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TREASURE HUNT: A SHOPPING ADDICT’S GUIDE TO THE CITY’S BEST THRIFT STORES

Shopping is hard this time of year. The post-holiday sales have ended, leaving only full-priced spring duds on the floor. For those of us who refuse to pay retail, these stores are off-limits until at least April, when the pre-summer sales start up.

But not all hope is lost.

Right now, Manhattan thrift stores are brimming with great clothes and accessories purged during winter closet cleanings.

With some work, you can find some real jewels in these shops. Take, for example, the amazing Givenchy Couture green moir – mini pouf skirt that I found at the Council Thrift Shop a couple weeks ago for $15.

Of course, it’s difficult to find these treasures. But the thrill is in the hunt. And I’ve found plenty of great stuff at these thrifts, which all seem to be clustered together in one of three areas.

UPPER EAST SIDE

Third Avenue between 81st and 84th streets

Begin your UES thrift crawl at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Care Thrift Shop (1440 Third Ave.; [212] 535-1250). Its stock ain’t especially cheap – a used pair of YSL suede pumps goes for $50, and a mink stole behind the counter is priced at $3,000 – but repeated visits can pay off, especially during a sale time like now, when nearly everything is 50 percent off.

Across the street is one of the Spence-Chapin Thrift Shops (1473 Third Ave., [212] 737-8448). Along with its sister store at 1850 Second Ave. (between 95th and 96th streets; [212] 426-7643), this is a go-to place for women’s sweaters (about $20). You’ll also find inexpensive suits from Escada, Donna Karan and the like, going for $45 during their current half-off promotion. I recently found a lovely YSL Rive Gauche trench at Spence-Chapin for $75, which seemed reasonable – at least when compared to the store’s early ’80s dresses, which were overpriced at $100.

Before you leave Third Avenue, check out the Cancer Care Thrift Shop (1480 Third Ave.; [212] 879-9868). I found a gorgeous Malo cashmere wrap in excellent condition for $300. Other designer duds run from $50 to about $400, including suits and winter coats. Don’t forget to check out the jewelry counter on the way out: There was a super (and very au courant) coral necklace tagged $65 – totally reasonable.

I have only recently discovered the Council Thrift Shop (246 E. 84th St., between Second and Third avenues; [212] 439-8373) – and I’m sick that I’ve been missing out for so many years. There’s great stock here – much of it designer and all in good condition and fairly priced. On my visit a couple weeks ago, I not only scored that green Givenchy skirt that I mentioned, but also a silk/cashmere blend Bloomingdale’s sweater for $17.50. It also has Ferragamo shoes for $12 and nice furs for under $70.

GRAMERCY PARK

23rd Street between Lexington and Second avenues

This is my favorite neighborhood for well-priced vintage designer clothes.

I really like City Opera Thrift Shop (222 E. 23rd St., between Second and Third avenues; [212] 684-5344), which has an elegance that eludes other thrifts.

Maybe it’s the whole opera connection (there’s always great music playing in the background), or maybe it’s just that City Opera gets the city’s chicest donations, including vintage overstock from modern designers like Charles Chang-Lima and Betsey Johnson.

I recently got a very cool ’70s Giorgio Sant’Angelo dress for just 35 bucks. Fur fans will want to check out the shop’s selection of lightly damaged deluxe furs for $25 to $45.

On the same block as City Opera, there’s a Goodwill, which I’ve never found useful, and also a Salvation Army (212 E. 23rd St.; [212] 532-8115), where I’ve found some wonderful treasures. A few years back, I got an amazing gold sequined cape from the 1950s there for only $15! I’ve also bought leather skirts for under $20 and several nice pairs of Lee cords for under $10.

The largest city location of the Housing Works Thrift Shop chain, in the block between Third and Lexington avenues (157 E. 23rd St.; [212] 529-5955), is an absolute must-stop.

It’s a great-looking space, typically stocked with equally attractive clothes. I recently found a hot-pink Ungaro stretch dress from the ’80s for only $8, and in the past, I’ve unearthed 1950s circle skirts with crinolines for $20 and even a white boucle rhinestone-studded skirt and matching coat from the now-closed Bonwit Teller for $65.

CHELSEA

17th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues

It’s an odd shopping area, surrounded by warehouses, but you’ll find good deals at Angel Street Thrift Shop (118 W. 17th St.; [212] 229-0546), which has nice-looking stock at totally reasonable prices, including fab winter coats like a lightly worn camel-colored DKNY wrap coat and a fun selection of shoes (think teal green snakeskin pumps for about $12). And through Feb. 28, during Angel Street’s winter sale, shoppers get 50 percent off all clothing, shoes and accessories.

While you’re on the block, stop by the Housing Works Thrift Shop (136 W. 18th St.; [212] 366-0820). It may not be as consistently interesting as its sister shop on 23rd Street, but it always seem to have a sale going on, and it often gets designer donations from the likes of Cynthia Rowley and APC.