Sophisticated Seconds

            Unlike several other consignment and thrift stores I have visited in and around Philadelphia, I didn’t hear about Sophisticated Seconds from other people. Instead, I found the store online while looking up top consignment stores in the city. Highly rated through Yelp, I decided to go in and see if I my trip would be as successful as that of the reviewers. Located at 2019 Sansom Street, right near Shake Shack, the store is cute and inviting. If I weren’t already there on purpose, I probably would have stopped in on my own. Currently, it is running a sale on winter coats because, as I have mentioned before, everyone is trying to get rid of their winter clothes for spring items. Sophisticated Seconds is small but it seemed have a lot to offer. I casually browsed through the front of the store when I saw a Louis Vuitton bag sitting on a shelf for only $33. But as I examined the tag, I saw it was a fake. I was disappointed but at least the store didn’t try to pretend it was real.

Left and Right: Google

Next, I went through the women’s dress rack and found a Michael Kors dress for $40 and an Isaac Mizrahi suit for the same. These were good finds but nothing out of the ordinary. The woman working the register was very nice and offered her help but I wanted to look around first and see if the store was worth my time. Well, I’m glad I did because I found the greatest hidden fashion treasure that I had ever come across while visiting consignment stores. When I went back to the coat section, I came across a black leather jacket. I almost shuffled past it, but the feel and look of the soft leather caught my attention. When I pulled it out for a better look, I saw this jacket was an Alice & Olivia piece. I looked at the tag and saw Sophisticated Seconds was selling this jacket for $53. The regular retail price is $880! I couldn’t believe that this unassuming little store was selling such a once-in-a-lifetime item. I wish I could tell you that I am now the proud owner of an Alice & Olivia leather jacket but, I cannot.  I think the markdown shocked me so much that I walked out of the store empty handed, or at least that’s what I tell myself. I forgot the golden rule of thrifting: never leave something you want behind. It will not be there when you go back for it. That’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way.

            If you’re prepared to look around the store, Sophisticated Seconds is a great place to visit. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday from 10:30am – 6:00pm and Wednesday through Friday 10:30am – 7:00pm.

A man in the store, Greg, said he found a Burberry trench coat hidden among the racks and paid $143. Those coats will normally run you over $1,800. You may not be successful on your first trip or even your second but, the third time you could find your own version of the Alice & Olivia jacket. Don’t make my mistake; buy it as soon as you see it! There is also a second Sophisticated Seconds location at 2204 South Street.

Try your luck at one or both!