Second-hand Seattle

The lure of the thrift store is that proceeds can help a non-profit organization, recycled clothing is the ultimate in eco-friendly shopping, and the rock-bottom prices are easy on the wallet. Some of the deterrents are the funky smell kicked up wherever used items are accumulated in one place, the crowded racks, and the frustration in finding sizes.

But let's face it, the economy of the situation is unparalleled. Save clothing exchanges, the local thrift shop is by far the most economical shopping out there. Budget conscious college students have long felt the lure of thrifting. Apparently, mainstream America is following suit.

The National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS) reports that in a survey of NARTS members, 75 percent of resalers experienced a 30 percent increase in sales in April 2008 over April 2007. NARTS also reported that 80 percent of the stores surveyed experienced an increase in new customers.

According to Christine Bragale, a spokeswoman for Goodwill Industries International, Goodwill sales nationwide are up 6.2 percent in the first six months of 2008, compared to the same period last year. In response to this new fashion-savvy clientele, Goodwill has created a Fashion Focus section in many of its stores, featuring more fashionable clothing and designer labels.

Goodwill is also expanding in the Northwest, with a new location in the U. District due to open November 5. The new Goodwill on the Ave will feature hip, trendy apparel and accessories and be approximately one-quarter the size of a traditional store. It will provide a more intimate shopping experience. "We are very excited about testing a small-store model in an urban neighborhood like the U-District. The success of this small store will allow us entry into similar neighborhoods where we have found it difficult to find larger spaces," said Cindi Forslund, vice president of operations.

Following is an interview with a group of veteran thrifters who possess more than 90 years' combined shopping experience. They share their advice on how to best navigate the racks.

Meredeth McMahon: Why have you chosen to stick with thrift stores over the years?

Julie Brunett: I shop (at thrift stores) because I am an uber recycler. I don't want to buy new clothes unnecessarily and bring them into circulation. Also, I love a good find and a good deal. Even when I have the money to shop at new clothing stores, I still shop thrift stores.

Lisa Loop: I love the whole idea of giving an item a new life, not just because it's good for the planet but because I adore the notion of being part of a continuum where people come and go, but the things we create go on; our buildings, our books, our clothes.

Tatiana Masters: I started thrifting with my friends because we were bored high schoolers with an eccentric taste in fashion and way more time than money.

Jason Spainhower: I started in the early 1980s for the same reason I still thrift today, as a way to afford the unusual clothes I like.

Meredeth: What is the most difficult part of thrift/consignment shopping?

Lisa: It takes time to really find the good stuff. You have to allow yourself enough time to get bored, and get to the point where you don't think you're going to find anything — that's when the fantastic items magically appear. I'd say an hour is the minimum needed to get there.

Jason: Keeping a clear head about things that are almost right. You have to focus on the item and not the price, since something that is almost the right fit or bargain won't get worn.

Julie: Holding back and not buying too many items I don't really need.

Tatiana: It can be difficult to find something that you love that's not the wrong size or has a hole in it or smells funny.

Lisa: I don't worry about that, because I can wash or air them out and get rid of the smell pretty easily. Once, I bought a blouse that smelled like someone's bad perfume and I couldn't get it out. I had to donate that blouse back to where I bought it. But that is one time in thirty years.

Meredeth: When scanning the racks, what do you look for? Color? Brand?

Tatiana: I focus on one or two types of things (jeans, skirts, blouses), then scan for color. Value Village sorts by color, which makes this easier.

Julie: Brand!

Lisa: I tend to see my favorite colors, whether I'm looking for them or not. For whatever reason, I rarely stray out of my color palette. Brands are a total wild card. I think with practice you learn to tell if something is good quality, regardless of label.