As a fresh semester begins, students may find themselves with gaping holes in both their wardrobes and their wallets. For some Miami University students, these setbacks can be remedied with a visit to a local thrift or vintage store.

Thrift stores allow customers to purchase recycled clothing, accessories and housewares for a fraction of the original retail price. While the idea seems simple, thrift stores are often overwhelming in size to unaccustomed visitors.

For Miami graduate student and thrifting aficionado Eva D’Intino, thrifting is like a treasure hunt. For a few hours of searching and a few dollars out of pocket, D’Intino has found high-end brands such as Juicy Couture, Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci, while shopping with her friends at Valley Thrift.

“When you find something amazing, it’s way more satisfying than just having bought it,” D’Intino said. “Anyone can buy a cute outfit.”

Thrifting may serve the purposes of your $5 prom party, or your next Halloween costume, but given the time, everyday clothing steals or antique furniture can be a bonus.

“Thrifting is a good way to find clothing for multiple reasons. They’re great for theme parties, but people shouldn’t just limit themselves just for parties,” recent graduate Dave Yousavich said.

Thrift stores nearby Oxford include Fairfield and Cincinnati Valley Thrift locations and Casablanca Vintage.

Valley Thrift is housed in a large, warehouse-like building. Anything from baby shoes to adult clothing and toys to household items can be found amongst its numerous racks and shelves.

D’Intino says the best times to go to Valley Thrift are on national holidays, when the store has a 50 percent off sale. Every Monday, the store offers 25 percent off all merchandise.

Debra Rapoport, New York City-based artist, thrifter, stylist and contributor for the blog Advanced Style, has thrifted since her college days in the 1960s. Rapoport has experience shopping at thrift and vintage stores all over the country. Rapoport said one of the most important things to remember is to keep yourself from becoming inundated in a well-stocked thrift store.

“Choose a category to start,” Rapoport said. “Decide ‘I need or want a blouse, top, or shirt.’”

Rapoport said she starts by scanning through each rack and discarding the plain and ordinary the first time through. Then, Rapoport looks at anything else that looks unusual even if her eyes tell her “That’s ugly.” Rapoport forces herself to look at each item and make a judgement call.

“(The technique) forces me to learn to discriminate but really trying to look with a fresh eye,” said Rapoport.

Rapoport said thrifting allows people to play with colors, textures and structures, at a fraction of the cost of retail stores.

“Learn to play; your body is sculpture. Play with color for sure. Combine the unusual. I feel that if you repeat a color at least twice, any and all colors work together,” Rapoport said.

Nestled in Cincinnati for 15 years, Casablanca Vintage is a large store divided into two parts; one where employees sort and price newly-acquired items, and an organized section where rows of almost any vintage accessory are on display.

The prices are a bit higher than thrift stores like Valley Thrift and Goodwill, but the items are often very unique, according to D’Intino.

Casablanca employee Tim Willig said patience is a virtue when it comes to vintage and thrift shopping.

“Take your time and have a sense of who you are and what your sizes are. Don’t be afraid to try stuff on,” Willig said.

D’Intino said although keeping an open mind is important when shopping at a thrift store, some items are almost impossible to find.

“Jeans that really fit are hard to find, but I’ve found some great dresses for just a few dollars,” she said.

Other challenges for thrifters include the effects of the poor economy trickling down to what becomes available at thrift stores, according to Rapoport.

“Within the last two years, I’ve noticed quality and diversity going down. People are keeping more things,” she said.

For senior Britt Sicora, the challenge of spending hours searching through racks of clothes may take a lot of patience, and sometimes the shopper may not find anything. However, the stock of thrift and vintage stores is always changing, and once a cheap and chic treasure is found, the search is worthwhile for Sicora.

“You feel like each item tells its own story, it has its own past,” Sicora said.

For more advice on thrifting and fashion from Debra, see the Advanced Style blog at http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com.