What do today’s secondhand shoppers actually want from thrift and resale stores? For Caroline Phillips, founder of Paloma Modern Consignment in Austin, the answer goes beyond finding a great deal. Shoppers are looking for quality, recognizable brands, an inviting experience, community, and an easier way to make secondhand part of how they shop.

On the Get Thrifty Podcast, host Maggie Scivicque talks with Caroline about creating an upscale modern consignment boutique that bridges everyday fashion and luxury while making secondhand shopping more approachable. They explore the stigma that still surrounds thrifting, why younger shoppers are embracing resale differently, and how trust, hospitality, sustainability, and community can shape the modern resale experience.
 

ABOUT THE GUEST
Caroline Phillips is the founder of Paloma, Austin's newest upscale modern consignment boutique, where sustainable fashion, community, and local creativity come together. After leaving a successful career in data and private equity in 2025, Caroline followed a long-held passion for secondhand shopping and created a space that reflects her values: thoughtful consumption, supporting local makers, and giving beautiful pieces a second life. Located in Austin's North Loop, Paloma offers contemporary, designer, and athletic apparel alongside curated goods from local artisans and small businesses. More than a consignment store, Paloma is a community hub built on the belief that shopping should feel good—for you, for the planet, and for the people around you. Through her entrepreneurial journey, Caroline is redefining what modern resale can look like while inspiring others to embrace sustainability, intentional living, and the joy of building a business rooted in purpose.

TT: @paloma_consignment
IG: @paloma_consignment
Website: https://www.palomaconsignment.com/

SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

• How a curated boutique experience can make secondhand shopping more approachable to people intimidated by traditional thrifting
• Why shoppers want everything from Lululemon and Anthropologie to Chanel, Gucci, Prada, and Hermès secondhand
• What Caroline is learning about Gen Z shoppers discovering resale through TikTok
• Why building trust and community can matter more than pushing for an immediate sale
• How buying, wearing, and reselling clothing creates a more circular approach to fashion
• Why Caroline focuses primarily on modern pieces from the past five years, including new-with-tags inventory
• How events, local makers, and experiences like color analysis can turn a resale store into a community destination