Any girl with a true love for fashion knows what it feels like to wear the right pair of scrunched soft leather boots – or a vibrant tweed jacket with velvet details and big gold round buttons lining the front. (Amazing.)

What can make an outfit feel even more wonderful, though, is knowing that its purchase helped save an animal’s life or send an underserved student to college. Locally, a range of unique benefit shops make the hunt for an outfit that much more rewarding; the Weekly visited several and arranged such an ensemble for just $50:

Adriano Goldschmied light-washed denim jeans ($10)

Discovery Shops ooze energy and vibrant colors, mainly because of their interesting, passionate and almost entirely volunteer staff. Vintage flapper dresses, shawls from BCBG and items donated from boutiques like Rooms and Blooms, Bliss Boutique, and Head Over Heals all make their way into the shop. Shoes from Salvador Ferragamo, men’s suits from Burberry, Art Deco jewelry, vintage furs, and authentic Native American beaded necklaces have all been spotted, as well as purses and jeans from Coach and Lucky Brand Jeans. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. On the last Friday of every month, themes – like pirates or “Blast from the Past” at the P.G. store July 24-25 – assemble an array of great vintage in the context of a snack-and-refreshment reception.

Discovery Shop 198 County Club Gate Center, Pacific Grove, 372-0866 • 1534 N. Main St., Salinas, 443-8879

1990s Vintage cotton blazer ($14)

Dogs are welcome at the SPCA Benefit Shop, which is independently owned, gorgeously decorated and stacked with hidden fashion finds like funkily striped and zig-zagged cotton blazers, beautiful vintage gold-and-cream-sequined tops straight from a 1920s movie, and pieces donated from places like Girl Boy Girl. All proceeds go directly to the SPCA programs like pet adoptions, humane investigations, the SPCA Pet food bank and Hug-a-Pet, which brings pet companions to those in hospice and convalescent homes.

SPCA Benefit Shop 26364 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel, 624-4211

White 1950s Asian-inspired button-up lace top ($10)

YBR delivers an almost overwhelming selection of pretty much everything, all beautifully displayed – high-end antique jewelry, elegant vintage belts, scarves, colorful vintage flats and coats with labels like Ralph Lauren, Escada, Armani, St. John, Chanel, Burberry. The good YBR has done over the years is also impressive: It just marked its 20th anniversary and has donated more than $3.4 million to 321 agencies including Hospice Foundation, Women’s Rape Crisis Center and Suicide Prevention Services of the Central Coast.

Yellow Brick Road 26388 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel, 626-8480

1980s Vintage pink belt with gold buckle ($3)

At the AFRP Treasure Shop, the goodies include a plate full of little treats for accompanying pets. With beautiful jewelry and housewares near the front, the back of the shop showcases a great selection of clothing, not to mention a lineup of woven leather and patterned cotton belts, and bright geometric-patterned vintage scarves from $3 to $30. I spotted a funky yellow-and-black vest hanging among crochet sweaters and pychedelic-patterned ponchos, and cool blazers and flannels for men in the back. The Treasure Shop sells items by Armani, Versace, Liz Clayborn, and others. All proceeds help Animal Friends Rescue Project find permanent homes for stray, abandoned and abused dogs and cats who would otherwise be euthanized.

AFRP Treasure Shop 154 17th St., Pacific Grove, 333-0491

Designer pair of leather flats ($6)

From Calvin Klein and Cole Haan flats to unique vintage half heels to leather boots that parallel those sold at retailers like Urban Outfitters, Savers is well-heeled, but the selection of second hand, new and vintage dresses also stands out, with pieces straight from an Audrey Hepburn movie and bright red-and-black frocks lifted from the ’80s. All Savers stores benefit nonprofit organizations like HOPE and Parca, which help find rehabilitation for the disabled and the mentally ill.

Savers 1924 N. Main St., Salinas 444-9551

1940s Vintage white beaded clutch ($5)

Goodwill’s goods range from homeware, mirrors and clothing to vintage clutches, with old and new designer bags and purses that todays knockoffs only wish to mimic. Other finds include different kinds of hats, jewelry, jackets, polka-dot blazers and funky vests. And 84 percent of store revenues go to education, career services and other community programs that help get people off the street and into stable jobs.

Goodwill 571 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 649-6056 • 708 E. Alisal St., Salinas, 424-5346 • Sherwood Gardens, 1045 N. Main St., Salinas, 755-8668 • 726 Broadway Ave., Seaside, 394-1212

1970s Vintage Gold Cuff ($2)

Vintage jewelry always makes a statement. It can be found feathering the pages of Vogue, fashion/music magazine Nylon, and at the Salvation Army, which has great steals on gold cuffs, ’90s stud earrings, and long pendant style necklaces. Proceeds go to programs like disaster relief efforts, missing persons searches, Christmas charity drives and more.

Salvation Army 329 N. Main St., Salinas, 424-0889