Nonprofit thrift stores get the largest share, mostly because it's one of the easiest options and donors get a tax break. Drop off your bags, get a receipt and the job is done.

The hardest part may be deciding which thrift store to pick. Many make money for certain charities. For instance, ReTails on North Market Drive in Raleigh supports AnimalKind, which educates pet owners and provides financial assistance on spaying and neutering. Abbeygail's Closet on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh benefits the Women's Center of Wake County, which supports homeless women. The 24 GCF Donation Center and Stores in the Triangle and throughout Eastern North Carolina support the efforts of Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina.

Most thrift stores simply ask that clothes are clean and in good condition, without rips or stains. The nicer, though, the better.

"Brand names are always very welcome because they bring in bigger donations," said Scott Misner, a spokesman and board member for ReTails.

Easy enough.

But let's say you're finally ready to part with that Judith Leiber handbag you never use. Or your two-sizes-too-small 7 For All Mankind jeans. And maybe you'd like a faster financial return.

That's where a consignment shop might come in handy. Most consignment stores will take the merchandise off your hands and try to resell it, often offering 50 percent of the profits.

Nancy Ruggirello, owner of Gorgeous Gowns and Dresses, a consignment shop on Maynard Road in Cary that specializes in reselling wedding and evening gowns, said the better condition the clothes arrive in, the quicker they'll sell -- and the faster you'll get a check.

Her store often gives customers a 60/40 percent split on wedding gowns, mostly because Ruggirello has to spend so much time with customers.

The pitfall? Often not getting nearly the amount that you paid for the item.

Walter Pereira, an owner of the new Stuff Consignment Boutique on West Martin Street in downtown Raleigh, said customers have to be realistic about the amount they'll get. He said he tries to price clothes at 50 percent of the original price, but sometimes it's 35 percent.

Ruggirello agrees, "It's a great way to get rid of stuff, but you have to be realistic about what you can get. Something is better than nothing."

Ruggirello said selling through consignment takes patience, too. It can take three months or more for some items to sell, depending on what it is.

And don't be surprised when a consignment store owner flat out refuses certain items you might think are perfectly good quality. While it might in good condition, it might be a few seasons too old or out of style completely.

Kerry Crocker, who owns the personal organization company Space Cadette in Chapel Hill, said it might feel like a bad case of rejection, especially for those who are emotionally attached to their clothes and are already having trouble parting with their favorites.

One alternative is to consider selling them on eBay, she said. If you're not up for the task yourself, go to one of the many eBay stores that have opened in the region to do the work for you. "It makes it an easier option for you," she said.