Who wouldn't be convinced after finding such a bargain! I have a feeling you might snap up some more lovelies today too;-)

Can't wait to see the pictures.

Kristen, I am quickly becoming the "consignment store queen" as the hubby calls me. I went this weeekend and found the following:

New York & Company trousers - $3.99
H&M Skirts (3 of them) - $2.99 each
Limited Skirt - $2.99

I will post pics as soon as I find my transfer wire for my digital camera. Congrats on the great bargain!

Great find!
We don't even have a consignment store around here. I miss them!

That's an amazing buy! I hit my fave consignment weekly but have to shop with two conflicting rules:

1. Stick to my list - filling hole in closet, etc.

2. Be open to what is there if it is a current trend or statement peice.

So I usually try on then walk around a bit and consider whether I pay full price for the item or not and then decide.

I have a major problem with Consignment stores in CT and Kristen's find confirms my suspicions. Unless you are willing to go to a Goodwill store, the second hand stores in CT are over-priced and pretentious. In other words, you can really get good deals for extremely pricey items like Kristen did. However, I have never seen a decently priced (i.e. under $10) ATL, BR, Gap or Jcrew Item. I personally don't want to spend around $10 for something second-hand while I can get a comparable and brand new item for the same price (or slightly higher) with coupons or diligently following the sales at stores.

Another issue with consignment stores (I do like them) is that you have to take TIME to dig, look, try on, etc., and you may not find what you're looking for.

The best consignment stores near me are an hour away...again, time is money too. And there is the "crap shoot" factor.

I have small kids, and often times, it's easier to buy something new, on sale, and get exactly what I'm looking for, instead of gambling on C-stores.

I have sold things on consignment, which is a nice way to help fund new purchases.

BellaCV -- I wouldn't dismiss Goodwill out of hand. A co-worker and I raced over at lunchtime to do a recon mission at a local Goodwill that we had never been inside. We had very limited time, but figured it would be unclean and disorganized so we wouldn't need much time. Au contraire -- very clean, well lighted, well organized, and enormous. We wished we had much more time, because there were enough good things there to make it worth the hunt. I'm sure they're not all like that, but you never know when you might find one that is!

I've made a few mistaken purchases at a wonderful cosignment store near me. I admit, I can get seduced by a good deal. But my best purchase by far was a full-length fawn-coloured cashmere winter coat, which retailed for at least $800, for $110. It's the perfect thing to cover fancier outfits on the way to formal winter functions. Your purse sounds like a serious steal too, enjoy it!

So excited for your Kristen! I really have to watch myself at Consignment, it's easy for me to buy justifying the price so I try to stick to my list NOW (lol). I was excited though, I'd taken some stuff in a few weeks ago & checked on Saturday when I took a few more things in and I have a $100 credit. Woohoo - there's my new running shoes I need!! YEAH!! Can't wait to see your pics! :)

Lesley - I am with you on exactly those points, well at least if they apply to thrift shops.
For those of you with lots of time, stamina and imagination I can see they can be great.

(we don't have a C shop where I live but there are lots of (what we in Oz call) Op shops. I don't like them much because they are filled with stuff that was originally cheap anyway. If I go 2nd hand I want quality!)

Thanks, all! I started using the bag yesterday and am in love! It fits great on the shoulder and is perfect for all my work situations. Pictures to come this weekend when I have some free time!

Bella, I don't think your issue with consignment stores is strictly a CT problem; I've been to a few in IL too, and I find the same problem. There aren't a lot of current, popular brands at low prices -- most of the stuff is either too close to the original store price, or are older, less well-known brands. I think it's the difference between a consignment and a thrift store; people are looking to sell their clothes at consignment so the stuff is usually higher-end and more expensive, whereas with thrift they've given it away so the store charges less to sell it. Also, it may have to do with the locations of the consignment stores: the ones I have gone to have been in well-to-do towns, so the clothes are usually donated by older women who don't necessarily shop in BR, JCrew, etc. I see a lot of Talbots, though!

I know I completely lucked out with the bag; a find like that has been the exception rather than the rule for me.