As we begin to shed our winter layers and enjoy the sun slowly peeking out from behind the clouds, our transitioning closets may be needing a bit of spring cleaning. Here are a few great places where you can get the most out of your closet's clutter.
Buffalo Exchange: Buffalo Exchange offers fashion-savvy Chicagoans the opportunity to trade their closet's cast-offs for other items for sale in the store or cold hard cash. Bring your gently used clothing to one of the Chicago locations and their associates will choose what they believe they can resell and give you cash or store credit for the items on the spot. You can either take home any pieces they pass on or donate them to a local charity. The Wicker Park location is currently giving away prizes, including $5 coupons and reusable "bolsa" bags to those who sell five or more men's items through the month of March. Wicker Park: 1478 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-227-9558 Lakeview/Lincoln Park: 2875 N. Broadway St.; 773-549-1999
eDrop-Off: It always seems more difficult to part with those designer pieces you just had to have last season, but if you are looking to make room for the latest trends, eDrop-Off is here to help. Their fashion-forward team, specializing in selling designer clothing and accessories, can help you every step of the way with closet cleaning consultations, nationwide pickup and taking care of all the aspects of selling the pieces on eBay (photos, descriptions and shipping). You can also drop off items, and see what they are selling, at the Lincoln Park location. 2117 N. Halsted St.; 866-962-5550 or 773-525-7467
Plato's Closet: This Lincoln Park storefront specializes in buying, selling and trading pieces for teens and twenty-somethings. Bring your gently worn shoes, clothing and accessories to Plato's Closet and their buyers will offer to pay you up to 40 percent of the selling price for items they plan to resell. Ask an associate about their "Jeans and a Movie" promotion, which offers a free movie ticket when you sell two pairs of jeans (while supplies last). While the buyers are checking what you brought in, take a minute to stroll around and see the great selection of discounted styles available for purchase. 2150 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-549-2070