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difficult-to-find vintage and rare items .
“[ Fashion ] … is an art of expression . But sometimes , you can ’ t take it too seriously . … I wear a uniform every day , so I look for simple ways , like jewelry and accessories , to still reflect my personal sense of style ,” Bennett-Johnson says , adding that resale lets people curate and have fun with fashion .
The RealReal ’ s Lido location receives daily arrivals of new items and has numerous options , such as Hermes Kelly and Birkin bags , Oscar De La Renta and Zimmerman midi dresses , discontinued Louis Vuitton Epi Lussac bags , Christian Siriano tops , Cinc A Sept blazers , vintage Burberry check totes , Versace denim jackets , Ralph Lauren mini dresses and Marc by Marc Jacobs leather crossbody bags .
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THE HUNT FOR A GOOD FIND Swellegant Vintage is another local resale store , curating mostly 1950s- to 1990s-style clothes . Founder and owner Nicole Bernstein hopes to “ make sure [ the shop ’ s ] items stay out of landfills and stay alive ” by making their way into other people ’ s wardrobes .
Since its opening in 1997 , the mission of Swellegant has been to preserve history while being environmentally minded . Finding her items at antique flea markets , estate sales and , most notably , from years of connections , Bernstein hopes to slow the impact of fast-fashion companies — whose clothes often mimic vintage styles . When it comes to sustainability , Bernstein believes it is part of our responsibility as human beings to make the most of our materials and respect the labor that goes into making garments — the best way being to recycle clothing . Swellegant aims to evoke the feelings of the past with the timeless style it carries , whether items are by high-end designers or not .
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An Orange County native , Bernstein wants people to “ see that they can create their style with things that are already out there ,” as opposed to relying on fast fashion stores . “ When people see a store like mine , I hope they stop and think about where these things come from and where they should come from ,” Bernstein says .
Fashionphile , a resale store with a slightly different customer base , sells pre-owned handbags , accessories , fine jewelry , watches and shoes . Prizing secondhand items , Davis wanted to revolutionize luxury fashion while valuing the history , heritage and quality of designer brands . One of the largest online platforms for buying and selling ultra-luxury handbags and accessories , Davis and partner CEO and co-founder Ben Hemminger gained Neiman Marcus as their first investor in 2019 , two decades after Fashionphile ’ s creation . Loving “ the hunt ” to get a good deal , Davis says she has a passion for thrifting , and “ the thrill of finding an item that got away or a one-of-akind piece .” As ultra-luxury accessories hold and maintain retail value better than some other fashion categories , they can be a good investment to bolster any closet and help dress up any outfit . Fashionphile curates items that will help set any shopper apart , like a matte alligator Birkin 35 Favue bag ; Saint Laurent rubber studded Festival Rain Boots ; Chanel metal , crystal and pearl 1990s Camellia CC drop earrings ; or a Christian Dior Christal Quartz Watch with stainless steel , diamonds , sapphires and pink mother-of-pearl .
“[ Fashionphile believes ] … buying fewer quality items is better than buying a lot of cheaper , low-quality things , and resale helps more people to have access to even more highquality pieces that will be around for decades , not years ,” Davis says .
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CHARITABLE CHARGES Adding on to environmental benefits , thrift shops run by nonprofit organizations offer the opportunity to give back to charities .
Nonprofit organizations with thrift and resale stores in and near Newport include the Mariners Church ; The Salvation Army , whose proceeds fund its rehabilitation centers ; and Assistance League of Newport-Mesa , which helps provide underserved children with new school uniforms and essentials , presents entertainment programs and offers scholarships .
The Discovery Shop , which has a store in Corona del Mar , is operated by the American Cancer Society . Selling pre-owned , high-quality men ’ s and women ’ s clothing , accessories , artwork , furniture , home decor and more , the Discovery Shop ’ s West Coast locations have raised more than $ 372 million since the first one opened in San Fernando in 1965 . These funds go toward cancer research , providing lodging for patients while
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LEFT AND OPPOSITE PAGE : BROCOFF PHOTOGRAPHY ; RIGHT PHOTOS : COURTESY OF SWELLEGANT VINTAGE |
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