Second-hand steals

Shopping is a common pastime for American women. And I can't say that I don't enjoy spending the day trying on piece after piece until I find the perfect outfit, or two, or 20, either.

However, the type of shopping that I prefer is a little different than most.

As a college student, I obviously don't have much money, so I am not the type to frequent high-end stores on my shopping sprees; I am not a Fifth Avenue kind of girl. And although I don't mind visiting the mall every now and then, it is not my favorite locale either.

What really get my spending juices flowing are consignment stores, second-hand boutiques and vintage clothing shops.

Yeah, so the clothes have been worn before, and that bothers some people but not me. Even though the clothes sold in second-hand stores are pre-worn, they are always washed and cleaned before they are displayed.

Besides, even when you buy clothing brand-new, there is still a chance that it has been tried on before.

In most clothing stores there are racks full of the same item in several sizes. For someone who wants to get in and get out of the store quickly this can be a plus, but for someone who enjoys the shopping experience this can become repetitive and boring.

Shopping in second-hand stores is like a treasure hunt. One has to search through the racks of clothing looking for that special piece that catches their eye.

The process involves a belief in fate. Sometimes even if you find a dress or pair of pants that calls to you, it doesn't fit. That's when you have to realize it just wasn't meant to be.

The prices aren't a bad incentive to shop at these types of stores either.

I once found an Italian leather jacket for $49. The same style of jacket is sold new for around 500 Euros at pierotucci.com, the web site of an Italian leather factory.

The stores vary in both pricing and quality. While thrift stores generally carry low quality used clothing, consignment stores often carry brand name items. Perhaps the most expensive of the three is the vintage boutique, but the items sold there are likely one of a kind.

Ocala actually has several consignment stores that I frequent, but no vintage stores that I know of. That is where E-bay comes into the picture.

E-bay is a treasure trove of one of a kind vintage items. You can search through by decade or by category and the results are practically endless. Although the occasional "vintage-style" item pops up, most of what's for sale is authentic.

And if I am feeling truly adventurous, I might even take a trip to Goodwill or the other thrift stores in the area. Although it is much harder to find quality pieces, the search is even more intense and rewarding.

There is a social stigma about shopping at these kinds of stores, but for what reason? All clothing, no matter where it is purchased has been handled before.

With everybody trying to cut back on expenses, who's to say where shopping for clothing is acceptable?

Not to mention, this re-selling of clothing is a form of recycling. So you can shop and do something positive for the environment at the same time. Why not look good while doing good?

If I can find a pair of Lucky Jeans for $30, and have fun while doing it, those chain stores can keep their overpriced and overproduced products.

So the next time you splurge on a pair of designer shoes or a handbag, just remember that someone may have just bought the same thing for a fraction of the price.

Top 3 consignment stores in Ocala

The Kinsman Tree

500 Southwest 10th Street

Ocala, FL 34471-0205

(352) 351-1715

Lina Beth Fine Consignments

2383 SW College Rd

Ocala, FL 34471-1661

(352) 622-1070

Renee's Consignment Shop

4901 East Silver Springs Boulevard

Ocala, FL 34470-3228

(352) 438-1138