The Hunt
by Mary Leonard

I have been visiting consignment shops for years, grazing, trying on furs, looking for that one Eileen Fisher piece that I could add to my wardrobe. I learned shopping from my mother, a dressmaker, and from an early age knew how to toss cashmere sweaters at the Alexander's sale table in order to find the right size, and how to check if plaids and prints matched at the seams. But I am not a consignment maven or serious bargain hunter who stops into the local shops once a week. I did discover on my occasional search for stores that sold cheap clothing, or gently used top names, that others love the hunt. A colleague introduced me to Aunt Sally's boutique and confessed that she would go to Aunt Sally's for an entire afternoon as a way of relaxing.

Aunt Sally's boutique, you ask? For those not in the know, the Salvation Army's best store is on Route 9 in Hudson. It's open all week from 9am–5pm, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am–8pm. I love it. Everything is neatly organized by type and color and the prices are bargains. Every day Aunt Sally's features special sales that are also color-coded and Wednesdays are senior citizen half price days. My coup? A perfectly good cream linen jacket from a fabulous Rhinebeck designer for a price too good to mention. And once, I did eye an Evan Picone suit in great condition for just under $15, but I am not working full-time, so I no longer need formal suits. If you are in the market for suits or blazers, gently used bargains are available from Liz Claiborne, The Loft, and even Eileen Fisher, one of the top names for prêt a porter. Fisher's fabrics and styles are timeless. Can I admit this? I own a maroon pants and top from 1995 that still look great. Aunt Sally's is worth a drop-in if you have a good eye and patience. It's also good to know that the money from your purchase is donated to local rehabilitation centers and soup kitchens. You might even be among the famous that frequent Aunt Sally's, since one of the clerks reports having once caught a glimpse of Rebecca Romaine Stamos, a well-known model.

I guess it is common celebrity practice to frequent consignment shops. Donna Vitarius, the owner of Present Perfect in Rhinebeck, told me that recently Mia Farrow had been grazing. I could imagine Mia trying on one of the oversized furs always on consignment there. Present Perfect has been in business for 31 years, and this is its third year at the present location at East. Market Street. Donna was proud of the gently used clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories. She carries names like Anne Klein, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Joan Vass and even sportswear from L.L. Bean, the Gap and Eddie Bauer. Where does she get the stock? Mostly from locals who clean out their closets seasonally and make an appointment to bring in clean, ironed, and up-to-date items. The person donating used items signs a contract for 60 days. After 30 days the items go on sale; and then after 60 days, donators can pick up items or have Present Perfect donate them to the Dutchess County Battered Women's Shelter or the Baptist Home right in Rhinebeck.

Present Perfect has repeat consigners as well as customers. Donna told me that her customers come from "as far away as the Carolinas." She added that locals who shop at Present Perfect might have to be careful, since sometimes they may catch an acquaintance wearing an outfit they donated to Present Perfect. Donna suggested they just say, "I see we both have good taste."

The Closet Collection in South Egremont is in its fifth year of business. If you are heading east toward Great Barrington on Route 23, The Closet Collection is on the left at 11 Main Street. Items are donated mostly by New Yorkers who drop off clothing on their way to second homes. After scanning the aisles, I noticed that the clothing seemed conservatively tipped toward the business woman; so if you are just starting out in business, Calvin Klein or Talbot's suits bought at The Closet Collection could give a nice first appearance. The shoe and purse collection was vast, and would nicely round out the business look. Prices are reasonable: one leather hobo purse in excellent condition was priced at $30. The Closet Collection also carries a good selection of sportswear, some men's clothing and household articles. If you want to drop off clothes, then an appointment is a must. Again, the contract is for a certain number of days, in this case what is called the season, and then clothes are donated to The Second Show in Hudson and local women's shelters.

A Second Glance, described as a boutique of resale fashions, is located in a white colonial house on Albany Avenue in Kingston, right next to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Owner June Martin Bechtel is very organized and business savvy. She makes consignment very easy for donators by providing a pamphlet with information concerning the contract and hours. A Second Glance has a very user-friendly consignment policy for repeat consigners: simply go in the back, drop off clothing on hangers, and you are finished. June does spell out her intake requirements: no pilling sweaters or missing buttons, and clothes must be freshly washed or pressed and on hangers. To collect the money? It is your responsibility to call and see if your clothing has sold.

I loved the look of June's store, which was recently relocated to its current location from further down on Albany Avenue. It is uncluttered and easy to navigate. The windows are decorated with color and style-coordinated fashions. June gave me a list of her best selling brands: Liz Claiborne, Talbots, Jones NY, The Gap, Valerie Stevens, Fashion Bug and Working Women. Like the other owners, June reiterated that resale shops were a good place to start out in the business world. A Second Glance also carries shoes, accessories and household items. I could have bought all the multicolored silk scarves hanging like butterflies on a rack, even though I would never wear them. (That's why I've not allowed myself to become a weekly shopper at consignment shops!) June donates unsold clothing to charities: the Well in Saugerties, local centers for domestic violence, and Golden Hill in Kingston.

If you have time and love to shop, check out these venues. You can have fun, try on some clothes you would never have considered, and not spend much money. Or if you are young and need three business suits, try a consignment shop first—at least until you get promoted to CEO.