Best store for used clothing
There are few things more satisfying than scoring an amazing item at a thrift store. It takes patience, perseverance, and most important, a thoughtfully and well-stocked store. Such is Boomerangs in Jamaica Plain and Brighton. Proceeds benefit the AIDS Action Committee, and in just one short visit, you can find items from the olden days of Versace, DKNY, Henri Bendel, and Christian Dior. There's also a fascinating selection of housewares, exercise equipment, books, movies, accessories, and an old, unopened bottle of Metamucil. Now that's a thrift store.

Proletariat in Harvard Square is the absolute last word in fantastic old T-shirts that make people shriek, "Oh my GOD, where did you find that?" Here's where to buy that Richard Marx concert T, a tiny child's pajama top featuring Slimer from the original Ghostbusters cartoon, an old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles NINJA PIZZA T, and many more. There's also an impressive selection of leather jackets, collegiate tweed blazers, denim, vintage dresses and skirts, and, for some reason, poker chips. Plus, you can buy vintage sheets for $5, to be used for fort-making or toga parties, as the store recommends.

Boomerangs, 716 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 524-5120, and 298 Washington Street, Brighton, (617) 787-0500, www.aac.org; Proletariat, 52B JFK Street, Cambridge, (617) 661-3865.