by Karen Shaw Suriner

Created on: March 01, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

The secret is out: there are jaw-dropping deals to be had at the thrift store! Even women who previously shunned the idea of wearing "someone else's clothing" are scouring their local Salvation Armies and Goodwills for designer bargains. But while thrift stores have piles of high quality used clothing at rock-bottom prices, there are also plenty of pitfalls to be found.

"Grant me the wisdom to change what I can, the serenity to accept what I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference." Whoever said that must have been a thrift-store fashionista! Here are some things to bear in mind when searching for secondhand steals, to avoid making someone else's headache your own:

Know your fabrics. There are two kinds of fiber: natural and synthetic. Many garments include both, in proportions stated on the label.

Natural fibers are, well, natural in origin: cotton, wool, silk, and linen are among the more commonly found ones. Their porous nature makes them absorbent, so they retain stains but also accept dye well. Natural fabrics tend to be wrinkly and are prone to shrink when washed or dried with heat.

Synthetic fibers are made of extruded plastic (!) and include fleece, acrylic, nylon, and polyester. These nonporous fibers usually need little or no ironing and do not shrink. With wear, synthetic knits (acrylic, for example) often develop those insidious little fuzzy balls called "pills" - an effective lint remover (or "pill shaver," as I like to call it) is an excellent investment to prolong the life of your knits.

Beware of the insidious "Dry clean only" tag unless you're okay with paying more to clean your clothes than you did to purchase them. Coats and jackets are an exception to this rule if your savings exceed the cost of dry cleaning. These items are almost always "Dry clean only," but shouldn't require frequent cleaning anyway.

Know the signs. When you find an item you like, examine it carefully for flaws and signs of wear. Some of can be fixed and some cannot. It's a good idea to know the return policy anywhere you shop.

Stains are the #1 reason for good clothes gone bad. Sometimes they can be cut off, i.e. pantlegs can be cut into shorts, long sleeves can be cut to mid- or short-sleeve length. (If you plan to do this, fold the item while trying it on, to get an idea of how it will look. Make sure it covers all of your assets, so to speak.)

Stains can also be disguised with an applique, patch pocket, or other creative additions. Check your local craft or

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