Siopaella Designer Exchange

There are some deals to be had at Siopaella!! This place was packed on a Friday afternoon.

I browsed through all the racks and stumbled upon a D&G red and black carnation dress for £249! It fit like a glove and it definitely went home with me.

My friend found a Mini Celine bag she'd been wanting for years and took that home with her. The bag was in amazing condition and a few hundred dollars cheaper than back in the states.

Service was very friendly and it's definitely worth stopping in to browse.

AMAZING!!!

Super friendly and helpful staff!

Got the cutest top ever for 4 quid and it is COS!!!

Highly recommended place to swing by to check out designer clothes, shoes and purses. I found few pairs of loubies (not my size unfortunately). When I was there Shop had 2 Hermes Kelly Cut clutches, about 10-15 Louis Vuitton bags, few Celine, diors, Tiffany and Chanel items. Friendly staff, Owner is very friendly, you got to say Hi and ask to see if she has any new items just came in, who knows, she might have it. Check out the website, her shop is online and ships worldwide. 2 of her staff are the models for the store blogs. I didn't realized it until after I left. Wow stylish ladies. I had awesome time shopping, chit chatting while I am here in Dublin. Will definitely shop online when I am back in state.

I don't think I've ever been happier to discover a shop as I have this one - practically any clothes I bought over winter I found here, including an incredible-looking, excellent quality brand new winter coat for 75 euros that would keep you warm in a blizzard. In fact if I walk into BTs in this coat, shop assistants look at me optimistically as if I might actually be a real prospect; poor them, but I got a good laugh out of it. The husband picked up a gorgeous Alpaca wool coat for around 100 euros, and it too would preserve you in an Antarctic storm.

Another good buy was a designer jacket which I'm guessing didn't sell in the designer Siopaella around the corner, good-as-new quality, retail price over a grand, cost me 35 quid, two ripped-out shoulder pads later and a bit of sleeve adjustment, and (to me anyway) what it had lost in standard-issue French chic it gained in cool.

The atmosphere in Siopaella is great, the staff are helpful but there's no hard sell, and the chilled out doggie lying contently at the till slapping his tail from time time perfectly accents the general homely, cool vibe.

The good stuff turns over fast so keep an eye on Facebook which regularly shows what's come in. The prices can be a bit mixed - I've seen at least one item for a price near enough to what you'd buy it for new in Zara, but in much less than new quality, but generally I find the prices to be good and the quality very high - good as new really.

This isn't charity shop prices (or standard of clothes, obviously); it's a good shop for fashionistas who buy often and turnover wardrobe regularly, and these are the types they look to trade with. When I suggested I had some things I could sell there, the wonderfully friendly woman who owns it explained kindly that they're looking for a minimum of around 15 items to begin with (you start an account). My shopping profile doesn't make me the ideal trader, but I am the ideal shopper there.

The designer Siopaella around the corner from this one is the same concept, but if you spend a third of the shop value on a dress there, you could be setting yourself back 500 quid. But you'll be wearing Chanel.

As I understand, this is a consignment shop, and they keep 40% of anything they sell of yours (either that or you get 40%), and if it doesn't sell, you take it back at the end of the agreed time frame.

I delight in telling people about this shop when I get complimented on something - as an alternative to the high-street shopping model, Siopaella gets my vote and not just because of what you save on the pocket; it's just a much more interesting way to shop and it's a more sustainable model too. Full marks to these guys.

So I was praying to the clothing gods for a hip second-hand clothing store to replace my Buffalo Exchange addiction from the states (http://www.yelp.ie/biz/buffalo-exchange-minneapolis#hrid:5Gt4h9eNSKiuqQs70wlilQ/src:self). I heard of Swopshop, which is apparently nearby but I couldn't find the place. Thankfully, I happened upon Siopaella (say 'shop-ella') and my prayers have been answered. Praise be to shopping!

So far I've made €20 cash money and paid nothing for a sweet pair of €25 Wrangler cut-off shorts on trade. The beauty of clothing exchanges is that feels like getting clothes for free! Oh and you can feel good about recycling because you are cutting down on demand for new items. Yes, you can be greener by shopping! If you are a regular with clothing exchange, you also manage to eliminate all buyers' remorse. Thus, the aforementioned addiction...

I have a decent amount of experience with clothing exchange stores and they are a tricky bird. Essentially you are being judged by your past purchases, which is scary. Thankfully, Siopaella is running a good business and the owner, Ella, is a real sweetheart. As a seller, I felt completely comfortable working with her. She wasn't snooty about rejecting a few things and she seems to really know what sells. I also appreciated the email update of my items in a spreadsheet so I could remember the prices and what I had left with her.

As a shopper, she has the shop set up in a really attractive way with the vintage stuff separate and cute little trunks and lady-like accessories all over. The prices are fair and the selection is unique and fashion-forward. It's the kind of place you feel comfortable perusing and trying things on to your heart's content.

I will definitely be a regular and I encourage fellow fashion lovers to do the same. If you've never sold your clothes before, it can be intimidating. Let me help you with a quick HOW TO:

1) Bring a small bag of items that you dont wear anymore or have never worn (oops my bad) and are still in good condition. Siopaella takes new AND vintage clothing. At first you wont know what is worth taking but look around the shop and you will learn how to edit yourself.

2) A staff person will go through your bag and buy some--not all--of the pieces. They put a price on the stuff they take and give you a total.

3) Each shop is different after this happens but at Siopella you can trade that day for items in the store up to 20% of the total amount. Everything then goes on sale in the shop. You will get 50% of the money when the item sells or 20% if it hangs around too long and and sells for a sale price. That's it. I swear, it's easier than it sounds and once you start, you will be hooked. Happy exchanging!

Very cool little array of shops in Temple Bar-- each full of some amazing unique knick nacks! It's awesome to think that every time you go in there you're bound to find different things. The shops are quite small but neatly laid out. The girl in there was helpful without being overbearing which is nice in such a small boutique. Most things are in pretty decent condition, especially the more high-end designer stuff. It's not cheap, despite a generous discount, but you never know, you might happen upon something you adore for half the retail price.
Great idea.

Extremely awesome find - great secondhand clothes and jewelry (especially love the dress collection), as well as super sale racks. There are a few Siopaella stores in Dublin city center, so don't splurge on just one!

This is a great second-hand store, give yourself time to go through all the rails and you'll be sure to see a few nice things. I'm not into designers but I am a fan of bargains. So the second-hand designers are still out of my price range.

I was there a few days ago for a charity sale (clothes for 3euro). I was delighted when I spotted a mint-condition Zara cardi and I got to support a worthy charity at the same time.

Anyone who loves a good designer consignment shop best pop into this one for a good look! Great prices on a great selection of LV, Prada, Louboutins, etc. and the girls who keep the shop are amazingly helpful. Don't miss this little gem in the middle of touristy Temple Bar!!

Absolutely brilliant shops. Right in the heart of Temple Bar. Great vintage, designer and high street fashion finds. The staff are so helpful too. Really recommend. A great Dublin treasure