Designer Resale Shop Makes Popular Labels Affordable

Pasadena is a great destination for women who haunt the resale stores--Silent Partners and Clothes Heaven East Union Street are excellent--but I suggest starting at Rag Time on Green for anyone looking to pay the lowest prices.

This store really could use more space (or less merchandise) because it’s so jammed with inventory that it takes a lot of time and effort to uncover the deals. But owner Bonnie Kilmer and her staff are on hand to help you find the outfit of your dreams for a small amount of money.

The racks are filled with names we all know--Nicole Miller, DKNY, Escada, Ellen Tracy, Ungaro and a load of Ann Taylor. One slick little DKNY white cocktail dress, tank style, was a wonderful $22; a colorful Liz Claiborne lunch dress was $23; and some terrific sweaters--a Coogi at $51, for one--were a fraction of the original price.

A whole table of barely worn designer shoes in size 6 1/2B will have you trying to make them fit. And the prices were more than right.

Rag Time’s method of pricing is to list four dates on the back of each hangtag. A pair of Ferragamo shoes were priced at $32 in June, $24 in July, in August they are $16 and come September they’ll be priced at $8. So if you have a gambling instinct, it pays to wait.

This is a 17-year-old consignment store with a 40%-60% split of the selling price. All merchandise must be seasonal, clean and ironed and at a “nice level of quality,” according to Kilmer.

Pieces are not evaluated upon being dropped off, and unused or unsold items are not returned. Anyone who leaves goods receives an inventory list from two days to three weeks after drop-off.

Rag Time on Green, 1136 E. Green St., Pasadena. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (626) 796-9924.

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Weekend Super Sale

Barney’s Warehouse Sale is in its final days, and this very pricey apparel for men and women is 50% to 80% off the original retail. Ladies, wear a leotard; there are no try-on facilities. Hours: Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. At Santa Monica Air Center, Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 777-5798.