An appreciation for the “finer things” doesn’t mean you have to buy them new—or pay top dollar.
By Austin Hall // Photos by Shannon Aguiar
If you’ve been to Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, you’re no stranger to the posh fascia of high-end luxury clothing stores that line nearly every block. Oozing with opulence, such well-designed establishments cater to a specific lifestyle—usually one that involves deep pockets. But while many can appreciate the detail of a hand-painted Goyard wallet, not everyone can (or wants to) pay the premium that goes along with purchasing a high-ticket item straight from the boutique.
Secondhand shopping isn’t a new trend, but luxury consignment stores are creating an unprecedented shift toward used luxury goods in today’s fashion scene. Different from thrift shops with their racks upon racks of obscure labels, curated consignment stores cater to brand-conscious individuals by offering the chance to brush shoulders with racks of Supreme T-shirts and Burberry skirts.
With their aim set on creating boutique-like settings with sought-after offerings, luxury consignment stores are giving shoppers a chance to save money on luxury goods or to sell their old high-end garments. In the past four years alone, Pasadena has become home to many contemporary luxury consignment stores. Below are three standouts.
Walker / Viden Luxury Consignment
1033 E. Green S., Pasadena, 626-844-9244
Nestled in Pasadena’s quiet Green Street Village lies Walker / Viden Luxury Consignment, a low-key resale shop with a keen eye for conservative, high-fashion garments.
Having spent her adolescence curating costume jewelry for her mother’s booth in an antiques mall, co-founder Jennie Walker is no stranger to the retail business. From organizing store displays in New York City to moderating and updating the inventory of her online store, Walker developed the chops to run a luxury boutique, and Walker / Viden has that feel.
“Over time I became intrigued by the whole idea of used clothes, but they weren’t used clothes in a traditional sense,” she says. “[I’m] talking about designer clothes … like Versace, Chanel, and Calvin Klein.” Four years young, Walker / Viden offers items for men and women. Whether you’re in the market for a pair of pristine Ferragamo flats or vintage Moschino, check out Walker / Viden’s constantly revolving collection of garments.
2nd Street USA
113 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626-365-0058
With its roots cemented in Japanese fashion and upcycling, 2nd Street USA is the latest consignment store to grace Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard, setting up shop between lifestyle retailers Urban Outfitters and Lululemon.
Striking the perfect balance between luxury and everyday garments, 2nd Street USA carries everything from pouches hand-stitched by French atelier Goyard to vintage Supreme box-logo sweatshirts and Adidas running shirts. But its primary focus is on Japanese streetwear; racks are organized by brand, making it easy to find Cav Empt hoodies or Undercover pants. 2nd Street USA caters to anybody who wants to experience a broad selection of gently used international luxury brands at fair prices.
EndangeredLA
999 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626-644-5932
No, EndangeredLA isn’t actually in Los Angeles—but given its broad selection of hyped goods, like Supreme and A Bathing Ape, you’d be hard-pressed to find another resale store that caters so well to the L.A. “Hype” lifestyle.
Although two whole walls are adorned with plastic-wrapped Air Jordans and Nikes, EndangeredLA isn’t just a shoe store—it’s a contemporary consignment shop for those who don’t want to go all the way to Fairfax Avenue to wait in line for the next Supreme drop. In the center of the store lies a rack of color-coordinated Supreme T-shirts, juxtaposed next to niche brands like Fear of God and Anti Social Club.
Located right on Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard, EndangeredLA even features a sneaker arcade machine, for sneakerheads who are willing to risk $5 for the chance to win a fresh pair of Yeezy 350s.
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