Goodwill has a hip new U District outpost that can keep you trendy for less

It's the holiday season, so why not spread a little goodwill, freshen up your wardrobe and still keep that commitment to thrift intact?

Although aimed primarily at college students, Seattle Goodwill's new U District location, which celebrated its grand opening in early November with a line of people waiting at the door, stocks a terrific selection of age-defying, hip, trendy clothing and accessories for women and men, along with housewares, linens, and small appliances. While most items are gently used, you'll find a respectable mix of new items. In addition, daily sales and specials will provide for some sticker shock at the cash register -- the good kind.

Long past college age, I scored a brand new pair of Abercrombie & Fitch copper, straight-leg cords, and what a score it was. With the original store tag still hanging ($60), they were $8 and I almost pulled out my reading glasses to make sure. The daily red tag special brought my total purchase to $4. Cha-ching!

Along with serious savings comes what Seattle Goodwill's David Sandler calls the "feel-good aspect." "This is a terrific alternative to shopping regular retail. Whether you shop or donate, you're supporting free job training and placement services to help those in need become self-sufficient through work."

One thing that makes for pleasurable browsing is both the store's compact size and well- organized sections. "Most of our stores are 20,000 square feet," says Sandler. "At 5,400 square feet, this is about one quarter of the size. We wanted to open a store in an urban neighborhood and keep that urban, chic feel, and one that's smaller, with a more intimate appeal." The merchandise for the U District location is selected mostly from donations that come in to Goodwill's large Dearborn Street facility by sorters who are trained to stay current on fashion trends.

Head to the back of the store for housewares, like a brand new 14-piece set of stainless steel, titanium knives, ($19.99). On the other hand, if you're in the mood for kitschy Christmas decor or a modern, stainless steel lamp topped by a fluffy, snow-white shade, you're in business. There's also a fine selection of glittery belts and shoes, glorious shoes. How about a pair of Isaac Mizrahi black, patent leather Mary Jane heels ($7.99) or Bandolino gray satin, cross-strap pumps ($24.99)?

Head upstairs for vintage wear of all kinds, plus dresses divided by decades, starting with the 1950s into the 21st century, with everything from an early-'80s disco diva number to a timeless, 1970s black velvet sleeveless dress with a creamy satin V-neck collar ($10) from I Magnin. For those too young to recall, I Magnin was once the epicenter of high-class, luxury shopping in Seattle.

Pursuing the 1990s was 40-something Seattle resident and first-time customer Susan Bachelor, a teacher at Green River Community College, who carried an armload of clothing, including a dark blue slate wrap dress. "This will look great over leggings." She decreed the store a "very cool place," calling it a "very hip little Goodwill with clothing that seems just right for me," describing her look as "Northwest casual."

Easy-to-browse aisles reveal a fine selection of leather jackets, vintage suede coats, jeans aplenty, cute little hoodies, trendy tees and cozy winter wear like a Kenneth Cole quilted waist-length jacket ($29.99) and mint condition, 100 percent cashmere shrug ($9.99). If you're in need of something cheery, there was even a pair of brightly hued pink and lime green Lilly Pulitzer Capri pants.

As the holidays are the perfect time to reflect on what is most important in life, why not continue the season of giving year 'round, with some new duds for you and a helping hand to someone else?

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