If you think resale means outdated and used clothing--think again! We recently took our models to Frilly Frocks where owner, Rebecca Kaselow, and her assistant picked out some wonderful examples that show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to look like you have.

Frilly Frocks
Building H, Suite 112
1603 Village Market Blvd SE Leesburg, VA 20175
703.858.4940
Known as “A Very Unique Contemporary Consignment Store,” Frilly Frocks’ mission is to provide the opportunity for families to be able to conveniently purchase the finest quality apparel at a fraction of the retail cost while providing a means to earn extra money by selling their outgrown and unused items. The store is owned and operated by Rebecca Kaselow, who says, “The inventory we receive is amazing! Since we are blessed to live in Loudoun County – the richest county in the nation – you can only imagine the exceptional items we receive at Frilly Frocks every day!” But to Rebecca, recycling and donating clothing and accessories to several organizations within Loudoun County is an important aspect of her business. She is also passionate about educating the public about exracing greyhounds and finding these wonderful animals “loving forever homes.” Her ultimate goal is to build and operate a kennel for greyhounds to stay while awaiting adoption. While enjoying a shopping “experience” at Frilly Frocks, you may also meet one of her greyhounds, who often frequent the store.

Unique
2956 Gallows Road Falls Church, VA
703.992.6569
imunique.com
If you only hit one NoVA thrift store, make it "Unique." The store is huge, well organized, and typically well priced. Go on Monday for 25% off everything; get a free members’ card and get 25% off on Thursdays. Be sure you have plenty of time scheduled—you can easily spend hours here.
Strengths: clothes, housewares
Weaknesses: books (they’re priced in ink on their covers and the selection is limited), some oddly overpriced items

Herndon-Reston Bargain Loft
336 Victory Drive Herndon, VA
703.437.0600
herndonrestonfish.org/bargain-loft.html
This little store is a perfect introduction for a new thrift shopper—it’s small, clean, and well-curated. No great bargains are going to be found here—items have been researched and marked at 50% off of their Ebay value—but it’s a great hybrid of thrift and antique store.
Strengths: vintage dishes, occasional very nice furniture
Weaknesses: clothes (there aren’t any), toys ( there aren't too many)

The Closet
845 Station Street
Herndon, VA
703.437.7652
theclosetofgreaterherndon.org
A store not for the faint-of-thrifting heart, The Closet is tiny, extremely crowded, and has very limited hours. However, it’s a great treasure hunt, with the possibility of finding high-end clothes, contemporary books, or vintage dishware for very reasonable prices.
Strengths: Craft notions, fabric, patterns, books
Weaknesses: Toys (usually very used), furniture (there isn’t room for any), limited space and hours

Vogue to Vintage
1631 Washington Plaza North Reston, VA
703.787.5700
voguetovintage.com
Vogue to Vintage is a very nice little consignment store, full of both contemporary and vintage upscale items. Prices are on the high side for most things, but it’s great for nicer things.
Strengths: clothing, accessories
Weaknesses: not much for non-standard sizes, men, or kids

Hope's Treasures
20684 Ashburn Road Ashburn, VA
703.724.1555
goodshepherdalliance.org/RetailStore
This is a solid, medium sized store with a good housewares selection, quality toys, and reasonably priced clothing. New-in-package items are available fairly regularly here.
Strengths: toys, housewares
Weaknesses: stock is variable—sometimes very good, sometimes not so much

Clock Tower Thrift Shop
2860 Annandale Rd Falls Church, VA 703.237.1910
nvfs.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=91755
This is another tiny, crowded store, but there are treasures to be found on the crowded shelves, including both new and vintage dishes, great vintage jewelry, items (like fancy candles).
Strengths: vintage housewares, jewelry, linens
Weaknesses: overpriced clothes and a scanty and disorganized book section, crowded and messy store

Joseph's Coat
3022 Annandale Rd Falls Church, VA
703.538.6289
bhnv.org/josephshop.html
Joseph’s Coat is a very nice, well-organized store full of treasures. There are tons of complete dining sets or tea services, as well as some rare vintage table-wares, but they’ve been researched and are priced accordingly. It also has a fantastic, if high priced, book section and wonderful furniture.
The children’s clothing section and plus sized women’s clothes are also worth visiting. Fairly regular 50% off sales make it worth a call ahead on the day you want to visit!
Strengths: books, housewares and dishes, furniture
Weaknesses: high prices in the book section, not a lot of toys

Columbia Pike Thrift Shop
2217 Columbia Pike Arlington, VA
703.920.7077
trinitychurcharlington.org/Thriftshop3. htm
The Columbia Pike Thrift Shop is one of my favorite local thrift stores. It’s a small, cramped space, but the people are lovely, the prices are great, and there are always vintage treasures hidden on the shelves.
Strengths: vintage dishes and linens, great prices
Weaknesses: hard to move around, limited clothing

Goodwill of Greater Washington
4714 Columbia Pike Arlington, VA
703.979.5947
dcgoodwill.org
Though the Goodwill is the most ubiquitous of local thrift stores, it is not the best. Most of the local Goodwill stores have sparse inventories and higher prices than they should. The best of the bunch, though, is worth a stop. The store on Columbia Pike in Arlington is bigger than average, with good selections of clothes and furniture and an excellent (and decently priced) book collection.
Strengths: clothes, books Weaknesses: housewares, prices

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GRACE MITCHELL is a writer-of-all-trades temporarily stationed in NoVa and constantly homesick for Oregon. She lives with her partner and various feline and canine companions. She thrift shops compulsively and loves clothes and just about anything old. She thinks a lot about feminism and makeup, often on the same day. Grace blogs at www.NoOneWatching.com and www.HeroineContent.net.