Lessons from childhood
Growing up in a military family, we didn’t have a lot of money for finer things. We kept furniture forever. Including that old couch that looked like a design from a bad acid trip. When the dog used it as a chew toy, it was recovered. It’s what you did.
Same thing with clothes. I have photos of me in patched jeans, or outfits my mother made. As soon as I was old enough, I babysat for money so that I could buy my own clothes. Only new and certain stores, even if it meant sales racks.
As an adult, I eschewed my upbringing. As soon as I could afford to upgrade things I did. From used car to new car to fully-loaded. Futon to floor-model couch to brand new in the box. Sales racks and discount brands to higher-end brands. It was always newer and better.
No more patched jeans
I was smiling in that old photo of me in patched jeans. It wasn’t until a bit later that kids began teasing each other for how they dressed or not wearing the “right” brands. I do not miss that part of childhood.
What began as a way to fit in became cathartic. When I get stressed, I shop. Since my job is all about helping teams navigate change in fast-paced environments, that means I shop A LOT.
Sales racks were my friends. I would buy full-price for some things, but the volume of shopping I would do to offset stress? It often meant a crying credit card.
Unfortunately, it also meant I had more clothes than I could wear. I can’t tell you how many things would end up getting donated as my sizes and styles changed. Many with tags still attached.
My choices matured as my roles progressed. Working with an executive coach, she said I needed to dress for the roles I wanted. That meant sales racks in better stores with better quality, but also stretching what I was comfortable spending
A discovery
One day, I was shopping in NH when I found a cute shop and decided to go in. Turns out it was a consignment shop that was highly curated with beautiful work-appropriate attire. I had never seen anything like it and I was hooked.
I immediately found all the consignment shops in Boston and NH. Right after moving to NC, I found several I love. I’ll search them out when I go on vacation or visit family and friends.
I also discovered Dress for Success. They have 5 pop-up boutique sales a year and I love to search through their eclectic mix of clothing. I feel no guilt walking out with an armful of clothing for 90% off retail, knowing that the money goes to helping women find economic freedom. Shopping and giving back? Bonus.
The other great thing about consignment is that I no longer have clothes in my closet that are unworn. I scan it regularly and rotate clothing, consigning things I no longer wear.
Perception is reality
If you’ve made it this far, you may be wondering why my personal discovery of consignment matters. So what?
Have you ever taken a good look at a female executive and the way they dress? Most of them look very polished in what are obviously high quality dresses, jackets, bags, and shoes.
That’s what we’re taught and modeled. We are told to dress for the role or level we want, and it often looks unachievable.
I tell EVERYONE that I consign. If I get a compliment on my outfit or a handbag, I’ll share where I got it. I point people to Dress for Success’s pop-ups or to local consignment shops.
Why? Because it doesn’t change that I’m dressing well or diminish the compliment. What it does change is the perception about what it takes to look good, feel good, and look the part of a female executive.
Part of my personal mission is for other women in tech to see themselves in their senior leaders. To see our roles as something they can achieve as well.
I have visible tattoos, wear a laptop backpack for comfort over style, and shop consignment. If the result is even one woman in tech that STAYS because she thinks it’s possible to be successful, that’s worth more than my handbag collection.
Do you have thoughts on shopping consignment and sharing it with your peers or teams? I”d love if you would share your thoughts in the comments.
