NYC has some of the best thrift shops around. It must be because there are a lot of rich people often giving away their hardly-worn clothes (no hand-me-downs in those circles - fine with me!) Throughout my thrift-shopping "career," I have found so many amazing things, I have little desire to shop in "normal" clothing stores at all - well, except for underwear and shoes. For me, thrift-shopping provides a definite "thrill of the unknown" that calls me - I never know when I'll stumble upon something incredible, that I never knew existed and is one-of-a-kind. And also - who wants to look like everybody else? With a bit of creativity and persistence in hunting, you can find great things for around $5.

Below I have compiled my favorite "expeditions" - various thrift shops to visit on individual outings, located in easy walking distance from a central starting point.

The East 20's Expedition: I take the Lexington Ave. subway line (#6 ) and get off at 28th Street. I walk east on 28th. Between Park and Lex., I make a quick stop at the Center Thrift Shop. It can tend toward pricey, but I usually check out the big rummage table near the back of the store, where I've found things cheap. Next: I head out, and continue heading east until I reach 3rd Ave., where I make a left turn. Between 28th and 29th is a Goodwill Thrift Shop. I like the "Goodwill" shops - there are at least five of them in NYC - is because their prices are regulated, and they're cheap (compared to some thrift shops that think they're selling new clothes on Madison Avenue). Next: I head downtown a couple of blocks, until I reach the Help Line Thrift Shop, located on 3rd Ave., between 27th and 28th. It's a small store with not a huge selection, but they're practically dirt cheap. I do consistently manage to find good things in there. Next: I head downtown, to 23rd St. At 23rd, I head east. Between 2nd & 3rd Ave., I stop by the Salvation Army. The clothing is located in the basement, so I have to take the elevator down one floor. The atmosphere in the basement is rather dismal - crowed and not very well lit - but I always find good stuff there, so I bear with the not-so-pleasant environment. Next: Just a few doors down, heading east, from "Sal's Boutique" (as an old friend used to call Salvation Army's), is another Goodwill Thrift Shop. This one is very big, and very pleasant to shop in. I always find good stuff in here. After this Goodwill Shop, I definitely call it a day.

The Upper East Side Expedition: Once again, I take the Lexington Ave. subway line (#4,5,6 ) and get off at 86th St. (By the way, this is an express stop, so you can speed up there on the #4 train.) I head east until I reach Second Ave., where I make a left and head uptown. On Second Ave. between 88th and 89th is a great place called the Stuyvesant Square Thrift Shop. It has a vast selection of clothes to look through. So much, in fact, that you could get nearly "thrifted out" after this one store! The prices are very reasonable, which is nice. After I've looked through this store, if I'm up to more thrifting, I head down Second Ave., until I reach 81st Street. I head west on 81st, until I hit Out of the Closet Thrift Shop, located between 2nd & 3rd Ave. This place is half antique store/half thrift store. Some things are pretty expensive, like things in an antique store would be - but they always seem to have sales going on. I make sure to check out the "barn" area in the back - for 75% off bric-a-brac, and also for the large, organized selection of books. After this store, sometimes I'll drop by the Godmother's League Thrift Shop, located on 3rd Ave. They aren't incredibly cheap, but - you never know.

The Mid-Town West Side Expedition: I take the 8th Ave. subway line (C, E) to 50th St. When I get out of the subway, I head west until I reach 9th Ave. I head downtown until I reach 46th street, then I head west again, until I hit the gargantuan Salvation Army located on 46th St. between 10th & 11th Ave. Although the prices at Sal's have gone up in recent years, still there are good deals to be had. This store is so immense that I'm all thrifted out after I finish it.

If you'd like to create your own expedition, or just check out a few stores I haven't mentioned, here's a complete list of the many thrift shops this city has to offer.