(Mark Muscatello)
Bargain Bin
Living stylishly on a budget
(Mark Muscatello)
JULIE’S TREASURES
We finally hit two new-ish consignment shops we’ve been hearing about. The first, Hidden Jules (playfully named, in part, for owner Julie Malcolm), keeps a bit of everything in its cozy, but not crammed, space. Tops ran the gamut from H&M to BCBG, with most in the $8-$22 range. A small $10-and-under rack had Gap, Calvin Klein, and Kenneth Cole denim, while a bin by the register had a fetching, brand-new DKNY top for $9.80. There’s a tiny selection for guys and a room devoted to kids, with little bins of socks and tights, hats, and tops for $1-$2. Hidden Jules is at 671 Adams St., Dorchester, 617-379-3388.
SIDEWALK SALE
We’re hoping for good weather for this weekend’s annual South End Sidewalk Sale, which will include around 13 neighborhood stores offering discounts of up to 75 percent. Aunt Sadie’s (18 Union Park St., Boston, 617-357-7117, www.auntsadiesinc.com) will have tables of candles, cards, vintage paintings and plates, and more for at least 50 percent off; Design Within Reach (519 Tremont St., Boston, 617-451-7801, www.dwr.com) will have floor samples at 20-70 percent off. Other participants will include Uniform, Posh, and Diseño. See www.southendbusiness.com for details.ONLINE FURNITURE OUTLET
Our on-and-off quest for a proper sofa took us to the Circle Furniture online outlet, which includes items from Circle’s Cambridge and Acton outlets as well as markdowns from its stores (see www.circlefurniture.com for locations). A fun Hudson apartment sofa, upholstered in a Hampton Hibiscus fabric, was $1,349 (down from $1,929); and a Frank Lloyd Wright Oak Park loveseat in brown leather and cherry wood was $1,999 (originally $3,335). The online outlet also includes chairs, beds, dining tables, and more at up to half off original prices. (From the homepage, click on “Shop the Outlet.’’)CHEAP CHIC
In Andover, Chic Consignment Closet deals in higher-end wares for ladies, most priced at one-quarter to one-third of retail. (In other words, no $10 jeans here.) We found a few great dresses by Diane von Furstenberg, Free People, and BCBG Max Azria, as well as an Alice & Trixie silk sundress that we deemed perfect for a wedding we’ll be attending later this summer, priced at $70 (originally around $300). The store also has good selections of denim, jewelry, handbags, and shoes. Select summer clothing will be marked down 50 percent in mid-August. Chic Consignment Closet is at 46 Main St., Andover, 978-474-1755. www.chicconsignmentcloset.comSAMPLE SALE SITE
Guys who like Karmaloop would do well to bookmark JackThreads, a sample sale site devoted to street wear and contemporary fashion. The site typically focuses on one brand a day; recent deals include Analog hoodies, normally $60-$75, for $29.99-$36.99, and Beautiful/Decay and Insight Ts, originally $30 and $32, for $9.99. WESC, Clae, and Nixon are among the other brands we’ve seen on the site; markdowns are generally 50-70 percent. Sign up at www.jackthreads.com.AMI ALBERNAZ
Got an idea for Bargain Bin? Send it to ami.albernaz@gmail.com. 
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