Mustard Seed

Yearning for a pair of Seven Jeans but not willing to pay designer prices? Mustard Seed, a new and used clothing boutique in Bethesda may be the answer. The shop has made a name for itself for its affordable and stylish selection of second-hand clothing.

"I think our stuff reflects people's general wardrobe," says co-owner Derek Kennedy. He doesn't care about Calvin or Prada. "The most important thing is that the stuff is in current style," he adds.

You can find vintage, second-hand, and brand-spankin' new clothing all in one trip and get cash on the spot for clothes that you want to sell. They'll take any brand of stylish women's and men's casual clothing, no more than two years old. Levi's jeans are especially popular.

-- Lonnie Shekhtman

What you'll find: Co-owner Gayle Herrmann takes six trips a year to NYC to bring back the latest styles. Though it's the style, not the brands, that count, here are a few they carry: Zoom, Juno, Mavi, Survival, Free People, Lani, Dollhouse, Dickie's, Fashion Fuse.

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Lonnie Shekhtman is a recent college grad who is sick of people asking whether she’s found a job yet. Isn’t it depressing enough that she’s only able to afford Mocha Coconut Frappuccinos by scrounging for change in her couch cushions and the back seat of her car?

Photos by Gabe Cohen