As most of us are well aware, it's consignment sale season.

I'm planning on consigning some of my maternity clothes from my first pregnancy this season (and maybe some of my baby clothes if I end up having a boy) and wondered how I could do it right.

So I asked Kelly Rives of the Divine Consign Show to offer some tips. She's held the show, featuring upscale children's clothes, for several years in Raleigh and has expanded to other cities in the Southeast. The next Raleigh show starts Aug. 31.

Here's Kelly ...

The dates for the area's huge consignment sales are quickly approaching, and we have been receiving a ton of questions about how to get your clothes ready to sell. Use your best mommy judgment to decide to quality and value of each item. But here are some tips to help you get more for your clothes.

1. Take your feelings out of the pricing. We know that many of your clothes have special memories for you. Some were worn in portraits, for the first day of school, to go see Grandma, or for the holidays. And those were all very wonderful times, but the shoppers don’t know that and don’t want to pay more for your memories! Price your clothes so that you do not have to pick them up again after the sale is over.

2. Make sure that your items are clean. They should not have stains, spots, fuzz balls, pulls, missing buttons, broken zippers, or odors. Would you buy something in ratty condition?

3. Presentation makes a huge difference! Be sure to iron your items. Shoppers do not want to have to have “vision” about what the garment would look like if it wasn’t a wrinkled mess.

4. Zip all zippers. Button all buttons. Tie all bows. Show them how cute it is.

5. Hang the garment on the hanger so that the mouth of the hook is opened to the left.

6. When attaching skirts or pants be sure to use safety pins so that they do not bunch up or fall off. It is very difficult for us to return missing items to their sets if they fall to the floor. If that happens they will not sell at all.

7. Attach your tag with a safety pin, tagger, or zip tie. If you are looking at the garment the tag needs to be on the right-hand shoulder of the garment. This makes is super easy for the shoppers to find because it is where your eye naturally falls.

8. Price your items to sell! Most items that are in great condition will sell for approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the retail price. Be sure to take into consideration the condition of the clothing. What would YOU pay for the item as it is now?

9. If you mark an item or items to be reduced to 1/2 price on the last day, highlight DISCOUNT on the tag. This makes it easier for the shoppers to spot your super deal.

10. Be sure to list the brand name on the description line. Many people are looking specifically for certain brands.

11. If you have matching tights, hairbows, leggings, or socks attach them securely and sell as a set. People love to get an entire outfit.

12. If you have sibling outfits that match, include this info on the tag (matching sisters 4t).

13. If you feel that the sizing is really off on an item (a size 2 that fits like a 4), put that on the tag and put it where you think it belongs.

14. You know when things look good and are priced right. Trust yourself!

Bottom line…..we all want your clothes to sell! We do not want to have to sort them at the end of the sale, and you don’t want to have to pick them up. So really take the time to make them look amazing! You bought them because you loved them, and someone else will do the same.

Next week, Kelly will offer tips on consignment sale shopping. If you have your own shopping or consigning tips, please share!