Prima Donna’s Closet

Loved this shop! My daughter was looking for a long white vintage dress for her high school graduation. Ms. Nell found the perfect dress for her! If you don’t see what you want on the rack, Ms. Nell works her magic and finds it in the back!

This lovely consignment shop has been the ultimate «find» during my stay here in NOLA. Miss Nellie and Miss Nell (yes, they essentially have the same name, and they are marvelous, each in her own way) took EXCEPTIONAL care of me (and my honey) during my two visits to the shop.
Im addition to their genuine warmth and professionalism, the clothing, shoes, and accessories here have clearly been selected with a discerning eye (Miss Nell was a professional buyer, and it shows!). The pieces are all fashionable; most are of level of quality that makes them timeless.
If you are looking for a special occasion (i.e. wedding, reception, etc.) outfit, an affordable designer item, or simply to add some pizzazz to your existing wardrobe, I highly recommend this inviting shop.
The aptly naned Prima Donna allows the «prima donna» in any woman to blossom, at prices well within reach. Pay them a visit if you happen to be in town and are in need of a wardrobe update (and a warm welcome!). You’ll be glad you did.
Thank you Miss Nellie and Miss Nell. I’ll be back!

Avoid at all costs, if you attempt to consign any items there. In my instance, they have not honored their agreement. When I requested a written accounting of what sold, I was denied, owner Nell stating their system could not do this. When I attempted to obtain my items that did not sell, I was told they would require 48-​hours to «pull them», –I gave them 96 hours, waited 45 min at the front counter, only to be told they were not available yet. I have found them to be untrustworthy and I will not return. Again, beware!

Go elsewhere!
Brought in an unworn $ 850 wedding dress that the store sold for $ 79 after only 60 days on consignment.
I called a couple times for a status & went into the store on 3 occasions and was told the system was not updated (due to Metairie store closing) & they would track my dress & call me back.
Finally after months of the run around I was told today that they sold it for $ 79.
I understand that the contract says that selling price is up to the store’s discretion, but $ 79?!? REALLY?!? I could have done better on Craigslist.
The $ 32 I received is a slap in the face & I literally lost $ 100’s because of these inconsiderate people.
Of course they said according to their «system» they tried to reach me several times. I double checked voicemail & email from the last few months & NOTHING!
I was told a manager would call me today, but that hasn’t happened either.

In Italian, «Prima Donna» means «first lady” – and that’s pretty much what I felt like, wandering through this adorable boutique. Like royalty! The clothes are so cute and classy, and the prices are eye-​poppingly good. I kept girding my loins when I reached for a price tag, expecting the worst, only to find myself pleasantly surprised each and every time. I didn’t know it was possible to get such great deals on such exquisite vintage clothing!
Also, Stephanie, the owner, is beyond fabulous. My mom, sister, and I were in town for the day, and she chatted with us for fifteen minutes, giving us all sorts of ideas for places to eat and things to see. She was the epitome of the Big Easy: warm, personable, and enchantingly laid back. She even had tips on good vintage shops in Dallas, where we’re from!
Prima Donna’s Closet was a sunny spot in our trip. I highly recommend it. Next time I’m going to scour the bookstores for a «Prima Donna’s Guide to New Orleans.» I’d choose Stephanie over Frommer any day!

This store is a gem. I usually have problems finding shirts at department stores that are long enough for my arms and big enough for my neck. I purchased 3 cuff link shirts for $ 45 and found out later that the shirts cost $ 145 each online. The managers Nel «Queenie» and Brenda are fabulous ladies who add personal attention to your shopping experience. I’ll be back definitely!!!

I visited the store on Old Metairie Rd while on vacation and i am not a fan. It smelled like moth balls. There was barely any high end in sight and prices were too high. i mean if it came from Target, I am not looking in a consignment shop for it. Lots of coach and Dooney… although i have seen better prices on new at the outlets.

Great designer brands at less than half the price. Check out their shoes; jimmy choo, Chanel, Manolo Blahnik WOW! They also have a whole separate area for men and special occassion dresses. The owner is very nice and discounted a top that was scheduled to go on sale the following day (which they would be closed). Great handbag selection too.

Prima Donna’s Closet has a vast array of consignment and new-​ish clothing, shoes and accessories to peruse and and try on. There’s two large rooms and you should plan at least an hour to check out everything.
If you’re a looking for status labels, there’s quite a few: St. John, Chanel, Michael Kors, Coach, etc. Is there a down side? Yes.
When I’m looking at these finds, at some point you have to decide to sell them, and not turn the shop into a museum of clothes you love. For example: those St. John suits Nancy Reagan wrote in 1988? They’re not going to sell for $ 900.00. The markups are way too high, and hopefully, it’s not designed so patrons will purchase the frequent buyer card.

Had a mini-​shopping-​palooza today and hit a few of the clothing consignment shops (Prima Donna, Swap, Encore, and On the Other Hand) uptown in search of a formal gown that would fit my short, curvy self. So I feel confident in my comparisons.
Prima Donna’s Closet is located in the Garden District right on the streetcar line. It is very organized and has a good selection of shoes (green patent leather Jimmy Choo boots — thank goodness they weren’t my size), accessories and a variety of women’s clothing. Several of the gowns I tried on were actually new, so I didn’t have to examine them as closely for stains or damage. The quality of the merchandise is good, but the prices reflect that. There is a clearance room in the back but you have push past the enormous wedding gowns.
Not sure why Plus sizes is in the name. They carried from size 2 to 3x.