Dressing well doesn't mean having to break the bank. For those of you with a pint-sized clothing budget, thrift stores and consignment shops – full of secondhand gems for a fraction of their original price – are a great alternative to paying full retail value.
And take heart, because many thrift stores are a far cry from your average side-of-the-road garage sale. You can often find designer labels and valuable vintage pieces on these well-worn racks.
Not to mention, the door swings both ways. We've all had a closet that was just a little too stuffed with trends that will never come back or pants that will never again fit (admit it, people). So the next time you want to do a little thrift shopping, take some of your excess clothing along with you so someone else can discover the beauty in it all over again.
Some of these stores specialize in clothing and fashion accessories, and some also offer home furnishings, used electronics and anything else you can imagine. Even better, many of these stores benefit important charities in the southeastern Wisconsin area.
Annie's 2nd Hand Chic
1668 N. Warren Ave., (414) 727-5586
A bounty of used and vintage clothing awaits shoppers here. Find something that doesn't quite fit right? Annie is willing to do alterations, too.
Blessed Again Resale
7624 W. Hampton Ave., (414) 464-9099
aporonline.org/BlessedAgainResale
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Blessed Again Resale is run entirely by volunteers. Winter hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dress for Less Economy Center
7814 W. Burleigh St., (414) 442-2272
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Dress for Less customers know that the store gets new inventory regularly and a good deal can always be found.
East Town Women's Resale Shop
159 N. Broadway St., (414) 273-1030
easttownwomensresale.com
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Noon-3 p.m. Sunday
This high-end women's resale shop has been open since 1928 and offers designer clothing at a low price.
Goodwill
6055 N. 91st St., (414) 353-7900
12121 W. Feerick St., Wauwatosa, (414) 393-1487
3900 N. Palmer St., (414) 967-0588
W178 N9315 Water Tower Pl., Menomonee Falls, (262) 253-0018
2830 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 962-3281
190 N. Broadway St., (414) 273-1797 (Retique Store)
11000 W. Oklahoma Ave., West Allis, (414) 541-6330
1715 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton, (262) 377-5509
3600 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin, (262) 641-8868
1400 Nike Dr., Waukesha, (262) 547-5023
2015 Meadow Ln., Pewaukee, (262) 574-0704
6941 S. Riverwood Blvd., Franklin, (414) 304-1262
S74 W17035 Janesville Rd., (262) 682-4200
goodwillsew.com
Check website for individual hours.
Goodwill doesn't just have a great selection of used clothing. For over 90 years, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin – fueled by their popular resale shops – has been providing job training and placement for disabled persons. Target stores donate a lot of their excess inventory to Goodwill, as well, so by shopping here you have a good chance of finding some premium never-worn merchandise.
Nearly New Family Fashions
6803 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale, (414) 228-8420
nearlynewfamilyfashions.com
10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
This Brookfield consignment shop offers high-end labels such as DKNY and GAP. Interested consignors should make appointments during resale shop hours.
Once Again Consignment Boutique
15790 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, (262) 781-4747
onceagainboutique.com
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
This consignment boutique only accepts inventory that is in-season and on-trend, and specializes in premium labels like Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek, Coach and Dooney and Burke.
ReThreads
2943 N. Humboldt Blvd. (414) 263-1690
2671 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. (414) 482-4111
rethreadsclothing.com
Check website for individual hours.
This recycled fashion boutique is a little pricier than its thrift-store sisters, but they're also choosier. Their locations are treasure troves for funky modern looks and vintage finds alike. Every piece is tagged with a year and designer, so you always know what you're getting into. Plus, they have flexible options for payment: bring in some of your unwanted clothes and if ReThreads decides to buy them, get 30 percent projected resale value in cash or 50 percent projected resale value in store credit. See guidelines for clothing donations here.
Salvation Army
1725 S. 13th St., (414) 384-9992
7713 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, (414) 453-1267
1537 E. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, (262) 542-4728
4747 Bradley Rd., Brown Deer, (414) 357-6277
usc.salvationarmy.org
Check website for individual hours.
Another way to let your fashion dollars work for a greater good.
St. Jude Thrift Shop
822 N. Glenview Ave., Wauwatosa (414) 259-0975
stjudeparishwauwatosa.org/thrift-shop
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday
Located adjacent to and run by St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Wauwatosa, St. Jude's is a popular Tosa thrift shop that benefits charity.
St. Vincent de Paul
2320 W. Lincoln Ave., (414) 672-2040
6201 14th Ave., Kenosha, (262) 657-6366
4215 Hwy 42N, Sheboygan, (920) 457-4844
305 E. Main St., Waukesha, (262) 547-3281
W369 N5848 Brown St., (262) 569-0761
2673 Hwy C, Port Washington, (262) 284-4637
svdpmilw.org
Check website for individual hours.
Since 1914, Milwaukee has been home to several St. Vincent de Paul charitable organizations and thrift shops that have gained a name for themselves as being clean, hospitable and always full of great deals.
Value Village
729 S. Layton Blvd. (414) 383-5913
324 W. North Ave., (414) 264-5320
3100 E. Layton Ave., St. Francis, (414) 486-1498
valuevillagewi.com
Check website for individual hours.
Value Village boasts great daily deals. Come on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for 50 percent off all clothing, and every weekend enjoy half-price on all merchandise.
