IDEAS Secondhand Stores Stretch Clothing Budget For Savvy Families (NAPSA)—Keeping kids dressed in the latest fads and brand name clothing doesn’t have to pinch the family pocketbook. For savvy shoppers, once-overlooked thrift stores offer an almost endless supply of quality merchandise at a fraction of the cost. Here are somefirst rate tips on finding secondhand steals from international thrift store chain Savers/Value Village: Keep an eye out for the latest trends, such as authentic vin- tage and retro clothing, which are secondhandstaples. Also popular are do-it-yourself ensembles—with pants and shirts priced at just a few dollars, parents can rest easy while teens get creative with scissors, bleach pens and embellishments to create new styles. With light mending, some pieces are as good as new. Fabric dye restores clothing to original color or creates a whole new hue. Seams are easily repaired and small holes or spots can by covered with fun appliqus and patches. Look for new clothes with tags still attached. Particularly in the kids’ section, thrift stores often receive clothing that has never been used or worn only a few times and arestill in practi- cally pristine condition. Look for brand nameclothing, which is abundant, at prices much less than you’d pay in department stores but still in great condition. Check all departments. Looking for a little T-shirt? Check out the children’s racks as well as the women’s department. Need a new belt? Try a tie from the men’s section. There are treasures to be found in places you maynot otherwise thinkto look. Most thrift stores have routine sale days and daily specials. Call in advance to find out when these are, and shop early for the best selection. For more tips on secondhand shopping and creating today’s fashions on a budget, visit www.savers.com.
