So I've sold a few more items, it looks like. Another hat - the brown felt fedora, an army messenger bag, a yellow ceramic big-mouthed fish, a glass... every little bit counts, right? But I'd REALLY like to sell some clothing, since I've collected more of that than anything. Do people just not buy clothing at antique malls? Was it a bad idea?
I'm not sure how often it's customary to rearrange a booth at an Antique mall. Really, there are booths I've come across that I saw a year ago that haven't changed significantly, and I'm just this upstart newby so what do I know?
But... I started in February. Mid-February. Right before Valentine's Day. So I had a booth full of coats and all red heart-y things. And then February was almost over, and Valentine's Day had passed, and nobody had bought any coats, or, come to think of it, anything red and/or heart-y. So Monday I took out (almost) all of the coats and (almost) all of the red/heart-y stuff, and put in a bunch of green St Paddy's Day appropriate/ "hey, it's almost Spring" relevant stuff.
I added a ton of cute fun green stuff, and rearranged lots of the various tchotchkes so that the center table is now completely populated with greenery of the non-botanical kind.
I left in the booth both halves of the
coat love story,
because I'm sentimental like that (or possibly just mental), and the
buttery soft Berman's leather blazery-y jacket, and one red dress
and most of the black and gray stuff I'd had in there, but I added lots of green. Including two big-collared 70s era double-knit shamrock-y items:
 |
| I think of this as a teacher dress for unknown reasons. |
 |
This photographs well, but it's awfully thick. I don't
know why I keep buying things for the kitsch factor. |
There are a couple of other uber-kitschy items, but there are also some great vintage things worthy of both love and a regular spot in the wardrobe rotation, including a very cute green and orange plaid skirt that I would hoard for myself if it were my size. I think it would be super cute with some cable-knit knee socks and loafers or oxfords:
 |
| I like the length, and it's well-made. |
These two dresses are super cute as well:
 |
This is woven, but with a nubby texture.
I imagine it on someone creative and organized. |
 |
| I like the cool wrap-tie on this spring green dress. |
And since of all the clothing and accessories in my booth I have sold so far only an army messenger bag and two men's hats, I now know my real audience for vintage. I have, accordingly, added another nice hat, and will continue to be on the lookout for manly goodness, too.
So, with lots of new items and rearranging, here is what my booth looks like now:
 |
| A bit more Spring-y, lots more green, and an adorable toddler-size plaid jumper. |
A closer look at a few bits:
 |
| Mostly the same, plus awesome green/blue shirtwaist dress. |
 |
Lots of green, including a very funky 60s green/gray/
black/white print dress - go-go boots not included. |
 |
| Lots of pretty green pottery and things. |
 |
| Added some more linens and whatnot. |
So what do you think? Better? Worse? Do I need to knock it off with the kitschy clothes, or do they attract attention? What do/would you do?
You might want to send a link for your blog to the college theatre costume departments in the area. They would be likely to buy some of the clothes. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Robert! I'll have to look into that.
DeleteKim, you have an incredible eye for color and style! Your arrangement looks great.
ReplyDeleteBecause you asked, going to put my two cents in:
My mom owns an antique mall in Oklahoma, my aunt owned one in Rolla, MO before her. I've sort of been related to antiques most of my life.
Anyway, rearranging your items is one of the great ways to increase sales, so way to go! My mom hates it when someone rents a booth, stocks it full and then disappears. Antique malls draw repeat customers who are looking for that "great discovery." They come back often and head straight to the booths that they can tell have been updated. They are hoping you've been to some new sale or auction and have found the item they never knew they desperately needed! (Only caution: they are get wise to the folks that don't add new items and just rearrange the old.) These are people who pay close attention to detail, because they know that moving too quickly could lose them that rare gem that no one else spotted!
Clothes are great for displays and color, and as long as you use them like you have, to complement the season, etc, they will attract customers. They don't traditionally sell quickly, though. Robert's idea is wonderful! Attracting a new clientele and letting them know what you have personally, can create a win-win situation. You could even ask them what they are looking for in their upcoming season so you could keep your eye open for them?
Wish I could see your place in person. I love spending the day browsing a good vintage shop. It's in my blood!
And I love blogs with lots of pics! Awesome!
-Rutha (Taylor) Ebeling
Thanks Rutha, I appreciate the advice - I know what I like, but I'm new to selling, so I'm not sure if what I like will be what works. And if you're ever in St Louis, look me up - I'll show you all the good vintage haunts!
DeleteI like the season/holiday changes, and this one will go for a couple of months! I think clothes are probably just harder to sell. You probably just need more advertising to reach the people who buy vintage clothes??? Also, if you have the time to rearrange it, why not? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea, you're right about advertising. I checked, and it looks like some people advertise stuff in their booths on Craigslist. I hadn't really thought of that, but I'm going to give it a try soon. If the clothing doesn't sell in the booth, I can always suck it up and try Etsy, too.
Delete