Goodwill Hunting by KT Boyle of The Great ReDression

Shoestring is psyched to launch our latest and greatest feature: Goodwill Hunting, a weekly digest of the best thrift, consignment, and charity shop sales and profiles, plus lookbooks and fashion spreads featuring finds from our newest Gumshoe, KT Boyle of The Great ReDression.

Both KT and Shoestring have had a lifelong love affair with thrifting and vintage, and we know that KT's new weekly column will help you save money and save the planet by shopping and supporting charities and small business owners. Since we were bursting with bargain karma and tips for sales happening right now, here's a sneak peek of things to come from KT and Goodwill Hunting:

HUNTED

NYC
Designer Resale Blowout Sale

Fashionistas, start your engines. The semi-annual "blowout" sale at Designer Resale begins today. From Hermes to Milly, this six-shop consignment heaven on the Upper East Side sells lightly-worn men's and women's designer goods.  Today — but probably not for very long — you'll find vintage Alexander McQueen selling for around 90% off the original price. Take our word for it: go early.

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Designer Resale Consignment
324 East 81st Street
(212) 734-3639

Denver
Goodwill Clothing Swap

What could be more fun than a clothing exchange at a spa — and, for a great cause, we should add. Goodwill Denver is sponsoring a free clothing swap on Monday at the Parlour Hair Salon on East Alameda. Bring ten items (clothing or accessories) and enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and some pampering while you treasure hunt.

Monday, February 22, 2010
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Parlour Hair Salon
365 E. Alameda 
303-650-7754 (RSVP)

San Francisco  
Bettina Moving Sale

Visit the B. Girls at one of Laurel Heights's loveliest little shops before the goods are gone. "Everything must go" in this trendy shop, carrying hard-to-find European, Malaysian, and Thai designers. With 50% to 80% off retail prices, you may just want to head over to Bettina soon. Or right now.

Saturday February 20, 2010
10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
3615 Sacramento St. at Locust St.
(415)-563-8002

Washington, DC
Second Time Around

Along with New York and London, it's Fashion Week in Capitol City. Can't afford the high-priced embassy events? Save the money and pick something out at the Georgetown location of Second Time Around instead. This upscale chain of consignment stores gets rave reviews all over the Northeast, with additional locations in DC, New York, and New England. The STA in SoHo, for instance, recently tweeted @STAConsignment that they're in "Manolo Overload." Pick up a frequent buyer card and maybe a pair of stilettos, too.

Ongoing
Second Time Around
3289 M St NW
(202) 333-2355
SecondTimeAround.net for hours

Everywhere
Goodwill Student Discounts

Still have that goofy student ID with you? Let the good people of Goodwill take pity on your loans; they'll grant you a 10% off student discount. (And, what's better than a grant without interest?) Monday through Friday every week,  Goodwill stores in New York offer a 10% discount to anyone with a student ID, and Chicago Goodwill stores offer student shoppers 10% off every Saturday. That 10% off comes in especially handy if you're shopping Goodwill's "boutique" items!

Copyright 2009 Shoestring, LLC. Photo: Goodwill Industries