Designer consignment arrives in Tampa!

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AUGUST 17, 2009

Such is the stuff of my dreams: A Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress. A Nanette Lapore jacket. A Cole Haan bag.

Correction: Such WAS the stuff of my dreams.

Designer consignment has the potential to be a wondrous thing. So does Mosh Posh, the chic little boutique of a consignment store that recently opened in Tampa's SoHo district.

Owner Lauren Basil saw the current recession as an opportunity. "People still want really high end things," she says. "But they don't want to pay retail for it -- like me."

And it appears there was a pent-up supply of designer clothing in our area just begging to be let out of closets. Lauren and her husband, Justin, originally planned to open in September after stocking up on inventory. But they got so much in the first few weeks, they have opened their doors early.

In a preliminary tour this weekend, I saw quite a lot for a gal with champagne taste on a beer budget.

Consider the Nanette Lapore suit, which might retail for $700-plus, priced at $250. Or the Juicy Couture white sundress, brand new with the tags to prove it, originally $188. Mosh Posh has priced it a $95.

I was especially smitten with the wide selection of designer jeans at Gap prices -- Sevens, Citizens of Humanity, J. Brand, AG -- all around $50. True Religion's are $80. Consignment is a plus, since department stores will charge you extra for the "broken in" look.

Other hot commodities: Women's business suits, many from Theory and Tahari, in the $150 range. Lauren promises there is something for every age group, including older labels like St. John knits and preppy standby Lilly Pulitzer.

Lauren says she is focused on providing a better experience for both customer and consignor. Unlike most consignment stores, Mosh Posh does not feel like a Goodwill. And she is working on a website that will let consignors log in and see which of their items have sold. (Consignors stand to make 50 percent of the selling price, and the Basils are offering 60 percent through the end of August.)

Seeing is believing. Check out the store online, or in person at 500 South Howard Ave., Suite D. It's across the street from MacDintons, but we'll forgive them for that.

~ Deal Diva Letitia

Posted by Times Editor at 7:00:00 am on August 17, 2009 in

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Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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