7 News Features: Look for Less

WSVN -- If you want to wear designer labels, you have to lay out big bucks, or do you?

Millie Ramos: "It came in from the consignor. It's never been used. It's in mint condition."

Millie's Closet is a consignment shop in Miami Lakes. Owner Millie Ramos says savvy shoppers are turning to shops like hers for better bargains. From Coach bags to Nine West wedges, Millie offers name-brand items slightly used for a fraction of the cost.

Millie Ramos: "This one is a black Halo dress, going for $35, also in very good condition."

Here's how it works: people bring in their gently used or new items. Millie sets the price and puts it on sale. If it sells, the person who brought it in gets 40 percent, and the store gets the rest, financially beneficial on both sides.

Millie Ramos: "Times are tough, people are not really spending the amount of money that they used to."

This shopper found a black wrap-around dress for a steal, under 20 bucks. She says consignment stores are more convenient than the malls.

Jeanette Hernandez: "I don't have to deal with parking, the craziness and stuff like that."

High-end shoppers can also forgo the pricey boutiques without missing a fashion step. At C. Madeleine's in North Miami Beach, you can find everything from vintage to couture.

Cori Burnett: "We're selling a lot of Herve Viche, a lot of Alyia, Thierry Mugler, anything that has a name on it."

Vintage Thierry Mugler suits normally retail for thousands of dollars a piece. Here they sell for around $650.

Cori Burnett: "They're a fraction of the cost of what they're worth, so you can definitely still get a deal."

A custom-made gown will cost you about $10,000 and up. Here you can find a one-of-a-kind dress for about $3,500 bucks and this 1950s vintage sundress, in mint condition, is $525.

Cori Burnett: "People who come here, they love this kind of dress because you can't see that anymore."

You can also find tops and dresses for around $45, and despite the struggling economy, sales are up.

Alexandra Morisseau: "They're still buying. We're doing really well right now with accessories, a lot of jewelry, a lot of handbags."

Another plus to consignment shopping, the merchandise changes weekly, so you have a good excuse to shop often and check for your favorite brands.

Alexandra Morisseau: "It may not be in mint condition but in very good condition and you can still wear it and feel like you did if you bought it from a department store."

Millie's next idea for the savvy shopper is rent-a-bag. You can rent a designer bag for a small deposit, then return it in the same condition, when you're done.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Millie's Closet
16459 NW 67th Ave.
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
http://www.milliescloset.com/

C. Madeleine's
13702 Biscayne Boulevard
North Miami Beach, FL 33181
Tel: (305) 945-7770
http://www.cmadeleines.com/