SHOP GIRL
Love Me Two Times, Boutique Consignment
Where: 600 Wyndhurst Avenue, Baltimore, 21210 (410) 323-1070
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11-5. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Love Me Two Times is high-end consignment for women who know their stuff. Barely worn Chanels, Dolce & Gabbanas, Helmut Langs, Manolo Blahniks and Yves St. Laurents rival the selections of vintage shops in L.A and Manhattan. Its owner, Andrea Kaplan, a former buyer at the former Octavia, is that rare bird, a lovable, unintimidating fashionista who knows her Prada, but is also happy to admire your Missoni-for-Target dress. She’s been collecting vintage clothes for decades, and has the loyal consigners that keep her selection ever-changing and always worth a visit. “We get a surprising amount of stock that is new with tags – buyer’s remorse is this shop’s best friend,” she says happily.
Located in Roland Park, across from two other popular consignment shops, Re Deux and Little Lamb, Love Me Two Times has become a must stop for women who love their designer labels. Ravens and Oriole wives shop (and consign) here, as do celebrities (no names, sorry), Maryland senators and Baltimore socialites. As we talk, one Baltimore banker racks up $2,600 worth of designer evening and tailored clothing.
It’s jam-packed in here, but not claustrophobic. No Talbot or Chico’s labels, and treasure at every turn. A Giorgio Armani Black Label jacket is priced at $350 — $3,000 when new, not so long ago. A knock-out pair of tribal-inspired, beaded and ankle strapped Jimmy Choo stilettos, never worn, are $495. “I know that’s not cheap, but they were $1,195 at retail.” A deep red, belted Burberry jacket by Burberry, $265. There’s a selection of Lululemon activewear, never worn. A Milly silk Pucci-inspired halter dress, $174.50. A pleated Balenciaga cocktail dress, in shimmering coral, with tags still on, $1,200. Never-worn Henri Bendel cashmere cardigans, $60. Andrea loves them all. Each one has a story. Each one has its own charms.
If a price seems high, she’ll tell you why, what the same or similar is going for on Ebay (usually more), and may cut you a deal on the spot – especially if she senses that your heart and soul are there, but your wallet is lagging behind. Sometime, she can’t bargain, because she has “promised my consigner, who is actually a friend, that I wouldn’t sell it for less, ” adding apologetically, “I’m only as good as my consigners.” Her consignment split is 50/50 (about average). Clothes are priced at roughly one third retail, depending on age and quality. New with tags is priced about half of retail.
Creativity: A+ for the selection — informed, witty and brave – Andrea takes chances on things that not everyone can wear, or afford, and that’s what makes the store a stand-out.
Service: A+ Never pushy, always enthusiastic, with free of charge accessorizing tips, bits of fashion history, latest runway news, honest opinions, and how-to-wear-it demonstrations. And if you want to quietly flip through the racks, that’s okay too.
Price: $$$ $1,300 is a great price for a new Azzedine Alaia dress, but only if you know that it was $3,700 at Bergdorf’s last season…
Best Find: Those Jimmy Choo stilettos…
