Sustainable Fashions in South Lake Union

Located at 2252 Seventh Avenue, Eres Boutique offers a fresh take on second-hand shopping. Founder Nathalie Donoso, originally from Ecuador and a Seattleite for over a decade, turned her love for thrifting into a business after a back injury in 2020 inspired reflection. She wanted to turn her passion into something bigger.

“I’ve always loved thrifting — I can spend hours in a thrift store, finding unique pieces and treasures. Friends would ask me where I got my clothes, and I was always excited to tell them, ‘the thrift store.’ Over time, people started asking if I could help them find things they liked, and that’s how I began reselling,” she says.

With Eres Boutique, Nathalie aims to make second-hand shopping fun, accessible, and eco-friendly. She also wants to challenge ideas about second-hand fashion.

In our conversation, Nathalie opens up about her love for fashion, why SLU was a great choice for her second location, and how Eres Boutique is reshaping the second-hand shopping experience in Seattle.

DSLU: What’s your fashion philosophy?
Nathalie: For me, fashion and style aren’t always about labels or brands — it’s about how you put things together and express yourself. I love mixing high and low fashion and giving clothing a second, third, or even fourth life. When I thought about starting Eres, I knew I wanted it to be a curated space for people who share that same love for unique style, with a focus on transparency for consignors. It’s important to me that consignors know exactly where their items are in the process. That’s why we ensure that consignors have access to the consignor portal, which allows them to have full live visibility of their inventory, status, credit, and easy payment options like Venmo.

DSLU: What is your personal style?
Nathalie: It’s constantly evolving. I’d describe it as eclectic — I dress based on my mood for the day, how I’m feeling, and honestly how I want to feel. I find that how I feel in my outfits often determines how I carry myself throughout the day. Fashion is a way to express yourself but also a way to feel your best.

DSLU: What made you start Eres Boutique?
Nathalie: It all started with my love for thrifting and helping others find pieces they couldn’t find on their own. I wanted to create a space that felt well-curated, approachable, and transparent for both customers and consignors. It’s about blending my passion for sustainable fashion with creating a seamless experience for everyone involved.

DSLU: What attracted you to SLU for your second location?
Nathalie: SLU is such a vibrant and dynamic area — I felt like it was the perfect place to open a store that encourages sustainability and creativity through style and fashion. It felt like the natural next step for Eres, where we could continue to grow our community and offer something unique to the neighborhood. Plus, I love the energy in SLU — it’s inspiring to be part of that.

DSLU: For those who may not be familiar, what is consignment shopping?
Nathalie: Consignment shopping is secondhand shopping with a twist. It’s curated, so you’re getting a more selective and often higher-quality experience. Consignors bring in their items, we pick what we think will resonate with our customers, and they get paid once their items sell. It’s a more sustainable way to shop, and you can score incredible pieces in like-new or new condition for a fraction of the original price. You’ll also find more unique items — pieces from different places, eras, and styles that you won’t see everywhere.

DSLU: What makes for a good thrift/consignment shopping experience?
Nathalie: Thrifting and consignment shopping are all about the thrill of the hunt. It’s the feeling of finding something special that speaks to you at a great price. The best thrift experiences push people to get creative, step outside their usual style, and experiment. It’s also satisfying to know you’re shopping in a way that’s more sustainable. You’re refreshing your wardrobe without contributing to the fast-fashion cycle, and that’s a win all around.

DSLU: Tell us why this type of shopping is important in 2024.
Nathalie: We’re all more aware of our environmental footprint, and thrift shopping is one way to lessen that impact. At the same time, fashion today is all about expressing individuality — there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Thrifting allows people to evolve their personal style in a way that’s both sustainable and unique. It’s the perfect balance of being mindful of the environment while still embracing the freedom to wear what makes you feel good.

DSLU: Do you have any events or special sales at Eres you want readers to know about?
Nathalie: We are currently having an end-of-season summer sale with 25-50% off select items! We’ve got amazing deals every day, so definitely follow us on Instagram @ereseattle. We post about newly marked-down items, fresh arrivals, staff favorites, and pretty much anything exciting happening at Eres. Stay tuned – lots of fun things are coming your way!