Estelle, the Baggot Street boutique selling bags, shoes and accessories, has closed for business. But this isn't a recessionary tale of doom and gloom. It's a story about adapting your business to move with the times. Its proprietor, Sharon Smurfit, has re-opened this week under the name Wear It Again, a secondhand clothes shop with a difference. The idea is that women will drop in those items in their wardrobe that they have grown tired of or never wear. Wear it Again will collect the items, price them and sell them in the shop, and you'll then receive a cheque for 50% of the sale, when it sells. For the vendor, it's an opportunity to clear out the wardrobe and make some cash. For the bargain hunter, it's a wonderful chance to pick up pre-loved designer goodies. Dolce & Gabbana, Diane Von Furstenberg, Karen Millen, Prada, Nanette Lepore, Ghost, Ralph Lauren, Juicy Couture and Missoni are just some of the labels available.

High-street labels stocked are only mid-high range so you'll also find some classic Zara gear and Principles dresses. Prices can start from as little as €10 for a Ralph Lauren tee-shirt. What kind of return can people who contribute items for sale expect? "We have a Dolce & Gabbana dress that cost €700 or €800 originally and we're pricing it at €250. At the end of the day we are a secondhand shop. People cannot expect to get back exactly what they paid for but if they give a quantity of items then they should expect a good return at the end of the month," Smurfit says. Goods have to be in good condition, with no missing buttons or broken zips, and Wear It Again will hold it for 60 days. After 30 days, it reserves the right to cut the price, but there's no point in punters looking for a discount – they'll just have to come back in 30 days time and see if it's still there.

As to what kind of steals you can pick up here, on the eve of the shop's official opening we spotted a Marc Jacobs silky top (€50), a grey cashmere Juicy Couture zip top (€50) and a pair of unworn Christian Louboutin wedges for only €100, which, tragically, were two sizes
too big.

wear it again

147 Lower Baggot Street

Dublin 2

Tel: 01 6610060

Sharon.wearitagain@gmail.com