13 of LA's Best-Dressed Residents Offer the Ultimate Guide to Vintage Shopping in the City

Best Going-Out Look?

Little Shop in Echo Park. They will loan for events, and I love their clothes.

Most Splurge-Worthy Piece?

They’re always most expensive at curated places. Maybe Reformation Vintage. Their curation for shoes is really amazing.

Best Last-Minute Outfit Save?

Iguana Vintage. But you have to be in a fun mood.

Best Hidden Gem?

Not a hidden gem but slept on: Squaresville.

Best Shoe Section?

An estate sale. With a woman in your size. Unbeatable.

Cierra Johnson poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Cierra O’Day Johnson in a vintage Prada leather top, Prada leather skirt, and Christian Louboutin shoes.

Cierra O’day Johnson, model

Best Accessory?

I get most of my fabulous clip-on earrings, costume jewelry, and hats from Cannonball & Tilly. The last time I went in, the owner called me “the hat girl” because I inevitably end up trying on five to 10 hats from the top shelves every time I visit.

Best Going-Out Look?

Recess is my favorite shop when I want a standout piece without completely breaking the bank. They strike the perfect balance of having an incredible selection while still feeling thoughtfully curated. I always find something special. Most recently, I treated myself to a vintage Balenciaga dress.

Best Last-Minute Outfit Save?

Scout for many reasons, but most importantly because I live super close. If I’m suddenly itching for something special to wear that same day, I can just walk over. I also know so many girlfriends who stop there before a date or a birthday dinner to grab something great.

Best Spot to Bring Out-of-Towners To?

Ending Soon. The first time you go, it feels like a bit of a scavenger hunt (kind of in the middle of town—you ring a doorbell and walk up some stairs), but once you’re inside it’s incredibly chic and full of the friendliest people. I feel like there’s something for everyone there. Of course, I love taking people over to Telegrama for pancakes afterwards.

Best Basics?

RLT has the best basics, from cashmere sweaters to vintage Levi’s. It’s one of those places where you can always find a great wardrobe staple.

Karley Sciortino poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Karley Sciortino.

Karley Sciortino, writer and Substacker behind Hot Line

Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

Timeless Vixen. The owner, Lauren, is an incredibly gifted and knowledgeable vintage curator. This is definitely the place for specialty pieces—pristine gowns from the 1930s, rare Bob Mackie gowns, etc. It’s not a shocker that celebrities flock here for red carpet looks.

Best Last-Minute Outfit Save?

I’ve been going to Cherry Pick Vintage in Los Feliz for years. It’s the kind of place you can get a great vintage T-shirt or cute skirt for under $50, if you’re having an “I hate everything in my closet” meltdown.

Best Deep Dig Moment?

I’m a ride or die for the Pasadena Goodwill. I recently had a dinner party where a bunch of gays were screaming “OMG, where did you get this cunt bowl?!” and they were scandalized to hear I got it at the Goodwill for literally $1.

Best Hidden Gem?

Bridge Thrift in Eagle Rock. Looks like a run-of-the-mill thrift at first glance, but they’ve got a great selection of costume jewelry, cute home stuff, vintage plates, plant pots. Most of the knickknacks in my house are from here.

Best Shoe Section?

Passport Vintage in Highland Park is great for shoes and accessories. There’s also a shop puppy named Churro, which makes everything better.

Greg and Grace Chait pose for a family portrait — Greg Chait in a vintage button-up and jeans from Vintage on Hollywood and Grace Chait in a Spring/Summer 2000 John Galliano for Dior dress from WGACA.

Greg & Grace Chait

Designer of the Elder Statesman

Best Going-Out Look?

I’ve been going to What Goes Around Comes Around for as long as I’ve been buying clothes. One of the best things I ever found there is an all-white vintage Versace shirt that I still reach for on dressier occasions. Classic and very much of its era.

Best Deep-Dig Moment?

About eight years ago I found a “Deadagonia” Grateful Dead shirt at the Rose Bowl Flea Market that absolutely blew my mind.

Best Hidden Gem?

Vintage on Hollywood. Appointment-only and completely unreal. Brian is a true wealth of knowledge when it comes to vintage.

Best Sunglasses Section?

Retro Specs & Co.

Dani Miller poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Dani Miller.

Dani Miller, musician

Best Going-Out Look?

Bearded Beagle is my favorite for any cute outfits.

Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

A vintage dress from Worship Collective.

Best Last-Minute Outfit Save?

Basics from Out of the Closet.

Best Deep Dig Moment?

Sundays at Jet Rag—a classic dig.

Best Sunglasses Section?

Soft Humans in Highland Park.

Liz Goldwyn poses for a portrait — Liz Goldwyn.

Liz Goldwyn, writer and Substacker behind STARF*CKER

Best Going-Out Look / Best Accessory / Most Splurge-Worthy Piece / Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

That would all be Aralda on Beachwood—and bring your Platinum Amex. Or, this 1960s Balenciaga couture “Bubble” dress of mine online from Arcade Vintage.

Best Value-for-Money / Best Deep Dig Moment / Best Hidden Gem?

These have to be hitting a vintage fair—but going early and in the headspace to shop, not socialize. I love Pickwick, A Current Affair, and the Vintage Expo in San Francisco and LA.

Best Spot To Bring Out-of-Towners To?

I would bring them to a specialty auction at Julien’s. They are currently selling a selection of items from Gwyneth Paltrow, but often have great estate sales of dead celebrities or defunct costume departments.

Best Shoe Section?

My ex-husband made me stop buying seriously vintage shoes (like pre-1970) because my 1940s slippers and ’50s kitten mules were always breaking in the middle of the street in New York and it drove him crazy. Now I stick to barely worn and barely a decade old max from the RealReal.

Best Sunglasses Section?

Old Focals in Pasadena for new old stock (deadstock) vintage frames. They work with most of the film and TV wardrobe departments as well.

Joanna Kuchta poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Joanna Kuchta in a vintage tank and leather studded bag from Scout.

Joanna Kuchta, DJ

Best Going-Out Look?

Scout on Melrose. They have so many cool, rare pieces, lots of furs and leather jackets, and good shoes. Often pieces from Ann Demeulemeester, Chloé, and non-branded vintage finds that are just gold.

Best Accessory?

Little Shop on Sunset Boulevard. They have amazing vintage designer shoes and fun statement pieces. More colorful than the rest of my recommendations but great for an accessory piece.

Most Splurge-Worthy Piece?

Recess LA. They have amazing designer vintage pieces and some truly insane runway items. Everything is really well researched, and the staff know exactly which collection each piece is from—they can even show you photos of the original runway looks. I love going there when I’m looking for something special.

Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

Felt Showroom in Lincoln Heights (appointment-only). They have beautiful, minimalistic designer pieces that are just heaven. A lot of cool girls’s stylists often pull from here, like Gabbriette.

Harmony Tividad poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Harmony Tividad in a vintage fur, purse and shoes from Playclothes and a vintage bodysuit from eBay.

Harmony Tividad, musician

Best Going-Out Look?

Lidow Archive and Mint Condition Vintage has insane looks! I love antique swag, which Mint Condition has a lot of.

Best Accessory?

Playclothes in Burbank. They have so much endless, amazing vintage—some costumey stuff, some more classic. It’s the best place ever, across so many times and styles.

Most Splurge-Worthy Piece?

Replika! Their curation is crazy for really singular vintage designer pieces.

Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

Veronika Milanko’s booth at the Rose Bowl Flea Market #J22. It’s heavenly. Her designer selection is crazy. I’ve got two amazing vintage Chanel bags from her.

Best Deep Dig Moment?

Jet Rag Dollar Day Sundays—but also Jet Rag not on Sundays has so much insane stuff in their store. It’s one of my favorite places in LA, and I’ve been going to Dollar Day with my mom since I was like a baby, rolling around in the clothes and getting in trouble. Have found so much amazing stuff at Dollar Day over the years.

Avalon Lurks poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Avalon Lurks in a vintage Moschino top from Ending Soon and 1970s leather pants from Chrysanthemum Supernova.

Avalon Lurks, musician

Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

The mecca for mind-blowing, museum-worthy pieces used to be the Way We Wore. I worked there in 2022 and took for granted the sheer amount of incredible pieces I was being exposed to. Beyond designer archive, we’re talking pristine historic pieces from as far back as the 1600s. Learning from Doris Raymond was invaluable—she even had a show on the Smithsonian about her store and later held a Julien’s auction of over 400 pieces from her archive when she retired. If people couldn’t find what they were looking for at her store, she’d always recommend walking up the street to check out Golyester. Timeless Vixen on Beverly is also incredible.

Best Deep Dig Moment?

I respectfully can’t expose my spots… I will say, if you have a few hours to spare—maybe an entire day—and an adequate amount of caffeine or uppers in your system, the thrift stores in East LA and the downtown area are filled with good shit.

Best Hidden Gem?

Ending Soon, women’s. Love to Houman, Senya, and Baily. Absolutely top-tier taste level and curation. There’s not a bad piece in there and they carry both men and women.

Best Spot To Bring Out-of-Towners To?

I always bring people to my hometown, Orange. Specifically the Orange Circle, which I grew up two blocks from and is world-renowned for its antique malls and vintage culture. Elsewhere and Joyride Vintage are sister stores owned by the same couple (and at the men’s one they actually hand-make custom hats in the back). The Orange Antique Mall and the Antique Depot are musts, and I always stop by Matoska Trading to pick up sage bundles and herbs on my way out.

Jess Valice poses for a portrait in a vintage Gucci sweater — Jess Valice in a vintage Gucci sweater.

Jess Valice, artist

Best Going-Out Look?

Felt Showroom and Timeless Vixen.

Most Splurge-Worthy Piece?

Taste Studio.

Best Hidden Gem?

Something Special Vintage.

Best Sunglasses Section?

Lucky Pig Vintage in Atwater Village.

Best Shoe Section?

Wasteland on Melrose. Sorry.

Jamie Haller poses for a portrait in a vintage look — Jamie Haller wears a vintage fur hat and a Burberry trench coat.

Jamie Haller, designer of Jamie Haller

Most Gasp-Worthy Grail?

Soft Humans and Wilder. I’m a jeans with a tee or sweatshirt kind of girl, so finding the perfect pair of vintage Levi’s or a worn-in vintage tee is the best. You can find some of the rarest concert tees and denim at either store. They are both on the pricier side, but great if you don’t have time to go digging. They’ve already found it for you.

Best Last-Minute Outfit Save?

Staklena Kuca is fun. Fashion should be fun. I find it’s the place I gravitate to after I’ve been searching all day for something extra cool to wear.

Best Deep Dig Moment?

The bins at Goodwill in Glassell Park. Come mentally prepared, as this place can get crazy and digging is an understatement. However, you can find vintage and designer items for pennies per pound. My daughter loves it! It’s like treasure hunting.

Best Hidden Gem?

Savers in Arcadia. I struggled with giving this one away. It’s my secret. The men’s section is where I find a lot of my inspiration. Great colors, stripes, boxy shapes, and, of course, a great price so you can stock up.

Best Value for Money?

The Bearded Beagle. Perceived value is important. I find this store has a good variety of clothing and accessories that are worth their asking price. Most of their designer vintage items are priced fairly and well under their competition.