting what meets our quality and current-style standards. Items we pass on are returned to you (we don't donate them without your permission).
Step 3: We tag and price Our experienced team prices each accepted item to sell well and earn you a fair return. We know the Louisville market.
Step 4: Your items go on the floor Accepted pieces are displayed in-store and often posted online too. They stay on the floor for a consignment period (typically 90 days) with automatic price reductions over time.
Step 5: Check your sales Log into your consignor dashboard at margaretsconsignment.com anytime to see what's sold and your current balance.
Step 6: Get paid You can request payouts of your balance once items have sold.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
Reasonable expectations for a well-curated consignment drop-off:
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A name-brand dress in great condition: $20–$50 selling price, so $10–$25 to you
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A designer handbag: $40–$200+ selling price, so $20–$100+ to you
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A pair of barely-worn high-end shoes: $30–$75 selling price, so $15–$37 to you
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A new-with-tags piece: often sells quickly at $25–$60, so $12–$30 to you
Bring a large bag of quality items and it's not unusual for consignors to earn $100–$400 over the consignment period, sometimes much more.
Tips to Maximize Your Earnings
1. Consign seasonally and early. Bring spring and summer items in February–March. Bring fall and winter items in August–September. Derby dresses? January–February is ideal.
2. Consign consistently. Consignors who drop off quarterly build relationships with us and tend to see better pricing.
3. Focus on quality, not quantity. 10 excellent pieces beat 40 mediocre ones.
4. Be patient. Consignment isn't instant. Items sell over weeks and months.
5. Check your dashboard. Some consignors forget about sold items — don't let your earnings sit unclaimed.
What Happens to Unsold Items?
At the end of the consignment period, you have options: pick them up, let us automatically reduce prices further, or donate them. Our team will walk you through your choices.
Alternative Louisville Consignment Options
Margaret's specializes in women's clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. If you have:
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Wedding dresses → A Class Act Consignments is Louisville's bridal consignment specialist
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Children's clothing → try Once Upon a Child or local children's consignment shops
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Menswear → some Louisville consignors take select menswear
We're happy to point you in the right direction for categories outside our focus.
Ready to Clear Out Your Closet?
Bring your quality women's clothing to Margaret's Fine Consignments, 2700 Frankfort Avenue, during receiving window hours. No appointment needed. 50/50 split. Honest pricing. Louisville's trusted consignment shop for over 35 years.
[Learn more about consigning with us →]
