Outside Guide: Upscale resale

The economy has turned many fashionistas into recessionistas. They haven’t given up their desire for designer clothing, shoes and accessories, they’re just shopping more discriminately at their favorite stores, or maybe venturing out to upscale resale shops for gently worn but still

desirable items.

When you consider that many designer looks are a few seasons ahead of the mainstream fashion curve to begin with, it doesn’t matter if an item was originally sold a year or two earlier. If you love it, it fits, the price is right and the quality is there, go for it.

And for those with great clothes and shoes that are gathering dust because they’re the wrong size, color or attitude, consigning earns money to get something new.

Rags Consignments

Boasting that it consigns thousands of items a month — 7,542 in August alone — this store has a large inventory and fast turnover. As you’d expect in a college town like Boulder, there’s a great selection of jeans, tops and sweaters, but Rags also caters to young moms and career women. Items are appealingly arranged by color and type of clothing, making it easy to browse. One recent visit uncovered separates from Cold- water Creek and Chico’s, jeans by Christopher Blue and Banana Republic jackets.