(Credit: Hannah Ross)
An area known for its laid-back attitude and slightly rough edges,
it’s no surprise that a majority of
The essentials of Echo Park shopping
If you can’t take the vintage, get out of the Park
Tara Tyson, Special to Metromix
March 12, 2008Anti Market
3300 W. Sunset Blvd. , Los Angeles323-669-0014
Anti Market recently moved to Echo Park’s shabby chic rival, Silverlake, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped selling anarchy-inspired tees and punk cds, or offering service on anything with two wheels. In fact, they’re doing it even better now. (New neighbors to impress; you know how it is.)
California Select
2111 Sunset Blvd. , Echo ParkIf American Apparel’s monochromatic hot pants and hoodies are too one-note for the symphony that is your wardrobe, check out their sister store, California Select, a collection of the greatest hits of ’80s fashion. Kids’ retro vests, vintage swim cover-ups, and a selection of LPs turn innocent shopping into a trip back through time. They even slip in a few designer items, like Oscar de la Renta.
Flounce
1555 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles213-481-1975
If your glamorous grandma won’t let you raid her closet (hey, even grannies like to look good), Flounce Vintage may be the answer to your need for crocheted handbags and pillbox hats. The store fills its cozy and comfortable space with dresses, coats and shoes from the first half of the century at prices that have, unfortunately, been adjusted for inflation in the 21st. But don’t worry: That’s what sale racks are for.
The K9 Loft
2170 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles213-484-6006
Skull-and-crossbones body suits. Leashes in all shades of the rainbow. Intricately studded leather collars. No, it’s not your favorite WeHo S&M store, it’s doggie boutique/daycare/groomer K9 Loft. The store offers a variety of things for a fashionable Fido to wear and even sells an assortment of dog-themed gift cards, so there’s no excuse for him not to write you a thank you note this time for all his groovy new threads.
The Kids Are Alright
2201 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park213-413-4014
Part gift shop (Taschen books, unique housewares) and part clothing boutique (L.A. designers Maxine Dillon, Myth & Ritual, and Corey Lynn Calter figure prominently), The Kids Are Alright is the kind of place you can pick up a birthday gift, a card and an outfit to wear to the party, all in one fell swoop. Never plan ahead again.
Kohlman Quinn
2203 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles213-413-9900
The whimsical and bold furniture at Kohlman Quinn—yellow velvet couches, elegantly carved chaise lounges—is the kind of stuff the hip-swiveling femme fatale of a 1950s film noir might have draped herself upon as she explained why she couldn’t possibly have committed the crime in question. We mean this as a compliment.
Lemon Frog Shop
1202 Alvarado St. , Echo Park213-413-2143
Do yourself, your closet and everyone who has to look at you a favor and go, go, go to Lemon Frog. Having opened in late 2007 with the idea of providing something for everyone, the vintage boutique offers everything from impeccably maintained dresses to retro ties to groovy charm jewelry at prices so low we thought we were reading the tags wrong. And, as if selling inexpensive and beautiful clothes isn’t enough of a service to the world, it’s also recently become the home of Seraph Cosmetics, a line of organic beauty products.
Lucas
1541 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles213-250-7992
Intimate and inviting, this little salon offers a big menu of services, from haircuts to foot peels to oxygenations (your pores can’t breathe in this smog!). Treat yourself to your favorite Juan Juan and PureOlogy products after you get your new ’do.
Luxe de Ville
2157 Sunset Blvd. , Los Angeles,213-353-0135
Carrying both new and old items at prices that are hard to beat—we’re talking gorgeous retro sequined tops for under $50, people!—Luxe de Ville is a dream come true for the shopper who likes his or her clothes to have a spirit of fun. Case in point: a selection of cute, girly summer frocks made from your favorite ’80s-cartoon-character bedsheets. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to work Rainbow Brite into your wardrobe, this is your chance.
MediaNoche
1200 N. Alvarado St. , Los Angeles213-353-4995
A one-stop shop for cool porkpie hats, vintage dresses and hand-crafted housewares, MediaNoche’s low lighting, exposed brick walls and sleek paisley-upholstered couches give it a jazz club vibe without all the cigarette smoke and scatting, two things scientifically proven not to be conducive to shopping. Don’t miss the $15 scarf bin by the front door.
Ragg Mopp Vintage
3816 W. Sunset Blvd. , Los Angeles323-666-0550
OK, yes, technically, Ragg Mopp is a Silverlake shop—but since when does style truck with geography? With its oldies-but-goodies collection of colorful dresses, printed ties and feathery hats, it’s the sort of place to find a conversation piece for your wardrobe, if you like to converse about awesome fashion from the 19th and 20th centuries—which you should.
Sirens and Sailors
1104 Mohawk St. , Los Angeles213-483-5423
Open for over half a decade, Sirens and Sailors is practically an Echo Park institution, specializing in clothes by funky labels such as Dace and L.A.'s own Prospect 44 and vintage-looking desk accessories (think notebooks with cherubs). The store is located on a quiet street in a quaint, lavender-gated house, and the friendly staff will make you feel like you are just browsing through a friend’s walk-in closet. A really, really well-stocked walk-in closet.
