As college students, we live in a perpetual state of “tight on cash,” turning to shops like Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange to fulfill our material needs. But sometimes, Goodwill charges too much for the "goods" you’re paying for and the Buffalo-roaming hipsters have stripped the racks before you walk in the door.
Here's a question to ask yourselves, bargain shoppers: Do you need professional clothes? Do you want to treat yourself to an upscale, but reasonable, shopping experience? Step away from Savers and raid My Sister's Closet.
Opened in 1991 by sisters Ann and Jennifer Siner, My Sister’s Closet and its spin-offs Well Suited and My Sister’s Attic occupy 10 stores across the Valley and are full of reasonably priced designer goods.
My Sister’s Closet Recycled Designer Apparel
My Sister’s Closest, a consignment shop (picture Goodwill, but you get back for the clothes you give), is open to women of all ages in the Valley. Walking into the original My Sister’s Closet at Town & Country in Phoenix, the shop may seem small, but its inventory anything but that. Selling Coach handbags, True Religion jeans and Dior sunglasses for half the price, the small store can be a godsend. Having less space to navigate and therefore fewer clothes to dig through, the Town & Country store provides an easy in-and-out shopping experience.
With sections for formal dresses as well as fitness wear, My Sister’s Closet can provide the perfect piece missing from next week’s interview outfit, but can also be a hilarious adventure as you sift through numerous matron-of-the-bride dresses. Like all secondhand stores, My Sister’s Closet requires a bit of digging to find that great black blazer or cheap Citizens of Humanity jeans. My Sister’s Closet makes it a bit easier though, labeling and sometimes color coding the sections.
With a bigger shop, My Sister’s Closet at Lincoln Village in Scottsdale has a different vibe than the other stores. Filled with women coming from Fashion Square as well as the rest of Scottsdale, college students may seem a bit out of place. However, there is a wider variety of casual as well as professional clothes to peruse. And the shoe collection is huge!
If you go...
Desert Village 23233 N. Pima Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale 480-419-6242
Lincoln Village 6204 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-443-4575
Las Tiendas 2915 S. Alma School Road, Ste. 1, Chandler 480-722-1822
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Town & Country 2033 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 602-954-6080
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
My Sister’s Attic Recycled Home Furnishings
Before you turn your first apartment into a page from the latest Ikea catalog, consider your decorating efforts much like you would construct an outfit. Every outfit has a center of focus or a standout piece, whether intentional or not, and your apartment should be the same way. Looking through My Sister's Attic may seem like a blast to the past (or your parent's house), but the cluttered, antique store feel gives the finds that much more appeal.
The most important thing to remember about My Sister's Attic is the space issue — because the stores are only so big and the furniture so varying in size, pieces are placed in a puzzle-like formation. Examine everything carefully. Points of interest at My Sister's Attic at Lincoln Village in Scottsdale include the area rugs hung in the back like clothes and displays of dishes, china and other glassware on what seems like never-ending shelves. Again, these are designer or upscale brands so they will be priced accordingly. That's why I recommend buying one statement piece of furniture or decoration such as a stellar print or an exquisitely constructed desk.
If you go...
Desert Village 23435 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale 480-515-9708
Lincoln Village 6208 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 480-607-4303
Town & Country 2027 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix 602-957-2799
Fulton Promenade 4955 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler 480-722-1823
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Well Suited Men’s Resale
Boys, it's time for you to become men. Which means graduating from the formal wear of khakis and sports coats (that most 13-year-olds sport at middle-school dances) to a suit — a full suit. Most men are turned off by the idea of suits until they enter the work force because they believe that all suits are expensive. I’m here to bust that myth; not only can suits be justly priced, but also comfortable.
Opened in 2001, Well Suited specializes in men’s clothing. Like their female counterparts, Well Suited has sportswear (ASU shirts seem to reach all locations), suits, dress shirts, outerwear, shoes and even a small electronics department. You can even buy tuxedo jackets there. With two Valley locations, there's no longer an excuse not to purchase a full, cheap suit. With brands such as Burberry and Hugo Boss at prices lower than the typical $800 price tag, sales associates will help you pick the perfect shirt-tie combination as well as a two- (or three-) piece suit to match.
If you go...
Lincoln Village 6208 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 480-556-9750 Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Town & Country 2035 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix 602-840-5605 Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact the reporter at crcruz1@asu.edu.
