Good deals and vintage fashion never go out of style.

Shoppers can find both, as well as a way to make some extra money to refresh their wardrobe, at consignment and resale shops across the island.

One of those shoppers is Malina Reveal, a forensics and biological anthropologist who is accustomed to getting her hands dirty and grew tired of stores that judged her by her scruffy jeans and well-worn backpack.

Instead of braving the high-end mall stores where she may have been snubbed, Reveal has been shopping for three years at Tara’s Secret Closet on King Street, an upscale ladies resale boutique in Hono­lulu that sells clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories.

Though her job keeps her covered in dirt some days, Reveal still enjoys dressing up when practical. "I always have a pair of heels tucked in my backpack. When no excavation is scheduled at work, I get to wear the nice things I pick up," Reveal said.

Among her favorite finds are handmade slippers from India embellished with metal and beads, intricate Indian bangles and a Lacoste sweater in perfect condition.

"There’s a high turnover of garments, so there’s always something new," she said.

Reveal’s advice: "If you see something you like, buy it. If you go back, it won’t be there."

Tara Phillips, owner of Tara’s Secret Closet, provides a store credit to people who drop off goods to be sold. "Things are not sold on consignment. Vouchers are provided that can be used to purchase items in the store. Cash is sometimes given for handbags," she said.

Vintage articles are really popular, Phillips said, but when selecting items for the store, she looks for uniqueness — stuff that’s stylish and different.

Vintage, timeless and unique — those are the buzzwords of the consignment industry.

Rose Lee, owner of Consignment Corner in Kahala, continually seeks up-to-date designs in pristine condition. Her most popular sellers are Louis Vuitton bags.

"Everyone wants one of those. Louis Vuitton doesn’t show wear and tear," she said. "The fashion doesn’t change over the years. They have 100 years of history and good resale value."

Chanel is the second most desireable brand, followed by Gucci, she added. "Chanel is not as practical as Louis Vuitton. It’s more of a pricey status symbol."

Suits by St. John are also sought-after apparel. "The suits appeal to professional women — lawyers, bankers and Realtors."

Lee has a waiting list for any gently used Hermes bags — valued at $10,000 — that turn up. "In this sluggish market, people out there are still willing to shell out that kind of money on a handbag," she said.

"Serious buyers" include customers from Japan, New York, Denver and Canada.

Sellers can drop off goods, which are displayed at Consignment Corner for 90 days. If items are not sold, the owner can pick it up or donate it.

"We can’t keep things too long, and we can’t take everything," Lee said.

Most of the items in the store can be purchased at 20 to 50 percent off the retail price. Items range from a cas­ual outfit for less than $50 to pricey, collectible Art Deco fine jewelry. Many of the items in the store are sold by people who are moving or have gone through a divorce, she explained.

"Sellers would receive much less if they were selling at a garage sale or on the Internet," Lee added.

The profit split between Lee and the seller varies depending on the item.

Kailua resident Sharon Kawa­hara regularly shops at Consignment Corner and appreciates the fine jewelry she has found there. She said the discounts offered by consignment shopping allow her to purchase quality goods at an affordable cost — goods she wouldn’t normally buy at full price.

"I’ve also lost a lot of weight, so I dropped off my regular everyday clothes (like DKNY T-shirts) to Kailua Verde in Kailua," another upscale resale boutique. While in the process of losing weight, Kawahara was able to look stylish in consignment clothes without spending a lot on pieces she would be wearing for only a short time.

"It’s better than giving everything away. I dropped off about $500 worth of clothes," she explained. "It opens up all kinds of possibilities. People get good deals and I get something, too."

If you don’t care about getting cash back for your designer duds, you can donate new and gently used dresses, suits, separates, purses, shoes and other professional attire to the YWCA’s Dress for Success program, which uses the items to help low-income women who are entering the workforce. Call 695-2603 or visit www.ywca.org.