Get high-end fashion for a fraction of the price at Rung

Rung Boutique is the newest resale shop to hit St. Louis, only this second-hand store is reselling for a reason. Located in Colonial  Square Plaza across the street from Hacienda Restaurant, Rung is a clothing store that sells new and gently used clothing, purses and accessories - with all proceeds from sales benefiting the Women’s Foundation. I spoke with GM Mallarie Zimmer, who said traffic has been steady. With just under 200 friends on Facebook in their first few weeks of launching, the folks at Rung are excited about all of the buzz.

What is the most expensive item that has passed through the racks of Rung? Will, a sales associate, ran to the back for a moment to pull a neon orange Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress and an Armani Black Label dress out from the back. Both dresses are being sold for under $500. That is the high end side of Rung's selection, but what caught my eye were the dressier business tops. From The Limited to Ann Taylor Loft and Neiman Marcus, these silk tops that would be great paired with a skirt for a business casual look. Tops range in price from $5-$15. Plus, these shirts looked like they had never been worn. The store has dresses, business suits, sweaters, pants, scarves and purses. Rung has a good selection of jewelry, with pieces from the S. King Collection and others. It also carries some name brand purses. If that weren't enough, Rung will soon be selling local art pieces in the store. Artists who sell wearable art or decorative art will be solicited soon to display their works on the store's walls.

Besides being the trendiest thing to hit the Rock Hill neighborhood in a while, Rung was build for a good cause. All of the proceeds go to the Women's Foundation of Greater St. Louis. The Women's Foundation is a national foundation that provides money and supplies to women’s homes across the nation. Money raised here will help women’s homes and organizations here. Owner and creator Ali Kindle comes from a long line of relatives in the non-for-profit business and has made it her goal to launch Rung and make it successful. She knows what she is doing and her staff has plenty of experience in the fashion retail biz.

How can you get involved? Bring your clothes into Rung and get a receipt - that way, you get a tax break. Unlike most resale shops around town, this is by donation only: cash or cotton. But it makes you feel good to hand off some of your old clothes or purchase new ones when you know it’s going to help other women in the area.