I'd like to be more knowledgeable about what I'm looking for when thrift or consignment store shopping. I need to know more about both quality and labels.

1. What characeristics should I look for to see if clothing is durable and high-quality? "How To Be a Budget Fashionista" mentions a few things: straight stitching, lining on jackets, but I know there's a lot more to recognizing quality clothing. Is there a source on here I can look at?

2. Designer labels: Until I started listening to the podcasts and reading the book, I had no idea what Kate Spade even was. Is there a list I can look at or print out and carry with me in order to recognize designer clothing when I see it?

see how it hangs… lower quality synthetics squeeze on the fat of supermodels who have very little or none. higher quality synthetics skim curves and hang better. see the fall. feel it, is it nice… I have a high end wrapdress by max studio, that the few things that set them apart from walmart wrapdresses is fewer pills, and that it skims curves as opposed to making there look there is fat where there isn't. It should make fat look like curves, not the other way around. The most important thing is, does it look good on you. There can be a lower quality dress that looks good on you, and because of you taking good care of it (we do take better care of more expensive things right?), it looks great and works great for you. A saturated color, meaning little fading, bold color.

Lining, for me, is a big thing. I don't think you should just reserve it for jackets. Also consider it with skirts and pants. I look at the zippers and/or buttons. How are they sewen or stitched?? And sometimes just the way the garment feels. Another thing is retension of shape. Is this going to stretch or does it have stretch? Shopping at vintage and consignment stores is not exact science. It's all about trial and error and eventually you'll just know.

When it comes to labels just do some research. Vintage will require alittle more knowledge, I think. There are the obvious Chanel and Gucci. I've come across some Halston pieces too. There is Pucci and Yves Saint Laurent. But if you're not looking for really high-end items check out http://www.style.com. They give you almost ever designer name and label. You can view fashion shows and read articles to familiarize yourself with designers and their clothing.

Good luck and happy shopping! : )