The maxi dress was born in 1970s Los Angeles. So was the rock and roll t-shirt. A vast selection of both of these items as well as classics from other eras makes L.A. a playground for lovers of vintage clothing, accessories, furniture and household items. The influence of eclectic Angelenos and Hollywood style mavens – stylists, set directors, film costumers, actors and actresses – gives L.A. vintage a unique spin. Read on for a guide to L.A.’s best vintage, covering a mix of high-end shops as well as those more affordable to the average shopper.
Jet Rag
825 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 939-0528
Jet Rag is a funky and affordable emporium with a huge selection of guys’ and gals’ clothing from every era, with an emphasis on 1970s and ’80s fashion finds. This shop is best-known for its $1 Sundays, when starving actors and everyday Joes line up to sort through steals and deals in piles outside on the pavement.
Polkadots and Moonbeams
8637 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-3880
The name alone puts you in a good mood, as will the atmosphere in this pretty shop where you’re likely to run into an A-list actress. Part of the store is dedicated to designer jeans and other top-brand contemporary clothing and part to mid- to high-priced vintage fashions and accessories. It’s fun just to look at everything in this whimsical L.A. vintage classic.
Decades
8214 1/2 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 655-0223
This elite showroom isn’t for your average vintage shopper. Decades is a sleek and stark showpiece for vintage Dior and other couture fashions, with a separate store dedicated to shoes and accessories. Decades caters to an A-list clientele and serious vintage collectors.
The Way We Wore
334 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 937-0878
This beautiful store is more serious about vintage that its cutesy name implies. The Way We Wore is for shoppers with lots to spend, but is less intimidating in terms of style, service and merchandise than Decades. Check out the lovely website for a taste of what they offer.
Rehab Vintage
7609 Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 935-8438
If you’re into the industrial look for your home, check into Rehab. This store specializes in classic steel office furniture, industrial lighting, reclaimed wood furniture and other interesting materials and designs for the home.
Liz’s Antique Hardware
453 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-4403
Liz’s has drawers and drawers of original doorknobs, door pulls, windows fixtures and lighting circa 1860 to 1970. Spend a little or a lot on a range of vintage styles. This one-of-a-kind antique hardware store also carries new designs.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
1001 Rose Bowl Dr.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(323) 560-7469
This isn’t a store, but is instead one of L.A.’s largest and best-known flea markets with a wide-ranging selection of vintage furniture and clothing at prices you can haggle on. We bought an antique phone for our kitchen here that’s a real conversation piece. The flea market is held the second Sunday of every month.
