Thrift shops, second-hand stores, pawn shops. They all have different names, but essentially the same items when it comes to clothing - cheap, used threads that are usually from the 1980s. I will admit, the only aspect the majority of these items are good for is tacky-themed parties. But if you really dig deep enough in these shops and patiently flip through rack after rack of polyester jackets and oversized sweaters, you can almost always find something cute and wearable.

I visited three second-hand stores in Manhattan - The Salvation Army, Grand Ol' Trunk and My Friend's Closet - in search of a few old items I could make look new again. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but was pleasantly surprised by the shopping outcome. I was able to put together an outfit for every occasion - evening, business, business casual and casual - using what I found in the second-hand stores and pieces I already owned. It takes a little more time then strolling through the mall, but on our college budgets, who couldn't afford digging a little to spend $15 on seven items instead of just one?

If Grand 'Ol Trunk is already your favorite store, keep up the hunting. If you've never stepped foot inside a thrift shop, give it a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with what you find. Most of the items will be basics and need to be paired with more exciting pieces, but every once in a while, you will find something truly different. But just a friendly reminder - thoroughly wash and clean everything before you wear it.

1) Found on a rack next to denim tube tops, this sweater dress was originally from Target - the tag was even still attached - before it made its way to My Friend's Closet. This is my favorite find of all the pieces, because you could literally walk into Target and buy it right now. But instead of paying $17.99, I only paid a fraction of its cost.

2) Basics like tank tops are one of the easiest things to find in second-hand stores. Though most of them should not be worn on their own, they work just fine for coverage under thin shirts or low-cut tops; and they're always super cheap.

3) Belts are still very popular in the fashion industry, but instead of the thick, wide belts that were in a few years ago, style has down-sized. This is great for thrift-shoppers because each store I visited had tons of used belts - some more used than others. But the majority were skinny to one-inch - perfect for any outfit today.

4) Lucky for us, high-waisted skirts and pants are in demand once again, and they are in thrift shops by the dozens. The trick, however, is finding one that doesn't date itself by length, pattern or pleating. What made this skirt great was the simple color, design and pockets - pockets are very trendy on skirts right now. This skirt could also easily be shortened for a younger look.

5-6) Jewelry is my favorite part about second-hand shops. I love vintage earrings and necklaces, and there are always many one-of-a-kind accessories to be found in these stores. When I saw this set, I knew I had to have them; pearls are a timeless classic that make any outfit more sophisticated.

7) As I said earlier, basics are the easiest to find in thrift stores. Many people probably walked right past this sweater, seeing it only as a boring orange turtleneck. But paired with the right pieces, this boring sweater becomes a colorful necessity.

8) Something else I love about second-hand-shop jewelry is its versatility. If you're creative enough, you can take pins and broaches and turn them into necklaces or earrings. This case was a little more simple than that, but equally as fun. This chunky, dangle necklace is actually some hideous belt from who-knows-when. But when worn as a necklace, it becomes very cute and trendy.

9) I love these shoes. The pointed toe is something that has been in style for a while now, but the open cut is what's hot with designers right now. Typically, I've seen this cut on ankle boots, but rarely on a pump. Watch shoe stores over the next few months. I can almost guarantee you'll start to see heels like these.

10) Again with the basics. Cute button-downs are fairly simple to find in these stores and can go with almost any outfit. A solid cardigan is an essential to any woman's wardrobe, and it fits even better when you pay less than $3 for it.

11) Ah, the vintage T-shirt; one of the most fun items to look for in a second-hand store. It seems to be in a surplus in most shops. Its look of faded, thinned cotton is something many designers charge big bucks for - Standard Style, a designer store in Kansas City, Mo., and Leawood, Kan., sells faded and thinned KU T-shirts for $90, but who would want that in the first place? - but you only have to spend a couple dollars at most if you go to a thrift store.