Photo Ina Bernstein and her son Milo Bernstein, co-owners of INA Men. Credit Krista Schlueter for The New York Times
"Consignment" is not a dirty word in New York City. The proximity to the fashion industry means that the $1,200 suit hanging in the racks of a consignment shop may have come straight from the runway, especially at INA stores, where the clothing and accessories are selected with care and taste.
Named after its founder, Ina Bernstein, of the fashionable chain's six shops, one is dedicated to men's wear, INA Men, at 19 Prince Street. Milo Bernstein, an INA co-owner and Ms. Bernstein's son (the two are shown above), offered shopping tips from the Prince Street store.
How do you determine the prices of the clothes?
There's no Blue Book value on this stuff. It's all decided on how well it sells. We get a Thom Browne suit in and mark it for one-third of the original price, and it will set that day. We do really great with shoes. A lot of our shoes come from the runway or from a shoot. Though once a shoe is worn, its value drops drastically. It's like a used car with dents in it.
What are the outerwear pieces that people are buying this winter?
We're doing really well with leathers. I actually grabbed this today. It's a Rick Owens leather jacket. It's leather on the front and fabric on the back, with a Mandarin collar. Like a biker jacket, but slimmer.
What should someone look for in an overcoat that might not be new?
You can tell how often a coat has been worn by how loosely the buttons hang. You have to look at the edging. On an overcoat, I'd check out the seam on the front, because it's going to be brushing up against the other seam, and that's where it tends to get worn down. Elbows, on anything, but especially on a coat.
What's the most expensive thing you've ever sold?
A Louis Vuitton trunk, two years ago, $16,000. We have this Chanel basket, from the runway show, which we haven't sold yet, for $10,000.
