Where to shop for Palm Beach consignment, thrift bargains

PALM BEACH, Fla. – From Chanel jackets to Birkin bags and Lilly Pulitzer, consignment stores and even bargain thrift shops in the Palm Beach, Florida, area, have all the labels you love. Here's a guide.

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HIGH-END CONSIGNMENT

— FASHIONISTA PALM BEACH, 298 S. County Road, Palm Beach

The exquisite 1980s floor-length sequined white-and-black Chanel dress that greets visitors at this Palm Beach gem says it all. The store specializes in high-end women's vintage. It's a must for fashion lovers, even if you aren't looking to buy. Recent finds: an Armani black mink coat with fox collar, $20,000, and an Oscar de la Renta silk strapless lace gown, $3,000.

The store has a large collection of Hermes Birkins and designer shoes, plus fun accessories like black Chanel kidskin gloves adorned with pink stingray designs for $975, a $600 Alexander McQueen lacy knitted dress and a $650 Chanel slip dress.

— CLASSIC COLLECTIONS, 118 N. County Road, Palm Beach

This store recently added an entire room for Chanel, including signature jackets for around $1,250, plus shoes, bags and jewelry. Recent finds included a wide selection of purses (including four Birkins); gowns by Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera; plus vintage Krizia and Mary McFadden.

Fine and costume jewelry, including Tiffany, Cartier and Chopard, set the store apart. South Sea baroque pearls were $11,900, a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and gold necklace was $31,995 and a Charles Krypell diamond ring was $6,995. There's wiggle-room to negotiate higher-end jewelry prices.

— PARADISE LOST, 227 Sunrise Ave., Palm Beach

Paradise Lost has three charming stores within walking distance. The high-end boutique carries labels like Chanel, Hermes and Valentino plus rare items like a Louis Vuitton tennis racket cover and a red suede Cartier train case. Recent finds included Chanel shoes around $299, a Hermes silk blouse, $499, and a short Missoni dress, $399, plus lots of St. John and several stunning, reasonably priced evening wear options, including a gold-beaded floor-length Escada dress for $699. At the lower-end boutique, Lilly Pulitzer sweaters were $30 to $70. A furniture and home goods store has tons of Louis Vuitton luggage and unique estate pieces like Mizner chandeliers.

— SERENDIPITY, 2200 Glades Road, Suite 506, Boca Raton

Everything is less than 2 years old and in pristine condition at Serendipity: furs, Chanel jackets, Louis Vuitton, a table of stunning Hermes scarves and a case of Hermes bags. Fashion designer Betsey Johnson and famed "Sex & the City" costume designer Patricia Field have shopped here. Looking for that hard-to-find designer bag? If owner Lisa Stark doesn't have it, she'll hunt it down. Layaway offered.

— ENCORE PLUS BOUTIQUE, 281 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton

Encore Plus organizes its large selection of high-end designers including Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel and Dior by color. Find everything from a silver Chanel zippered track-style jacket for $1,150 to a bell-sleeved V-neck Missoni dress for $350. There's a fur room in back along with vintage gowns. The boutique also offers mid-tier designers like a $70 Trina Turk yellow sheath, a black leather Milly cropped jacket with cutouts for $125 and a black and white Tracy Reese dress for $140. Chanel purses ranged from $800 to $4,700. A wall of shoes, many Christian Louboutin, were $200 to $400.

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THRIFT STORE BARGAINS

— GOODWILL EMBASSY BOUTIQUE, 210 Sunset Ave., Palm Beach

There are lots of gems at this small and well-curated Goodwill boutique that takes castoffs from the well-heeled and from stores like Brooks Brothers and Saks. It's not uncommon to find new items with original tags. Seen on a recent visit: three new Lilly Pulitzer dresses, $99 each; a wine-colored Tadashi cocktail dress, new with original $370 tags, for $85, and a Michael Kors tie-dye maxi dress, $20. A good selection of menswear includes button-downs for $25.

Jay Strongwater items are among a small selection of fine housewares, with a Lalique bowl recently selling for $1,000. Look for items tagged in different colors for weekly 50 percent off sales, plus 25 percent discounts on certain days for students and seniors.

— CHURCH MOUSE, 374 S. County Road, Palm Beach

This unique Palm Beach landmark offers men's and women's clothing. It's a great place to pick up Maus & Hoffman, a Brooks Brother suit jacket for $150 or men's Ralph Lauren button-downs for $20. Be prepared for a little digging, but that's half the fun. A Tahari sheath dress was $95 and a rack of women's pants were all priced at $8. Also: lots of Lilly Pulitzer dresses, books, furniture, home decor and other odds and ends.

— NEARLY NEW, 2218 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach

Behind the furniture and housewares, the clothing section here has some notables mixed with basic labels like $10 Talbots shorts. A Lilly Pulitzer blouse was $40, Lilly shorts were $25, Nanette Lepore pants were $80 and a short-sleeved Escada knit was $30. It's also a good place for fashionable no-name clothes, like a printed wrap dress for $8. A clearance rack of elegant cocktail and full-length dresses had several items in good condition for $25 and $45.

— BETHESDA BARGAIN BOX, 12 NE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach

This store has a notable men's section where recent finds included a Burberry suit for $230, blazers for $25 and quality button-downs for $11. Clothes are more worn here, but scores exist, like pink Lilly Pulitzer skinny jeans for $60, a $50 white double-breasted Tory Burch jacket and a Trina Turk shift dress for $40. The shop is geared toward basic labels like Ann Taylor and Banana Republic, with deals like shorts for $6, a black Express dress, $7, and $40 trench coats. There's a sweet selection of children's clothes. Oh, and everything is an additional 50 percent off.