{"id":121139,"date":"2006-02-05T13:53:03","date_gmt":"2006-02-05T19:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebudgetfashionista.com\/wordpress\/?p=944"},"modified":"2025-05-15T12:05:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T18:05:34","slug":"los-angeles-shopping-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/los-angeles-shopping-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Shopping guide to los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

What’s not to love about L.A.? You\u2019ve got the beach, the sun, and the stars. Even traffic on HWY 10 is bearable when you\u2019re blasting Outkast in a convertible in February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping in L.A. is an endurance sport, because of the sheer distance between each point. In an effort to save gas and sanity, build your day around sections of the city. For example, if you know you are going to be in the Venice area, plan to do all of your shopping and activities in that area on the same day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save tourist traps like the Santa Monica promenade (which is nice in an outdoor mall sort of way) or Rodeo Drive (yeah, right), for after you have done your real shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The budget fashionista\u2019s los Angeles shopping tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Go to a sample sale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sample Sales<\/a> in LA are more shopping events than the down and dirty \nsample sale events in NYC. Most involve celebrities, drinks, and a \nkiller gift bag. For an overview of when these sale events usually take \nplace, visit my guide or head to sites like Sassy City Chicks, Billion Dollar Babes\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/g>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/clipPath>\r\n <\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/a>, Fashion Co-op, or Queen Bee Beverly Hills<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> to score an invite to their next sale event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rent a car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Public transportation sucks in L.A.. Spend a little extra money and score a convertible. Warning: Gas prices are out of this world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hit the discount boutiques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

L.A. is the land of the boutique. Here\u2019s some of my favorite ones.  Last Chance in Culver City where the owner gets her goods directly from the pricier Melrose and Rodeo boutiques. Lisa Kline, whose main Melrose store is a favorite of celebs like Nicole Ritchie and Lindsay Lohan, has an outlet store that has incredible designers at prices that normal people can afford. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last, but not least, is Rodeo Drive Resale<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> in Sherman Oaks, which sales both consignment and new designer fashions at a major discount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit Fred segal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nothing about this store is budget. However, it\u2019s an L.A. institution and you may find yourself looking through the racks with an A-list celebrity. FYI: Fred is no relation to Steven Seagal or the kid from \u201cThe Wonder Years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay away from the malls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember the movie \u201cValley Girl\u201d? If not, rent it – and see why we advise you to stay away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit a swap meet\/Flea market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several throughout the city. Visit the one on Lincoln Avenue in Venice; it\u2019s open every Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit the fidm scholarship store<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Support up-and-coming designers from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> and score white knit tanks for $1 and a wedding dress for under $50. Who knows? You might buy a dress from the next Vera Wang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress in layers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No, you\u2019re not going through menopause<\/a> at 28. You\u2019re experiencing the varying temperatures of L.A. Wear layers and drink an extra cup of soy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop loehmann’s in Beverly hills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skip Vegas\u2014 Loehmann\u2019s<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> in Beverly Hills is the best place to catch a fight on the West Coast. Watch Lycra-clad Barbies battle budding starlets for the last pair of discounted Seven jeans. To avoid death by Manolo, head to the store on a weekday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick up an L.A. Weekly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The L.A. alternative paper has the most comprehensive listing of activities in the area. Plus, it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay your taxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clothing. Eating Out. Water. Air. Everything is taxed in L.A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Angeles\u2019 top shop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last Chance Boutique in Culver City, 8712 Washington Blvd., 310-287-2333<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours: Monday-Friday 10-6, Sat 10-5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Chance Boutique is like a Melrose boutique, but cheap and in Culver City. Find designers like Vivienne Westwood and Prada at unbelievable prices. Owner Samira keeps this small store stocked to the brim with goodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More los Angeles information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n