New shop offers fashion on a budget

Women with a yearning for high fashion, but lacking the budget to match, can find an answer at Shop It Forward, a high-end consignment store opening this month in Sisters, in the Siesta Sunspa on Main Avenue.

The store, owned by Theresa and Jeff Robertson - who also own the Hair Cache and Siesta Sunspa - is the result of client demand, said Theresa. She said customers often wished they could either find or pass on beautiful, high quality clothing.

Mostly, the clothing worn by just about everyone in the area is pretty relaxed. But sometimes an outing requires garments (and accessories) that are a step above casual chic.

That's when the "fashionistas" at Shop It Forward come to the rescue. They recognize that their customers will be "women who are smart shoppers with picky taste," according to Shanntyl Mendez, an independent fashion consultant who is in charge of accepting consignments. She and the rest of the staff realize too that many shopping habits have changed in recent times.

"Women still want fashion but they don't want to pay full-ticket price," said Theresa Robertson.

Shopping consignment and thrift stores is trendy these days.

The store is accepting all sizes of high fashion women's clothing, no more than two years old, and accessories, shoes and handbags. Some small home décor items will also be accepted. It's not essential for clothing to have designer labels, but they do need to be desirable pieces. That said, Theresa did drop some designer handbag names that she'd be delighted to see in the store, such as Coach, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Dooney and Burke.

Consigners must call for an appointment to place their garments, and are welcome to do so at any time. If an item is not suitable, Mendez will suggest other consignment stores to try. Shoppers will be able to start trying on clothing by the end of March, said Theresa.

Shop It Forward staff are looking forward to meeting shopping needs in Sisters. Theresa summed it up saying, "we don't have to do without, we just have to do it different."

To make appointments, call 419-0261.