But I've noticed that not all of us starving students have the budgets that Hoot's posts suggest. Never fear! If you're a savvy shopper, and a bit adventurous, you can still get that head-in-the-clouds rush as you fall in love with a pair of Manolo's, but without the pain of sneaking your suite-mates' leftovers and scrounging around Columbia free-food events for a few weeks to pay for them. I have Versace and Furla purses. A pair of Bruno Magli shoes. Skirts from Henri Bendel, Emanuel Ungaro, and Kenzo as well as countless other unique designer pieces. And I bought each item for less that $20! I'll let you in on my secret, although it might mean more competition for the good stuff...]My favorite places to shop in the city are Housing Works Thrift Shops. These shops, scattered throughout the city, recycle second-hand clothing - and since the main donors are fashionable New Yorkers like yourselves, you can usually find a great mix of choices.
credit: housingworks.org
You might have to rummage a bit to find what you want or tailor inexact sizes after you buy, but the layout of the store is simple and uncluttered, and the selection is generally much higher in quality than your average Salvation Army or thrift store. The styles aren't specifically vintage, but contemporary things people just got tired of. Check around different shops because each neighborhood has different selections and is constantly changing the stocks.
At Housing Works you can also feed your shopping addiction guilt-free. The money from your purchase goes toward providing housing for people affected by HIV/AIDS in the New York Area and the shops provide employment for people affected by AIDS as part of a job-training program. Instead of worrying that the product you are buying is sold off of the exploitation of people in sweatshops in a poorer country, you can justify a shopping extravaganza by telling yourself, "I had to buy this extra pair of shoes, its for a good cause!"
And if second-hand shopping isn't your thing - now you know what to do! New time you're cleaning out all the fabulous last-season clothes from your closet to make room for the new season, you know where to send them so the rest of us can enjoy your chic castoffs!
Psst...They also have online shopping and auctions of some of the special pieces, so you can "do good" (aka shop) from the seat of your own dorm!
A few examples of things on auction right now:
Marni Boots- currently on auction for $52
credit: shopshousingworks.com
Milly Cocktail Dress - currently on auction for $51 Marc Jacobs Dress - $75
credit: shopshousingworks.com
