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Permalink Reply by Lissie Bee on July 7, 2012 at 12:19pm

Hey Scarlet! I grew up in LA but I haven't lived there for 7 years, so my information might be a little outdated but I'll try to help you the best I can.  First, it would help to know what area of LA you're going to be visiting, 'cause let me tell you, LA is HUGE. Roughly about 20 times the size of Manhatten. But assuming you're going to visit the hollywood area.... There is (last time I checked) tons of vintage stores along Melrose Avenue. My favourite was Aardvarks but I think their Melrose Ave store closed and only the Redondo Beach store is left. Most of the Melrose area vintage stores were super expensive though, but I don't know your price range so you might have fun looking in them. While you're in the Hollywood area you can visit the What Katie Did store on Melrose. It wasn't there when I lived in LA and I've only orded WKD from the UK, but they are a higher end UK based retro / vintage repro lingerie shop. Lots of pretty things there. I love their stockings.

Also another favourite vintage store of mine is Iguana Vintage Clothing in Sherman Oaks. I've only been to the Sherman Oaks store but I think they have a Hollywood store too. The last time I went there was over ten years ago so I'm sure it's different now, but they had good stuff back then.

Hopefully someone who is currently living in the city can help too. And again it would help to know what area you're going to be visiting. With traffic, going from one end of LA to the other can take hours.. so I don't what to send you on a wild goose chase :)

Anyways, I'm sure your trip will be tons of fun. LUCKY GIRL for being able to visit the PUG Boutique! I'm sure it will be amazing!

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 8, 2012 at 7:11pm

Thank you SO much Lissie! Omg this info is a huge help! :) I definitely plan to check out the Melrose area and I am to check out What Katie Did and Iguana Vintage as well, so thanks for that recommendation. Thanks for the well wishes, I am looking forward to it :)

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Davis on July 7, 2012 at 3:01pm

In SF, there are funky little boutiques all over, but probably the best bang for your buck if you are just visiting is upper Haight (Haight/Ashbury).  This stretch runs the gamut from super-cheap, cute vintage to nice, high-dollar stuff from Victorian times to the 70's-80's.  I could list the stores, but if you just start at Ashbury and work your way West, then double back again, you'll hit them all.  There's even a Bettie Page store and a vintage lingerie store that also sells Rago.  Don't overlook the Goodwill.  I've found some cool vintage stuff in there too, including a couple of swing coats.

I've lived in SF probably 5-6 times (I move around and live in different cities for a few months at a time with my job).  Feel free to send me a message if you want more information, or if you get to SF and need help figuring out where to go.

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 8, 2012 at 7:14pm

Hi Kelly, thanks for your info as well. I only visited San Fran for a quick trip and I didn't get a chance to do any shopping, so I am looking forward to this. I like that there is a range of expensive to super cheap, so I will definitely check out the Ashbury area like you mentioned. And I agree, Goodwill has hidden treasures sometimes, so I will check it out as well. Thanks so much for taking time to reply!

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 8, 2012 at 9:04pm

Cupcake place?? Omg a girl after my own heart! I am going to spend some time on Burbank visiting the PUG Boutique and also attending Micheline's Makeup class, so I will be sure to hit up the other places on your list. Thanks sweetie!

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Permalink Reply by Kali Pappas on July 8, 2012 at 8:28pm

There are some cool shops on Haight Street in Ess Eff - BPC, Fluevog, and several nifty vintage clothing stores. There's also a rad gothic antique shop called "Loved to Death" that has random taxidermy, mourning jewelry, and other macabre oddities. It's worth a look. ;)

If you make it to Berkeley, Lacis is fun (Ashby & Adeline, right across the street from Ashby BART). Vintage jewelry and textiles for sale and on museum display, in addition to a great library of textile craft and fashion books!

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 8, 2012 at 9:06pm

Ohhh gothic antique shop? Sounds like a plan :) I will add your suggestions to my list! Yaaaaay this is going to be the best bday shopping trip ever. Thanks Kali!

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Permalink Reply by Kali Pappas on July 8, 2012 at 9:15pm

You are so welcome! Also, apologies to Kelly, whom I just noticed had mentioned The Haight above! xD

Have a great time and tell me what you end up seeing and buying! :D

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 10, 2012 at 9:37pm

Will do!

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 10, 2012 at 9:40pm

Caryn, I heard a lot about Third Street Promenade, but I couldn't remember the name! I just remembered that it was a famous promenade with shops, restaurants and performers...so thank you for refreshing my memory! There is actually a performer, Naia Kete, that I want to see perform. So I will definitely check it out. Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Dilemma on July 13, 2012 at 4:42am

I'm planning a trip to the States in December, and this is getting me even more excited! >_/p>

Has anyone got any suggestions for New York shopping?

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Permalink Reply by Scarlet Iris on July 14, 2012 at 8:06pm

As a New Yorker...I can definitely suggest some places...MANY many places. It is one of the shopping meccas and you can truly find anything and everything here. What kind of shopping are you planning? Vintage, modern, high-end, a bit of a mix?

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