By Bonnie Lee Strunk

Special to The Press

When I walked through the local mall recently, I was surprised at how empty many of the stores seemed to be.

On the other hand, when I visited a suburban thrift shop last week, the aisles were crowded and the checkout lines were long.

What’s going on?

With escalating prices on necessities such as food and gasoline, folks have less money to spend on their wardrobes and decorative items for their homes. So they are using their very limited funds wisely and shopping at consignment and thrift stores.

As I learned decades ago when I shopped with my favorite aunt, secondhand does not have to mean second-rate. Smart buyers can discover real gems: impeccable designer clothes at a mere fraction of the prices found in malls and upscale boutiques.

Often the styles are current trends or are classics that never go out of fashion. Flawless clothes can become someone else’s castoffs for a number of reasons, such as weight gain or loss, or not wanting to be seen in the same outfit more than once or twice.

Or sometimes when a person dies, all his or her clothing is donated to a thrift shop or placed on consignment in a resale store. Bargains abound.

For folks new to this thrifty way of shopping, a consignment or resale shop takes in gently-worn, fine-quality fashions and accessories and sells them far below original cost. All items must be laundered and without stains or tears.

The store and the consignor then split the proceeds of sales according to a prearranged contract.

In local thrift shops, bargain hunters and ecology-minded individuals who promote recycling often discover treasures. These stores are usually run by charities and the items for sale have been donated rather than consigned.

Shopping at the thrifts benefits the charities’ clients. For example, items purchased at Goodwill stores help the disabled by providing funds for programs and services such as job training and special schooling. The stores also employ some of their clients directly.

Whether shopping resale or the thrifts, the stigma of secondhand is long gone. Being frugal is fashionable today. And reusing rather than discarding is good for the environment.

I have paid less for an entire bag of clothing and accessories than I would have shelled out for just one new item in a department store. And I love the fact that my treasures are one of a kind, unlike department stores which may carry 10 or more of each item.

I know the brands I like and am often delighted to find both top quality and designer garb when I hit the resale and thrift shops. A friend who admired a pair of jeans I was wearing was shocked to hear I paid only $7 for them, when hers cost $60 and were not as nice.

Besides clothes and jewelry, other bargain items I look for include picture frames, DVDs, books, games and seasonal décor for my home.

Sometimes shoppers are happy to find that the already low prices become even smaller at the cash register. Some of the thrift and resale shops offer senior discounts on certain days or have a different color ticket each day on the merchandise to provide an additional discount at checkout.

With warm weather approaching, now is prime time to go treasure hunting for twice-chosen fashions to boost and enhance your wardrobe.

Last year I was lucky to find a gorgeous swimsuit cover-up for just $5 at a thrift shop, and I will be wearing it again this summer and for many years ahead.

When the compliments begin to flow your way, you may want to smile and remain mum, keeping your secret. Or, then again, you just may wish to brag.