A Guide to Vintage Shops in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has been described as 27 suburbs acting as a city – one that has been rooted in the creative film and TV industries all contributing to the city’s expressive, one-of-a-kind style. To fuel the wardrobes of its fashion-inclined inhabitants, L.A is scattered with diverse thrifting opportunities for every style and budget. If you’re willing to do some sifting for the best price, head to a classic donation-based store like Goodwill, Out of the Closet or St. Vincent de Paul. Or try one of L.A.’s coveted flea markets like The Rose Bowl or Melrose Trading Post. For more curated finds, check out a vintage shop or dealer that’s already done the digging for you. Whether you’re hunting down a jacket crafted from a 1930s quilt or faded souvenir tees from the 90s, L.A.’s vintage scene has a little something for everyone. Here are a few of MOTHER’s favorites.
CARNY COUTURE
Founded by Brooke Bailey, Carny Couture in Santa Monica balances practical vintage basics with archival designer pieces — and there’s truly something for everyone. If your style leans Americana, dig through their vintage denim cutoffs and jackets, army liners and cargo pants or washed-out graphic tees. For something that makes more of a statement, try an acid wash duster jacket or a bell-sleeve lace top from the 80s.
SIREN VINTAGE
Bright, colorful and kitschy in all the right ways, Siren Vintage in DTLA was made for the pattern obsessed. The vintage dealer specializes in 20th-century vintage and archival designer pieces — from Moschino and Chanel to Halston and Yves Saint Laurent — in bold prints and unexpected silhouettes. Think patchwork bandana maxi skirts, paisley printed silk caftans, crochet ribbon jackets and floral-embellished 80s leather jackets.
THE WAY WE WORE
Doris Raymond has been curating the racks of The Way We Wore since 2004, but she does so with over 40 years of experience — and it shows. The expertly sourced La Brea store offers vintage clothing, accessories and jewelry from each decade of the 20th century, including haute couture, avant-garde and museum-quality pieces. If you’re a seasoned vintage collector or fascinated by clothing that has a story to tell, The Way We Wore is a must-shop in Los Angeles.
JUST SAY NATIVE
Inspired by historical prints and silhouettes, relics from travel and traditional Indian attire, Just Say Native embodies an easy-going bohemian energy with a well-traveled edge. Shop gauzy bias-cut caftans, woven jackets with bell sleeves or hand-crafted belts in their online store, where a curated collection of clothing and accessories is released on a weekly basis.
GOTTA HAVE IT
Nestled in the heart of Venice Beach, you already know this vintage shop is filled with surprises. Gotta Have It specializes in clothing, accessories and jewelry from the 80s and 90s that make a statement: vintage band and souvenir tees, embroidered varsity jackets, graphic athletic shorts and heavy-handed patches and bumper stickers — alongside a election of vintage magazines and out-of-print books.
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