Spending and Saving

The New Year’s Second-Hand Shopping Guide

In New York, frugal women know about Encore, the consignment shop where Jackie O. famously sold all of her unwanted clothing for extra cash. And since the recession hit, such stores have seen consigners come out in discreet droves to pare their closets and pad their wallets.

What you may not know is that holiday time is the best time for closet cleaning — which means that the start of the year is prime for scoring bargains. And most of America doesn’t think to resell Grandma’s Chanel bag at Encore; often, great goods go straight into the hands of non-Vogue reading volunteers at charity thrift stores, who price them way below market.

Don’t believe me? Good.  More cheap Valentino scarves to adorn my unemployed neck.

If you’re fashionable but poor, consider dropping the pride and checking out these four thrift shopping venues. For $3 you may be walking home in a pair of never-worn Florentine leather boots.

Estate Sales

The only thing sadder than the death of an elderly person is watching families hold estate sales so they don’t have to clean out closets. Luckily for the recently laid-off, you now have time to rummage through those boxes to find that pre-war handbag from Paris or a Rolex watch that just needs a new battery. Estate sales are treasure hunts where the prices decrease with every passing hour.  Every family has an heirloom, so find it and celebrate that well-preserved artifact of the Greatest Generation.

Flea Markets

Traveling to Europe in the near future? London, Paris, Cannes, Vienna, and Berlin are home to some of the highest quality antique and flea markets in the world.  While some sellers know the quality of their goods, others are strapped for cash and selling their wife’s mink coat for $5.  Love antique china? For $15, you’ll walk away with tea cups made in countries that were renamed 20 years ago.

Goodwill

Until the recession, you donated. You didn’t shop.  Put on dark sunglasses and a headscarf, ladies.  There are Ferragamo pumps to be found in that massive pile of cheap shoes.  Take advantage of your knowledge of designer wear and buy the pre-loved accessories of the charitable rich this season.

Ebay

Ebay sellers tend to know the worth of their goods, but if you take advantage of time zones and shipping rates, you may be the only person bidding at 4:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. Also, know when your competition isn’t bidding on designer headbands (Monday evenings during Gossip Girl). Strategize before you buy and set your alarm clock. You’ll be certain to find a holiday deal.

Tags: advice, deals, shopping, spending, style