Current Boutique

They have some decent things at this boutique from time to time but every time I go I feel like the employees are increasingly snotty. Maybe they’re trying to build a «cooler than you» rep to increase sales, but it’s a big turnoff to me.

I completely agree with Heather C.‘s review. I want to love Current. I have on occasion bought some great finds. But I am tired of going there and finding the same items that have been on the racks for multiple seasons. For that reason I only go there a couple times a year. I consigned a nice Calvin Klein wool pea coat 2 winters ago. And yep, it’s back on their rack. And let’s face it, after 2 years of people mauling and trying on the same clothing, it doesn’t look that great. Just sayin’. In a positive note, staff at all locations are very friendly and selection of new jewelry is great.

This consignment shop is unique in that they act as part boutique with new clothes and gently used consigned clothes. They have a good selection of new clothes (comparable to Violet Boutique).
While I recognize they have big name brand clothes, the used clothes are still priced a little high (pricier than Buffalo Exchange in some instances). I could probably get a cheaper price at the outlet.
Also, I tried to sell once on a weeknight and it was pretty quick. I tried to sell on a Saturday and I was waiting two hours only to realize they’d already said no to my items. Wish they had a name call system to let sellers know. Luckily I brought a book.

Awesome shop with so many choices… I needed more time to really look through it all. Some really high end items and some less expensive too… something to fit everyone :) I will definitely be back!

I wish I could give Current a better review. It’s true, I’ve seen some really neat things here-​better than a lot of the «consignment» and «vintage» in DC– but I am astounded by their prices. When a designer item is SOOO many years behind (but not enough to be «vintage») you expect a little bit of a discount.
Also when the items don’t move, you expect the prices to discount a little. I used to have an annual event that I needed a fancy dress for, and I kid you not, they would have the same dresses year in, year out here at Current. Now that’s just silly.
I eventually stopped going. To ALL their locations. There just isn’t enough turn over to justify my time spent looking!
And as someone who has consigned with them, I can say definitively that I would rather them mark down the THREE items of mine that they have had for more than TWO YEARS and give me some store credit or some cash instead of nothing at all. I think any reasonable business practice would say some sale is better than sitting on the same stock year in, year out, especially on something with such a flimsy expiration date as fashion. As an individual, I know I would prefer it.
Consignment shops in other cities and towns would eat DC’s «thrift», «consignment», and «vintage» stores alive, let me tell you. Ugh.

I consider this to be the best consignment shop in the area for several reasons:
1. They always have a wide array of designer clothes, shoes and bags. They have a much better selection than most other consignment stores
2. They are the easier shop to consign with – most consignment shops make it a big ordeal to bring in your items. With Current Boutique, you can even MAIL IN the items you want to consign. Also, when you go to any CB store, a clerk can check your consignment balance and let you know which items haven’t sold yet. The only way their consignment experience could be better is if consignors could have a log in to check online themselves. But, calling in is fine.
3.I love that there are multiple locations.
4. The staff is always friendly.

I’ve been living overseas for a few years and stopped in to Current recently when I was visiting DC. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a ton of great clothes at very reasonable prices (it did help that it was during the annual sidewalk sale so everything in the store was 20% off). I had purchased a few things here a couple of years ago, but mostly found it to be kind of overpriced. Based on my recent trip, I don’t think that’s true anymore. It was nice to find something in DC that’s actually gotten more affordable in the past few years! ;) I walked away with 5 new dresses and 2 new jackets (one work, one casual). They offer a good selection of the brands I like, including Milly, Boden, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade. The staff was really helpful and friendly. Sometimes there is a short wait for the dressing rooms, but I walked right in this time. I definitely will be back!

I guess this place is fine. They tend to have higher-​end items than the used clothing stores I frequent, where finding a designer item is like finding a hidden gem, but I also think this place is overpriced, especially given that you will have to hunt for what you want. Their racks are overcrowded, and you need to make sure you are well-​fed and hydrated before you dive in.
Aside from a pair of cheap sunglasses, I have never found anything that I’d willingly pay their prices for. I’d rather strike gold at another, lower-​priced store than try to justify spending as much as they like to charge for used clothing. For all the work you have to do to find something that you want, you’d think the prices would be lower.

I initially wrote a review weeks ago after dropping items off, but it seems that having held a retail job when I was 14 at a second-​hand store is a ‘conflict of interest’.
That said, I am reposting to warn any DC residents considering taking their items in to Current. Upon calling back to check my account, I was awarded a whopping $ 4.50 for an H&M tunic that originally ran around $ 30. When you drop off, they ask you for retail and say they typically price around 30% of retail and then you get half. Having shopped at the store, I didn’t see one piece of clothing priced under $ 10 so can’t help but be curious how my 50% split came to $ 4.50. Simple math.
On the off-​chance this is legit, it’s definitely something to keep in mind if weighing the option of selling on eBay versus bringing in items.
1. The process:
You’ll probably be lured in, just as I was, by the no appointment set up. Just come in with your clothes, give them 10 – 15 minutes, and they’re done. Here is the downside. Once they’ve cherry-​picked through your clothes, you are simply provided with what they will take with no quote of what they intend to sell the items for. This left me feeling incredibly uneasy, but with a Jr. One Bedroom in the city with little space to store superfluous items, I figured I would take what I could get. One would think if they have a system sans quotes and are going to base it on ~1/​3 of the retail price (what I was told and what you’re asked to mark on the inventory list), they would give you a copy of the items forked over. No dice. If you want any way to ensure you get what you deserve at the end of the day, I would DEFINITELY take a picture (as there is no other way to have any recourse).
2. The pricing:
I’d like to think I had great exposure to what fair second-​hand pricing looks like, particularly when it comes to certain brands. This place boggles my mind… which if you’re on the seller end, might benefit you if they actually give you an accurate cut of what the item sells for. While there are certainly some gems here and there (I got an Anthro top for ~$ 30), the majority of their clothing is overwhelmingly overpriced. Think they definitely take advantage of the prime location on 14^th street and DC tourists.
I understand that as a seller if I don’t like the policies I can take a hike and go elsewhere, but can see this shop being much more successful in the long-​run with just a few tweaks to better protect their customers and providers of 80% of their inventory.

To be honest, I don’t ever buy consignment. I’m a pretty smart shopper and don’t feel the need to purchase pre-​owned because of it. My only comment is that for re-​sale, the items are INCREDIBLY overpriced. $ 100 for a pre-​worn mid-​level designer dress is twice what it should be. If you go to Nordstrom Rack or Bloomingdale’s during a sale, you’re bound to find a better value.
My comment is about the consignment process. They don’t leave you with an itemized receipt or a copy of the inventory they take (I took a picture of the items they accepted so I remembered) and they don’t tell you upfront how much they are selling the item for, which is so shady. Because of that, there is no honor system – they could price the item at whatever value they feel and you, as the consignor, don’t have the ability to veto that and take the item back once its in their possession. The only reason I chose to consign there is because I wanted the items out of my apartment – if I was really looking to recoup money on what I bought, I’d be better selling through an online consignment store like Tradesy or Poshmark.
And how they pick the clothes? 1000% subjective based on who you get when. They passed on a ton of tagged and unworn items from designers like Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, but they sell H&M? Most people who buy consignment are more inclined to buy name brands with proof the item isn’t worn. Come on, Current Boutique. You can do better than this.

DO NOT SELL HERE.
I should have read some of the seller’s reviews before making this mistake. I brought in $ 100 Swedish clogs (in fashion at the moment) worn ONCE (they were a half size too small and I couldn’t justify keeping them. I received a check for $ 15 in the mail. $ 15. They charges $ 1 just to write me a check. Are you kidding me? I had brought them to Crossroads (Buffalo Exchange’s sister store) before Current where the really nice employee told me he could give me $ 20 for them. I should have just taken the deal. The problem with the system of Current selling is they take your items, sell them at WHATEVER price they want (they won’t tell you upfront what they’re going to price them at) and then send you a check when YOU call to check in. Not when they sell the item, it’s up to YOU to call and collect your money. Plus they take 25% just for stocking it in their store and then give you only ½ of the sold price. Garbage.
On top of that, I find the clothes to be so BORING. There is no originality, no style and no customer service to be found at the 14^th street location. Everything is made for a Georgetown student on their way to a frat mixer.

A pretty good spot to shop for pre-​owned clothing. I generally gravitate toward the $ 12 – 20 silk/​blend tops, but my favorite find was from last winter: scored a great rabbit fur coat for $ 90!
Admittedly, there’s a lot of safe/​boring J. Crew and Ann Taylor Loft cluttering the racks, and some of the items are oddly overpriced ($ 60 for a pre-​owned LOFT sweater??). But if you dig around and have the patience to visit a few times, you’re more likely to find some decent deals on more unique items.

I am so relieved to see other sellers are as unhappy with I am by Current’s system. I’ve consigned at a lot of places before and I’ve never *not* received an itemized receipt for clothing left behind without payment. (If they’re paying you up front, sure, no itemized receipt is ok because they’ll go through each item with you and your transaction is over.) I started taking my clothes to Current years ago and hated that lack of transparency from the start, so much so that several times I vowed to never go back again. But at the time, being without a car and in downtown DC area, my options were limited. (There is Secondi in Dupont Circle but I have issues with them too, plus they seem to skew a lot older…)
I would echo the sentiments of other people here to take your true designer items elsewhere because you’ll have virtually no way of knowing if they sold or how much they’re sold for. Never-​worn classic Louboutins, left in the hands of people who have every incentive to keep the entire profit and no real way to follow upon it? No thanks. Also, just an fyi, if you are determined to get them to take your clothes, try again with the rejects. I’ve had a slew of great items rejected (by someone who was new, I think) and I just waited and went back when someone else was sorting through them, or took them to the Arlington location, and had them accepted without issue.

The other reviews are right in that this place is pretty overpriced. A used J. Crew sweater will indeed run you like $ 30. I bring my clothes here because they accept most of them and it’s quick– however you don’t get paid until they sell, and they only issue checks twice a month. I usually end up just using my credit to buy things in the store. I’ll probably look at selling my stuff at Buffalo Exchange instead. There are also a lot of great websites now like Threadflip or Tradesy– you’ll get way more money for your stuff.

Pros:
–Once in awhile some unique vintage.
–Nice fitting rooms
Cons:
–SO overpriced. $ 30+ jcrew when the thrift store down the street sells it for $ 3? Purses 30−50% their original cost when buffalo sells it 10%-30%? Used clothes is used clothes, so no thanks.
–Weird pricing. Mesh white Miu Miu skirt for $ 48 but urban outfitters dress for $ 68? Um, no.
–Nothing ever goes on sale, I don’t understand how that is a smart biz move for the business, the inventory, or the customers. Nothing moves in this place, if you are undecided about something, honestly wait cause it will be there for weeks!
–Weird fellow shoppers. Some girls were talking loudly for 30 mins about some ugly shoes they had found in their size for $ 30. I’ve never heard someone repeat the same sentence over and over, again and again, to each other and anyone that would listen at the top of their voices.

Great if you’re buying, not great if you’re selling.
So seller beware.

There are three second-​hand stores on this ¾ mile stretch of 14^th St. between N and V Streets — Current, Buffalo Exchange, and Crossroads. Current is definitely the worst of the three.
They have a large selection of clothing/​handbags/​etc. — but it is not well curated, and it is extremely overpriced. It seems as if their strategy is to buy everything with a name brand, no matter how old or out of style, and charge 10−20% less than the item would have cost brand new. Not worth it.
Their racks are full of Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, BCBG, etc., but most of the items are 5 – 10 years old, and no longer remotely in style. Last time I was in I was looking for a wallet, and stumbled across a Kate Spade patent leather wallet that they probably sold in stores 3 – 5 years ago. $ 80. You could get a better deal on a NEW wallet at the Kate Spade outlet or during of their sales. I passed.
The new clothing and accessories they sell are also fairly generic and cheap-​looking.
I attempted to sell some clothing to Current when I moved in May. The woman at the front desk very condescendingly explained that they are «true consignment» shop and what that entails. What that entails is a gigantic pain in the butt for you, the seller. You wait three months, and if you’re lucky (and you remember to call or return to the store), you receive a nominal payment for the items that were sold (and only the ones that were sold).
I sold the items rejected by Current to Crossroads up the street — they were much friendlier and more accommodating (they went through my clothes while I brunched next door), and I got my payment (roughly equivalent percentage-​wise to Current’s) right then and there.
If you’re in the 14 St. area looking to do some second-​hand shopping, I would leave Current off of your list, or at least leave it for last. Definitely don’t bother selling anything here.

I no longer shop at Current Boutique. I have purchased both consignment and new items there in the past but I’m really over it. The consignment items aren’t always well-​inspected and the lighting doesn’t allow for a good review of items in all parts of the store. Once I noticed a bleach stain on a black jacket at the register and the cashier said, «Luckily you saw that now because there are no returns.»
The worst part of my experience, however, was that their no returns policy also applies to new items. I bought a cropped jacket there for an event I was working one day and it SPLIT OPEN DOWN THE BACK DURING THE EVENT. It was mortifying when my love-​to-​point-​out-​your-​shortcomings colleague told me about it just as my client was beginning to speak. I missed the most important part of the event while I changed into a mis-​matched jacket that was in my dry cleaning for the rest of the evening.
When I brought the jacket back to the store, I was appalled at the cashier’s response that, no, they don’t take returns, but she would see if she could get it sent to the tailor to be repaired. Great! So no apology for the horrible experience and I’m stuck with a cheaply made garment that’s been srepaired? Thanks. I made it clear that I would leave my jacket to get repaired but that I was not at all satisfied with the solution and asked her to pass it on to her team. A couple of weeks later I started getting voicemails from a girl who sounded really annoyed that I hadn’t been in to pick up my jacket yet. I eventually did so, and promptly donated it. Now I don’t even stop here if it is the closest store (which it is for many in DC, and the only reason I’m giving two stars instead of one) and I’m desperate for something new. yucky.

Caveat: I have only shopped here, I haven’t consigned.
They often have things I love to gawk at, but only once have I found something I liked to buy. Out of the 7 times I have visited, I’ve purchased once. Granted, they are an amazing pair of JCrew hassle black and cognac loafers, I wish I could count on this place for clothing.
The clothes aren’t terrible, just overly worn and for that reason, overpriced. I’d consign here, just to try it out. Check back, I may have an update.

Not bad…
It’s hard to judge a vintage shop on one visit alone, but that’s all I have to help me write this review. I say it’s hard because it depends on what the stock is on that particular trip. You might find a gem on one trip and think it’s the best place in the world just because you have good timing and vice versa.
This store is pretty decently sized so there’s a big selection but that doesn’t mean that it’s good stuff. My friend found a Michael Kors bag that was really pretty but it was priced at over $ 150. We weren’t sure about the original price but we both agreed you could find a similar, brand new bag for a cheaper price at TJ Maxx or something. And note that this wasn’t a special, vintage, one-​of-​a-​kind bag or anything.
I think it’s a fun store for window shopping and killing some time but it’s not the greatest vintage store I’ve been to.