Sophisticated Seconds

I had such a bad experience here and it had nothing to do with the clothes. I’ve been here several times — as a customer I was totally ignored, and as a person hoping to engage in thier consignment process, I was treated like a total burden. The women who work there are SO RUDE and NASTY. Absolutely AWFUL customer service, I would say set your sights to the South Street location instead, much more pleasant.

I can usually find something here if I come in and just browse. It’s not a huge store — they have a limited selection, so I have less success if I come in looking for something specific.
The best way to approach shopping here is with an open mind. Don’t come here expecting to find anything in particular. Just look around & find what treasures await you

I was directed to SS by staff at Buffalo Exchange as a potentially more receptive place for my evening wear and suits. Be warned. You are supposed to have an appointment if you’d like to consign items. I didn’t, but they accommodated me anyway. I wouldn’t chance it next time. The lady at the front was not nice but the ladies in the back were helpful, particularly Laura. This is definitely a place for people other than college kids. Laura gave me some guidance about when to return with items she thought they would be interested in carrying in the Spring. They are looking for good brands in great condition. I would try them out for more classic, less trendy items. I would definitely try them out for an evening gown or business suit. Next time, I will shop.

Selection is pretty lacking for me, and maybe this has to do with the fact that the clothing and items they offer here aren’t suited to my style but are suited to others’. I prefer Nordstrom Rack and Buffalo Exchange, both of which are bigger and offer a larger selection of accessories, clothing, shoes, etc and possibly a faster turnover of items/​restocking of new. The woman at the counter though was very helpful and nice though, and I saw a few regulars who really seemed to love the place and were chatting with her.

This is my favorite consignment store in Philly for a few reasons:
1) The sales associates are nice people (niceness in consignment is a rarity apparently)
2) It’s not pretentious. They sell clothes from a range of designers, both high and low. It’s all mixed in together. You have to look.
3) Completely reasonable prices. For instance I saw not one but two Max Mara wool coats on sale for $ 25.
I rest my case.

It’s consignment so the prices will naturally be higher. However, when they have sales, you can get shirts for 2 – 3 $ a piece and pants too I think. They have some sort of deal every week in regards to the colors on the tags. I got a beautiful black gown for 20 $, but I also saw some that got as high as 200 $. It just depends. Will definitely be heading back though. Any thrift venue like this you just need to frequent often to find good items.

Shop is great for browsing. I always find at least one gem. Recent purchases include a hand, embroidered skirt and a current season dress with the tags attached. Owner is onsite and very helpful.

I thought I had already found all of the thrift/​resale/​consignment shops in this and surrounding neighborhoods so was excited to try this spot after reading the reviews. In short, unimpressed and turned off — will not bother returning. Clothing first– I always give shops like this more than one chance if I don’t find anything. But even without the ‘atmosphere issues’ (coming next) I don’t think it’s worth it. Overall clothing was too dingy and worn, even for what it is. Cheap brands outweigh anything else, and they are priced no lower than deals I find for the same thing at Marshall’s brand new!
But even worse– I went in and stayed over 20 minutes. Three or four ladies working and not one even said hello. One did chat up a guy who was obviously a regular and another did begrudgingly help a lady who basically insisted on it. And while one did answer a question I had, she did it with an attitude-​maybe because I had to go to the back and interrupt her gossip session about her horrible break-​up (this from a mature middle aged woman, not a twenty something).
But the deal breaker was when I had to listen to the two up front from the moment I walked in, trash the customers. More than a dozen times, these descriptives were used: annoying, crazy, dumb, stupid… and more often than not with the suffix ‘a$$’ added. They just wouldn’t stop. It’s pretty embarrassing when grown women act this way in a business, about the CUSTOMERS! I could be their daughter and I’m old enough to know not to talk like that.
In the end, I did find a shirt that would look good on my boyfriend, but put it back after deciding that I don’t want to support people like that with my purchases. In fact, now that I’m writing this, I’m wondering why I am being so generous with two stars.

I LOVE this place! I really do. There are two Sophisticated Seconds stores in the area and I am sandwiched right between them! Because of this, I find myself popping into each one regularly. I usually find something I have to take home. This last time it was a sterling silver belt buckle with genuine turquoise stones. The price? $ 5. I got it polished up nicely back at home. The ladies at the store are always super friendly and sweet. I have my eye on a Burberry purse there, though I doubt it will make it to my desired price range. Still, you just never know what you’ll find here and the sales are amazing!

Very impressive store and management, I’ve purchased and consigned clothing there and have always been pleased. I would recommend Sophisticated Seconds for both shopping and consigning. You really need a good attitude going into the store if you are consigning, realizing that you will never recoup what you paid for the item, its better getting something for an unwanted item rather than nothing and tossing it or donating it. This place surpasses the Buffalo Exchanged for quality, service, and prices.

I’m actually really disappointed to have to rate SS at 2 stars, but just as I was beginning to think this place had a chance of gaining my regular business, I had an UNBELIEVABLE experience that has made me vow to never step foot in this establishment again. I’ll have to stick to eBay for my cheap fashion fixes.
After recently moving to the RIttenhouse Square area from Washington, DC for grad school, I strolled into SS a few times on my way to the shopping district and never really found anything worth my while. On one occasion, however, I lucked up and found a fantastic pair of Cole Haan cowboy boots for around $ 80 and a silver brooch for $ 20. The owner was so polite and even helped me read the stamp on the rear of the brooch with a magnifying glass. As a brooch collector, I was thrilled with the purchase and raved about the place to everyone who would listen. Unfortunately, my next, and last, visit was not nearly so nice.
I stopped by SS on Christmas Eve 2011 while on my way for coffee and pastries at a coffee shop nearby– hoping to score a quick treasure to add to my collection. A few minutes later, I found myself accused of theft (at a thrift shop. how insulting) and utterly pissed off.
I looked around the store for maybe 10 minutes and waited patiently at the front counter for assistance with a brooch that I really wanted to see. However, the shop girl was helping someone else and didn’t even so much as acknowledge any of the other shoppers who were standing around seeking help.
Since the wait was so long, I walked over to look at the wallets and small accessories near the checkout area. Nothing seemed great, so I left the store, cranked up my ipod, and headed for coffee.
A few blocks later, I’m waiting at a crosswalk and someone taps me on my back and is saying something to me. I turn around and see a random girl– I have no idea who she is– face red from the cold wind, out of breath and panting as if she’d just finished a 5 mile marathon. I turn my music down and take off my sunglasses in an attempt to figure out who she is and what she wants from me. I’m thinking she is going to ask me for bus fare or for $ 3 to buy a hot sandwich.
«Where’s the wallet?» she asks, with a really snooty and pretentious snare on her face. At this point, I realized that she must work at SS. «What wallet?» I respond.
«The crocodile wallet; you picked it up and now it’s gone. I couldn’t find it after you left the store.»
My chin must have hit the pavement after hearing this shocking accusation. I stood on the corner of a busy street in 20-​something degree weather in absolute disbelief that I had reached this new low in my life– being accused by some trashy chic (sorry, but you are what you are) of theft from a thrift shop– in Philadelphia. The nerve!!!
I opened my bag and began to show her the contents because I really had nothing to hide and I wanted to make sure that she KNEW how big of and idiot she was for accusing ME of theft and being WRONG!!! I was carrying Louis Vuitton, by the way. My bag was nearly empty so it was easy for her to see that there was nothing inside but my sunglass case, Nook Color, keys, and pack of gum. She walked away and did not even bother to apologize for her stupidity.
I started to walk away and continue with my day, but I couldn’t. My heart was racing and my anger building. The audacity of this girl really bothered me, and I had no idea what she said about me to the other people in the store. So I walked back to the s***hole where it all went down. There she was– at the front checkout desk. I walked up and introduced myself as «the person you just chased down and accused of stealing a wallet». I offered to help her find this wallet that she claimed I had stolen. I, again, showed her that this infamous wallet was not inside of my bag. In all honesty, I don’t recall seeing a crocodile wallet at all. Perhaps she imagined it. Anyway, I introduced myself, asked for her name (which is Heather, by the way) and wished her a Merry Christmas.
In conclusion, I shall not ever again patronize this establishment. Additionally, I think Heather is better suited for a job with the police academy or something of the like.

The owner is a super helpful woman if you’re lucky enough to find her in that location. I don’t walk away with something every time, but the couple of suits I have bought have been more than worth the effort and attractively priced for between 70 and 120. Thanks SS!

I’ve never been impressed with Sophisticated Seconds. I would stop in and browse every few weeks but most of their men’s clothing looked like something my great-grandfather’s less stylish younger brother might have worn during the Great Depression.
Today, however, I was drawn in by their annual clearance sale and chanced upon a double-​breasted Burberry trench coat for which I paid a mere $ 140. (Retail cost: approx. $ 1,895 —
) You might say I am smitten with this coat; it is now in the good care of my tailor and I eagerly await the moment when we will be reunited.
Thanks for making that happen Sophisticated Seconds.

The selection seemed to be wide and varied. However, like all thrifts, one needs to really search for the gems. I was immediately impressed by the vintage Burberry coats they had for men. There must’ve been at least five varieties. There were some nice button downs and sweaters as well but of course, most are in one size only and none really fit me.
I did walk away, however, with a Polo Ralph Lauren brown dress belt with a gold buckle for $ 18 that was lightly used. Nice.

Women rave about SS for reselling designer duds for cheap. I guess SS’s pricing is cheap compared to retail for Chanel, D&G, and whatever else. Here’s the thing – designer does not equal attractive. I find a fair proportion of the items here to be icky, but SS doesn’t cater to 20 somethings, so that makes sense.
Ladies also love to consign their items here. It’s a fair way to get a bit of $ back for an item with value, but be prepared for SS not to take something they don’t want. They aren’t afraid to say no, honey.
This Sansom location is quite small. It doesn’t appear larger than the old location on 18^th to me, but hey, what do I know. SS has menswear, too; I just never look at it. And of course there’s hats, jewelry, and bags.
Overall, this isn’t a spot for thrifting. Yes for vintage, and yes for secondhand designer. This might be a cool spot to shop for formalwear. You’ll probably find something more haute or funky than the avg retailer for the same price or less. Plus buying pre-​owned is kind of like recycling, and it’s just more fun.