Check Out That Pricetag

It's no secret that I love to shop. And even more than I love to shop, I love to find a bargain. Luckily, I can seek—and find—both pleasures at Secondi in Dupont Circle.

Secondi, which is located at 1611 Connecticut Avenue NW, just above the Starbucks at Connecticut and R Street NW, is a consignment shop that offers designer and mainstream store labels at a fraction of the original price of the clothes. This is one of the places around town where women who can afford to wear something once bring their clothes to recoup a little of what they spent on the original outfit.

Secondi encourages return visits for a number of reasons. First of all, you never know when something new will arrive and make its way to the racks. I've gone there and found nothing to try on, but other days make my way to the dressing room with armloads of goodies.

Some of my favorite finds? A last-season pair of Gap khaki bootcut hipster pants, original tags still attached, for $14. The sweetest pair of asymmetrical lime green suede slides that I would have never bought new, but at the price (in the neighborhood of $25) and the fit, I couldn't pass them up at Secondi. The most fabulous pair of black patent leather high heeled sandals that make me feel amazing every second I have them on my feet. These babies were mine for just $18.

Great finds that didn't make it home with me included a Dana Buchman evening gown for $100—the only reason it didn't come home with me was because it was eerily similar in color and style to my wedding dress. I tried on a very trendy faux fur collar three-quarters length coat that was 40 percent off, based on the date—I could have taken it home for under $40.

The date on the pricetag is part of the beauty of Secondi. Every item is priced when it arrives in the store, and the date the item goes on the racks also appears on the tag. Anything that hangs on the rack for a month drops to 20 percent off, and after two months, it drops to 40 percent off. It encourages return visits. Last time I was there, there were several shirts that were priced well, but that I didn't really need. However, if they're still there after they've been on the rack for two months, they'll be that much more appealing.

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