Secondhand deals and steals down the street

Recession got you down? What's a fashionista to do in an economic crisis? Not shop? Not an option.

Unfortunately, bargain options in Princeton have always been a bit wanting. The Nearly New consignment store is dingy, stale and a little too far from campus. Praying for a blowout sale at Banana Republic is rarely effective. And gazing longingly at the window display at Zoe wil hardly satisfy a craving for retail therapy.

Luckily, the Greene Street Consignment shop has arrived just in time to provide an affordable break from the pricier options on Nassau Street and Palmer Square.

Mind you, it takes a bit of looking to find the store, which is located on Nassau Street near the CVS. Unlike the J.Crew or Ralph Lauren shops in town, the consignment shop does not display an awning emblazoned with its name that calls out to passersby. You might miss the store if you're not looking carefully.

But finding the store is worth the work.

The Greene Street Consignment Shop boasts racks upon racks of clothing, with brands ranging from Old Navy and Wet Seal to J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, with occasional appearances of Hugo Boss and Diane von Furstenberg, all at much lower prices than retail. The collection is younger and fresher than Nearly New, and better suited for a college-student clientele.

If you have been procrastinating buying that dress for Houseparties, this may be the place to pick something out. The consignment shop carries a wide selection of little black dresses and colorful sundresses. But you have to be patient, as there is often a gaggle of girls crowding around the dresses (and they're probably there for the same purpose as you. Hint: If you see something you like, grab it. Otherwise, it'll soon be gone).

To top off your outfit, grab a pair of Tod's loafers or Yves Saint Laurent sandals. Be forewarned that your size may not be available, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot fit your size 9 feet into size 5.5 Marc Jacobs sandals.Once you have your outfit ready, it's time to try it on. This part may be a bit scary: In lieu of traditional dressing rooms (with doors and solid separators), the shop offers an area in which changing spaces for shoppers are separated by curtains. Change quickly — the curtains may be opened at any moment by an unaware shopper — and make sure you have closed your curtains tightly. Sometimes the edges are open, and you risk changing in front of the entire store.If, upon coming out of the "dressing room," you find a gorgeous designer bag at a ridiculously low price, read the label closely to make sure it's real: Nothing kills the thrill of finding a Gucci bag for $14 more than discovering that it's actually a fake.

For gentlemen looking for a good deal, the men's clothes are easier to find than the store is. Well, just a bit. If you look to the back, past all the dresses, there are racks of dress shirts and jeans hidden in a nook. As with the ladies' department, the gentlemen's section carries a fairly wide selection of shirts and pants, most priced under $30 — a total steal.

If this shopping excursion has left your closet overflowing. or if there are just clothes you no longer want, consider selling them to the shop. Just bring a minimum of 10 articles of clothing in good condition to the store (though you are recommended to bring more than 10 items in case any are rejected). With the extra money you earn, you might be able to buy a new outfit or two.

Pros: Variety and recession-friendly prices

Cons: Uncomfortable dressing rooms