Besides having some of the best restaurants in the country (you can see my favorites in my first installment
), L.A. offers a diverse shopping experience that is unlike any other city. Whether you want to hit up Rodeo Drive for uber expensive designer goods or head down to Venice for cheap trinkets, there’s something for everyone (and every budget). Here are some of my favorite haunts and the reasons why they’re so great.
– This boutique on 3rd Street is always packed with easy-to-wear dresses, drapy tops and a great selection of pretty, flat sandals. Despite their impressive list of designer clothing (Derek Lam, Elizabeth & James, Loeffler Randall), you can always find affordable pieces mixed in throughout.
– Housed in what used to be Charlie Chaplin’s old dance studio, this massive (as in I got lost during my first visit) store stocks all the current “it” pieces that every girl dreams of owning (think Acne wedges, Topshop pants and Alexander Wang tissue thin tops). The wooden floors, creaky stairs and long hallways all add to its appeal and their legendary sales shouldn’t be missed.
– If you’re after that beachy, California-girl vibe, this place has you covered. Everything from their long, bohemian dresses and distressed jeans to their cult favorite fragrances and bikinis is impeccably chic and understated. Bonus: Depending on where you’re staying, you’re sure to be close to one of their seven locations.
– This is one of those stores from which you’d be happy to buy all of your clothes and never worry about getting bored. Everything from their Minnie Rose sweaters and Marc Jacobs blouses to their LnA leggings and Sam Edelman sandals is stylish with that fabulous just-threw-it-together-as-I-ran-out-the-door feel.
– I admittedly hadn’t heard of a majority of the designers in this Beverly Hills boutique, but managed to familiarize myself quite quickly. New favorites include Nanushka (could
top be any cooler?), Dallin Chase and Mabel for their intricate detailing and girly appeal.
