Your indie shopping guide to LA

New York City may be regarded as the fashion capital of the US, but Los Angeles (LA) is definitely a shopping mecca too. With options ranging from flea markets to high-end shopping malls, the city’s retail scene promises to cater to a wide spectrum of tastes and budgets.

There are plenty of big-name boutiques around, but what better way to get a feel for a city’s character than by perusing the racks at its independent shops? Here are the top spots to check out, whether you’re looking for vintage fashion, streetwear, jewellery, or gifts to take home.  

Contemporary fashion

Just One Eye

In the heart of the Sycamore District, LA’s coolest new micro-neighbourhood, Just One Eye is a one-of-a-kind concept store featuring art, high-end fashion, home decor pieces, and more. Artworks from superstars like Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami hang on the walls, there’s furniture designed by Brad Pitt and clothing from the likes of Gucci, Prada, The Row and Celine alongside lesser-known brands such as OAMC and Julien David.

American Rag Cie

Featuring menswear, womenswear, and vintage garments, this cavernous store in La Brea has been a mainstay of LA’s shopping scene since 1984. With a focus on trendy brands that are hard to find elsewhere as well as pieces from local labels, American Rag Cie is a good place to expand your knowledge of indie designers. The store also sells sunglasses, trainers, homeware, and trinkets, making for a particularly enjoyable place to browse everything under one roof.

Mohawk General Store

Elegant yet laid-back, Mohawk General Store is a longtime favourite among shoppers in the hip Silver Lake neighbourhood. Men and women will find clothing, shoes, and accessories from designers like Dries Van Noten, Comme Des Garcons, and Jacquemus, not to mention pieces from the store’s very own line of utilitarian wardrobe essentials, Smock. While you’re here, check out the selection of candles, soaps, art books, rare magazines and other desirable goods.

Union

Since 1991, this La Brea store been influential in shaping LA’s menswear scene, specifically by breaking down the boundaries between high fashion and streetwear. Expect to find labels that sit between the two, including Bode, Awake NY, Jil Sander, Fear of God, Marni, and Raf Simons. In addition to carrying trainers from brands like Nike and Vans, Union sells its own in-house line of graphic t-shirts and hoodies as well as flannel shirts and knitted cardigans.

Wyeth

Having made a name for herself with the fashion, travel, and lifestyle site Damsel in Dior, influencer Jacey Duprie founded Wyeth in 2022 to serve as an antidote to fast fashion. The emphasis at this womenswear store, located at Culver City’s chic Platform shopping centre, is on longevity. As creative director, Duprie oversees the in-house label and sources pieces from other brands that meet her definition of timeless style, meaning you’re likely to find a selection of perfectly tailored shirts, cashmere jumpers, and other garments that are built to last.

Wittmore

With three outposts in the LA area, fashion-industry veteran Paul C. Witt has found a winning formula with his men’s shop, Wittmore , which stocks a mix of clothing, accessories, grooming supplies, and gifts from both established and up-and-coming brands. The selection here aligns well with the way many LA men dress: cool, casual, and comfortable, but with intention and a bit of refinement.  

Des Kohan

Before she opened her women’s boutique in 2005, Los Angeles native Desiree Kohan worked as a trend forecaster for Prada, Gucci, and Miu Miu. Unsurprisingly, she’s earned a cult following over the years. In 2021, she relocated her shop to a new gallery-like space in West Hollywood filled with vintage decor. One of the reasons Des Kohan has remained popular over time, aside from Kohan’s impeccable taste, is the fact that it aims for inclusivity with a wide range of prices and sizes.

Vintage fashion

LA has a fabulous vintage shopping scene which allows you to see that newer isn’t always better. For a high-end selection of gently used men’s and women’s clothing, local shoppers swear by Decades . Alternatively, head to Wasteland and The Way We Wore to score vintage finds that are less glitzy.

There’s more to vintage than just clothing. Retrospecs features a wide range of expertly restored eyewear produced between the 1890s and the 1980s, while Second Time Around Watch Company specialises in vintage watches made by Rolex, Cartier, and other luxury watchmakers.

Homeware and gifts

If your appetite for shopping still hasn’t been satisfied, consider visiting stores in and around LA that are known for their unique homeware and gifts. Broome Street General Store is a self-described “luxury convenience shop” where you’ll find goods sourced from around the world. Shop for candles, locally made ceramics, and much more at Midland , whose owners go out of their way to work with ethical brands. Made Solid sells all sorts of leather goods, while Burro and Poketo are reliable go-tos for a whimsical collection of toys, stationery, and more.