FRUGAL FASHIONS; Thrift shopping: It's not about where you go, but

In the world of high-powered fashion it's all about the Benjamins.

But if you have the time and the taste, you can look like a million bucks while barely breaking a Jackson.

Last week 7 went on a shopping spree with local fashion guru and soccer coach Tim Seely and models Johnny Palladino and Jasmine Gregory.

The mission was simple: to find seven fresh fall looks at local thrift stores (see accompanying fashion guide).

You can save yourself a buck or 10 if you're willing to spend an extra hour or two, Seely said.

"It takes time and effort to go original. You can go to the department stores and find a wack outfit and it's all right because everyone looks the same. Department stores are for people who don't want to think about what they're wearing," Seely said. "I go to department stores for staples like jeans and shoes, but I go to thrift stores for cords, sweaters and button-up shirts."

Part of thrift shopping is not knowing what you're looking for; the other part is knowing what to do with it when you find it.

"When I go thrift shopping, I have no expectations. I dig in the crates and put something together. The best treasures are hidden, that's what I like about it," Seely said. "You can dress preppy, but if you sag your pants and throw on a hip-hop hat, it changes the whole feel."

During our excursion we bumped into several fashionable shoppers who were already hip to secondhand gold digging.

Sculptor Tim Oberst, 30, recently moved back to Spokane after living in Los Angeles. He hits thrift stores twice a week and says he has nine U-Haul boxes full of finds.

Eastern Washington University student Doug McCoy outfits himself and his kids at The Classy Rack, 301 W. Boone Ave.

"I'm a college student and I have three kids in private school. This is the place for me. They have cool stuff and great prices," McCoy said. "You're not getting crappy clothes like some other stores. They have really neat stuff all the time. I can find outfits for my kids - play clothes, school clothes or just kick-it-around- the-house clothes."

The best part of thrift shopping, Seely said, is finding something you love for $4.99.

"That means so much more than finding something you like for $100," Seely said.

SIDEBAR:SHOP TILL YOU DROP Here are seven local thrift stores to help you get dipped for fall fashion. -- Classy Rack, 301 W. Boone Ave., 11921 E. Sprague Ave. -- Value Village, 708 W. Boone Ave., 13112 E. Sprague Ave. -- Volunteers of America, 1010 N. Atlantic St. -- Salvation Army, 2020 N. Division St. -- Goodwill, 202 E. Third Ave., 9832 N. Nevada St., 13721 E. Sprague Ave. -- Drop Your Drawers, 6315 E. Sprague Ave. -- Funky Threads & Groovy Vinyl, 2415 N. Monroe St. More discount shopping -- Nordstrom Rack, NorthTown Mall -- Target, 9770 N. Newport Highway, 13724 E. Sprague Ave. -- Wal-Mart, 15727 E. Broadway Ave. -- Fred Meyer, 15609 E. Sprague Ave., 400 S. Thor St., 12120 N. Division St. -- Ross Dress For Less, 5504 N. Division St. -- Righteous Rags and Records, 1307 N. Hamilton St.

Isamu Jordan can be reached at isamuj@spokane7.com or (509) 459- 5299.

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