Inga’s Once Is Not Enough

I’m a frequent consignor and consignment store shopper. My favorite consignment store for selection and service is Michael’s on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
I visited Inga’s for the first time on 12/​21/​2015. On the visit, I took my time going through the store’s inventory and trying on items; I was there about 2 hours.
During my visit, I found Hazel to be very helpful and pleasant. I also spent some time listening to Inga tell me about a recent leak in the ceiling of the back room, while she showed me purses.
There are certainly some lovely items at this store and I purchased two tops (one Diane von Furstenberg silk blouse for $ 69 and one Torrey Burch cotton tunic for $ 59), so I consider it a successful consignment store excursion.
All in all, it’s a higher end consignment store and things are priced on the high side for what they are (and don’t seem to get marked down with any logic.) I strongly considered a black Chanel long coat that had been marked down slightly. When Inga saw me trying it on, she started a hard sell and told me it had just arrived at the store. (If it had just arrived at the store, why was it marked down?)
I will probably go back to the store, but won’t rush to do so.

If you are a consignor, Inga’s is not user friendly. Prepare to be insulted. And prepare to be asked to bring in other things to consign.

It’s a gloomy Saturday in December, but me and my girlfriend were hitting a few estate sales in DC mainly in the upper NW area. A fun/​favorite hobby to purchase some really cool vintage pieces, as well as to add to my vintage inventory… someday I’ll be open for business on a regular basis. But for now I’m hustling and bustling! Finishing up at the last estate sale, she had to make a stop at Inga’s Once is Not Enough (OINE). Now it’s been awhile since I’ve been there so I decided to go in… again. Of course my girlfriend said she was «just going in to pick up a purse for her daughter» and would be right back out… yeah right! We both have similar taste level in clothes pretty much and needless to say once in there it was at least an hour later when we left out. I forgot how «freaking» amazing this shop is… it’s a fashionista’s fashion haven. OMG, I appreciate Inga’s fashion and taste level in clothing, and I can’t express enough words to describe the most gorgeous and fashionable clothes that are very gently used; if worn at all. My crazy self didn’t have a major credit card (and good thing I didn’t at the time) with me cause I would have done some damage… although not to the extreme cause I still had bills to pay! But the friendly and vey helpful associate is holding a few items for me that I’ll be returning to pick up. That’s what I call service with a smile. Price wise, I can honestly say there’s a range but it depends on your budget. I saw prices from $ 6 (no joke) on up. Everything is neat and in its proper place within arms reach; and good lighting… so what you think you see you actually see. Ah vintage clothes and Inga’s OINE… it works for me!

If Inga carried more mens clothing, I’d never step foot in Neimans or Saks again. That said, she always carries a small, but quality assortment of designer– quality shirts, ties, sweaters and jackets. For the woman who loves labels, Inga’s is heaven-​sent. She and her pleasant staff are always willing to point you in the right direction, whether you want Chanel, St. John’s or a more youthful designer. While the price points range from $ 50 to $ 2,500… My mother has benefited over the past 15 years… with special gifts from Inga’s. such as handbags, jewelry and cashmere. Word of Warning: Don’t come with an attitude about resale clothing… or to talk loudly on your cell phone. This place for the serious shopper only.

I had a hard time deciding on star # for Inga’s. Here’s why– I heard about Inga’s being a mecca for Saks’-esque labels at rock-​bottom prices. Weeeelllll… not really.
Yes, there racks of well-​known couture brands– escada, armani, st. John, chanel, jimmy choo, manolo’s, gucci, louboutin. Great labels for the label conscious. But, for a girl with a keen eye for fashion but obsessed with discounts… not sure if I will return. Here’s my synopsis:
— the prices run over $ 100/​shoes, jackets $ 200+, sweaters $ 100+. higher end couture brands (max mara, st. John, chanel) over $ 500 each item. A random solid cotton jersey dress was $ 100. Yes, I am well aware of retail prices but items depreciate the instant they are no longer new.
— they have a HUGE selection of skirt suits & pant suits, wide selection of formal dresses (most in size ⁶⁄₈), moderate jacket selection, small non-​formal dress selection, a couple of belts, a few random weird handbags (NOT the place for bags), plus a tiny men’s section
— the selection is mainly for the ‘older.’ woman. I’m barely in my 30s, and 95% of the items would make me look frumpy or old, except for the shoes. most were contemporary, but many were very, very well worn. I am a germ freak, so used shoes don’t work for me and $ 100 – 200 for very worn shoes? No.
— along the same vein, some of the styles were definitely early 2000s/​late 1990s and I’m not talking great vintage pieces.
— the store kinda smelled stale. :(
Lastly, while the owner of the store & store clerk were exceedingly nice to me, one of the patrons (who seemed to be a regular given that Inga knew her by name) was blatantly rude to me; huffing & interrupting me as I was telling the clerk the dress I tried on didn’t quite work for me. Sorry, mean shopper: you cannot be arrogant in a consignment store. If that’s a «typical» client for Inga’s, I most certainly won’t be returning.

It is sad to see an old favorite fade. The store needs a thorough cleaning in many ways, beginning with the noticeable odor of stale perfume and perspiration, upon entering. The racks of clothes are jammed with items I have seen there for years on end. The prices do not go down as an item stays. The condition of the shoes is poor with pricing that does not match. It is apparent that the styles carried, mainly Chanel and St. John’s reflect a bygone era of ladies who lunch. There is an ocassional prize to be had, however, and an interesting way to while away a rainy Saturday morning.

I’ve stopped in here twice, and I’ve had wonderful luck finding shoes both times, making me think that it might not just be luck but instead a damn good selection. First time I went, I picked up a pristine pair of black Gucci heels with the signature horse bit and bamboo detail for about 100. The second time, I found gorgeous brown Fendi flats for 85. The selection of clothes, at least for me, is not as stellar. I prefer Secondi for clothes, as it seems to carry more of a Theory, Elie Tahari type look, rather than a Chanel or Escada one… A bit younger, I guess. But for shoes, this place is spot on!

This is a shop that has a fantastic selection for professional women, with unbeatable prices. Exactly what you would want in a consignment shop, quality, price and brand name :) I visit at least once a month and I never leave empty handed.
The customer service could improve a little, most of the ladies who work there are your grandmother’s peers and act like it… they are entiteled but they don’t make for the most helpfull or friendly people when it comes to customer service.

Just visited Inga’s this past weekend for the first time in about 6 months or so. I used to go more often, but stopped because everything was so expensive. They have definitely made some changes– in a good way. First, they have finally realized we’re in a recession and have priced things more reasonably (but all of their Channel is still too much money even though it’s 10 + years old, pills everywhere, and smells like moth balls). I found a great pair of Dior ankle boots in really good condition for $ 100 which I was happy with. They also cleaned up a little and got rid of the boxes of shoes. I always thought they needed to do something about those because the shoes would get so ruined and scuffed in the boxes but they still priced them really high. Anyway, if you haven’t been in a while, it’s worth going back– and if you’ve never been, it’s worth a shot if you’re looking for high end stuff.

Inga’s is hard to rate for a number of reasons.
1) I don’t think I’m their target demographic. Most things were old ladyish and reminded me of the clothes my mom used to wear in the early 90’s: St. John suits, conservative sweaters, matronly cuts, etc.
2) It’s very difficult to critically review an establishment when you realize it’s owned by a living, breathing, feeling human being. Apparently the owner of Inga’s has adopted a young military veteran who lost both legs, one hip, and one arm. There’s a very heartwarming Washingtonian article about their relationship displayed in the store. Seriously, I almost cried.
Herein lies the conflict of critique and the moral of my story: I’d be lying if I gave Inga’s a great rating and lying by omission if I didn’t mention my underwhelming experience. But the woman who runs the store seems like an amazing human being. And again, I am not the ideal customer at Inga’s.
All that said, here’s my honest assessment…
I thought Inga’s had a pretty large selection. Some designer items made me wonder how they know the garment is really designer or if it’s a knockoff. I know labels change over time, but certain things seemed too poorly made to really be Dolce and Gabbana, for example.
Also, I saw a Nicole Miller dress that I bought approximately 3 years ago. When I bought it new, I recall it being around $ 300. At Inga’s, the exact same dress was on sale for around $ 350. If my memory is correct, that means the USED dress at Inga’s is more expensive than the NEW dress at Nordstrom. Stuff like that really makes me doubt the consignment and pricing process at a used clothing store.
***Edit 10/​1/​09***
I found the tags for the Nicole Miller dress. The MSRP is $ 290. It’s on sale at Inga’s for $ 348.

Inga’s isn’t what it used to be 10 plus years ago, when it was one of the first consignments shops in DC. I stopped by last week since I was in the neighborhood and was disappointed with the completely crammed racks and dowdyness of most of the work clothes. There is so much competition now, I’m suprised this place hasn’t gotten a facelift/​makeover.

If Inga’s were on a metro line, I’d be there all the time, and I’d always be broke, and my wardrobe would be fabulous. Luckily — or unluckily, depending on how you look at it — it’s a sorta long ride on the D6 to Palisades, and they close early on the weekdays (around 4, I think), so unless I finagle a Saturday ride somehow, it’s hard for me to justify the trip. That said, Inga’s is worth the trip.
Inga’s is where to find haute couture within the top ranges of a limited budget. No, you won’t find $ 5 T-​shirts here. There are no faded jeans, trucker caps, or frilly aprons a la Goodwill. This is high-​end consignment for people looking for high-​end wardrobe additions. It’s also proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to look like a fortune, and that you should never, ever pay retail price for the brand name.
Like any consignment store, the selection will vary, so you might find a steal and you might walk away empty-​handed. Everything is in top-​notch condition, from this year’s Jean Paul Gaultier to a 1960s Chanel. In fact, there’s a whole Chanel corner. There’s also a wall of beautiful evening dresses, a wall of cashmere, a wall of suit fixings, and racks of separates.
Inga et. al. are perfectly turned out older women who have keen eyes for style. They know the inventory inside and out and are more than willing to help you whatever your fashion quest. They also have impeccable eyes for size and fit and have many times recommended something to me, something I wouldn’t have picked out for myself. When I get it on, it fits like a glove. (It’s like a superpower. Really, it’s amazing.) So don’t hesitate to ask for opinions, help, advice. 20-​somethings might roll their eyes at some of the more mature-​looking suits; 50-​somethings might sniff at the Theory sundresses, but here’s my advice: Just try it. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Remember to browse their small and fantastic jewelry selection and remember examine the shoes, too; even for my size 10s, they have some Manolos and Jimmy Choos occasionally, and at far, far less than the original $ 600+ price tag.

Looking for a DC equivalent of New York’s IENA? Then you’ll be very pleased with Inga’s. Stuff’s in very good condition, there is a ton of selection, and it’s all high end. Manolo Blahnik, Theory, Gucci, you name it. Most of the suits and overcoats border on the little old lady side of the fashion spectrum, but there are still a lot of good buys to be had here.

I was thinking of buying a designer bag (and I’m talking de-​sign-​er like Prada or Hermes) online, until I fell upon this place. Spend a few minutes here and you’ll learn why Inga is known as the queen of resale couture.
Like the day I was there, you’ll typically find Inga, the owner, inside. She is warm and welcoming. which extends to the friendly vibe of the shop. The quality of all of the clothes and accessories is top-​notch. Inga takes her «lightly worn» rule seriously. So, every item is in exceptional condition. Some even seem new!
If you don’t know much about high end designers, not to worry because the store and racks are divides up into each label– one fore Chanel, and one for Escada.
And if you’re like me and always wanted a pair of Manolos but was leary about paying full price? Ingas got a bunch here.