A few years ago, my cousin Emily lived in LA for the summer before her Junior year at Sarah Lawrence. We shared a room at my parent's place, so I got to know her style really well. Everyday she would tease her hair, curl it, do a perfect cat eye and some-color lip, then throw on a beautiful vintage dress. Wearing vintage clothing, or a mix of vintage and current pieces was, and still is, her style of dressing. She has such a definitive, unique look that I have always admired.
After graduating from Sarah Lawrence, she moved to LA to continue working for the same vintage store, which sadly has since closed, but her love for vintage hasn't wavered. She continues to shop at vintage stores across LA on a weekly basis, so I asked her if she could give me a list of her ten favorite places around LA to shop at! Here is her list with a description of each store in her own words.
{ one }
Location: Los Feliz Price Range: $$
One of the first things I look for in any neighborhood is what vintage is there. I love Los Feliz, and their vintage is no exception! Squaresville is great for selling, I'll usually lug bags of vintage I don't wear anymore and end up getting enough in credit to buy a pair of slip on pony-hair mules or play dress up in their mod hat and sunglass selection!
{ two }
Location: Burbank Price Range: $$-$$$
Playclothes, and the other vintage boutiques that line Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank are not for the vintage faint of heart. Playclothes is extensive but also masterfully curated. They have everything from baby clothes, mint condition shoes, to vintage inspired makeup by Bessame Cosmetics.
{ three }
Location: Artists and Fleas & Melrose Trading Post Price Range: $$
I first stumbled upon the adorable couple that makes up coast to coast vintage at the Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg, when i was a student at Sarah Lawrence. I had a cinderella moment with a pair of black Ferragamo flats. I was so, so happy when Coast to Coast headed west around the same time i did, so I visit them every few weeks at either the Melrose Trading Post or Artists and Fleas. There is always some brightly colored piece that catches my eye in their darling mobile shop! They also tag every item with where they found it, which makes it extra special. Follow them on instagram to see where they're headed near you @_coasttocoastvintage_
{ four }
Location: Silverlake Price Range: $$$
The owner of Flounce Vintage is a fellow Sarah Lawrence girl, and I did a brief stint working for her between jobs. She has such a great collection of true vintage from the 1920s-80s, but my favorite were the 1930s bias cut night gowns and collection of paper ephemera.
{ five }
Location: Topanga Canyon Price Range: $
Driving through the winding roads of the 27 through Topanga Canyon is like being transported back to 1970s Los Angeles in the best way. And Hidden Treasures will certainly help you look the part for a 1970s price too!
{ six }
Location: Mid-City Price Range: $$-$$$
Polka Dots and Moonbeams was an integral part of my vintage introduction to LA. My aunt would take me there on shopping trips when I would visit from Seattle, and it was like walking into a doll house of 1950s confections! Today I'll stop in for an event like a 1920s themed birthday or for a 50s day dress that I know will become a staple in my wardrobe.
{ seven }
Location: Silverlake Price Range: $$
Another great place to sell, I discovered Painted Bird at their San Francisco location a few years ago and was so happy when they opened just down Sunset from me in Silverlake! In fact its a little bit too easy these days to pop in and see what new goodies they have in stock. From rainbow Jeffrey Campbell wedges to a pink cotton crop top I recently picked up that reads "Here Comes Trouble!" You can also follow them on instagram @shoppainted_bird and if you see something you like simple comment "ring me!" followed by your last name.
{ eight }
Location: Little Tokyo Price Range: $$$
Raggedy Threads is Americana done to a T (literally because they have tons of hand picked paper thin tees), and you can also shop it on Etsy.
{ nine }
"an artist-run collective based out of Los Angeles, CA." Voyeur LA is a newfound discovery that is a little bit mysterious, and a lot of awesome. I have my eye on a few of their vintage pieces, which are priced super affordably and frequently check their "Diary" for new blog posts that range from Editorial to Cinematic.
{ ten }
Location: Highland park Price Range: $
Another great neighborhood spot, I always sneak into Possession after grabbing an iced Horchata con Espresso at Cafe De Leche. The owners are rad and knowledgable, its always nice to nerd out and "talk vintage," and they have everything from 70s suede to gorgeous 30s crepe dresses.
