.jpg "Susie"){kind=small}
.jpg "Fashion Events in Seattle")
.jpg "Fashion 101 in the 206")
.jpg "My Fall Wish List")
.jpg "Looking Your Best in the Valley")
.jpg "GillianS")
.jpg "Papercuts and Pickup Lines: A Guide to Los Angeles Bookstores")
.jpg "A Los Angeles Speakeasy Is...")
.jpg "Los Angeles Landmarks for Locals")
.jpg "$45 Microdermabrasion + Mini Facial in North Atlanta, GA/ Effie Salon and spa")
.jpg "Eyebrow Threading in Kennesaw, GA / Effie Salon and Spa")
.jpg "24 Hour Rego Park Locksmith 718-504-1455 Master Key Installation & Cutting")
.jpg "Locksmith Sheepshead Bay 718-412-2005 All Security Systems Install Repair/ Sell")
.jpg "Failbook")
.jpg "Awkward Family Portraits will make you say \"WTF?\"")
.jpg "Insane Celebrity Portrait Tattoos")
.jpg "21 Best Mugshots Evar")
SPONSORED LISTINGS
Fashionably Insane: A Day in L.A.'s Fashion District
- by gillians
- -
- August 25, 2009
(2)
- 1 discussion
- |
- 2 comments
- -
- expand all
.jpg)
I've never been accused of being a fashion plate as I'm comfortable in jeans and flats in the vast majority of settings. However, the need to find a good bargain was something that was planted and blossomed within me at a very young age. Combine that with the fact that I've been nursing a pretty severe addiction to cheap accessories since the first time I walked into a Forever 21 a few months back, and the Fashion District is just where you would have found me on a sweltering and gorgeous Saturday. I'd never ventured there before, but you can bet all the 3" hoops in Downtown that the next time I find my checking account in the black, I'll be back.
Santee Alley
Santee St. and 12th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
You’ll find Santee Alley, what most consider to be the main attraction of the Fashion District, between Santee and Maple at 12th St. It spans a few blocks and is jam-packed with stores and bargain-hunters. There are more upscale shops that actually have fixtures and dressing rooms – but you’ll pay for these conveniences. You’ll find the more unique (and cheaper) stuff at the other booths.
Fashion District
The Fashion District has its own website that serves as a great introduction for the new shopper. It makes it seem a lot less intimidating than it actually is once you get there.
Transportation
With all the foot and car traffic in this area, I highly recommend taking public transportation. I hoofed the mile and a half from the 7th and Metro Red Line station, but just because I have an unreasonable aversion to the DASH. Get yourself downtown and you can take the D or E DASH right to Santee Alley. It’s only a quarter.
Aaccessories
1042 Santee Alley Los Angeles, CA
Everything that you ever wanted that was sparkly or dangly is in here. For $.99. I don’t know how the “$1 Jewelry” booth across the alley stays in business.
The extra “a” is for “awesomely cheap.”
Terrifying Fashion Discovery
While in the Fashion District, I discovered what is possible the most extreme violation of all that is fashionable, stylish and reasonable that I have ever witnessed. Worse than leg warmers, acid wash and feathered hair combined. You may want to sit down before reading this. In more than one booth (many, many booths, actually) there were leggings (OK, I’m OK with leggings. They are pretty comfy.) that were printed on AS IF THEY WERE JEANS. Please direct your attention to the following photos for evidence of this travesty:
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Jewelry $.99 3x10
406 E. 12th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
What I found in my search for accessories was that once you get out of Santee Alley, the stores have a lot more unique and cute stuff. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re going to a Junior Prom and need some dangly pink crystal chandelier earrings, then Santee Alley is definitely your best bet. But once you get off of that strip and onto the surrounding streets, you’ll find stuff that is just as cheap and the tiniest bit more sophisticated. But still sparkly. I liked this store that I found on 12th.
Rose Watch & Hand Bags
401 E. 12th St. #4 Los Angeles, CA 90015
This is where I found the amazing shiny Barack Obama shirt.
The only politically motivated t-shirts I saw in all of the fashion district were Barack Obama shirts. I think this makes it pretty obvious which candidate is going to be better for the economy.
Diana Fashion Inc
421 E 12th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
I don’t know who “Diana” is, but she has the market cornered on storefronts in the fashion district. “Karen” is a close second.
I don’t know who “Diana” is, but she has the market cornered on storefronts in the fashion district. “Karen” is a close second.
Faux Pass
Fruit!
I got hungry and was about to cave in and have a fragrant and greasy hotdog when I saw a fruit stand. I never knew how much fresh fruit (with a light sprinkling of chili powder) could improve one’s mood and readiness to shopping. They should think about replacing the Orange Julius’ in malls with Mexican fruit stands.
Vocab Lesson!
I took AP Spanish, so as far as I could tell “Pasale” means “For the love of god, come inside and buy something! It’s totally cheap, I swear!”
Bossini
423 E. 12th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
More cheap accessories, including many adorable totes, most priced at something like 2 for $10.
Hamid Gallery
400 E 12th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
This “gallery” has all kind of cheap prints on large canvases, so you can stock up on naked lady paintings and portraits of the Virgin Mary for your new apartment.
This “gallery” has all kind of cheap prints on large canvases, so you can stock up on naked lady paintings and portraits of the Virgin Mary for your new apartment.
Marilyn? or Mary? Why not both?
Forever 26
1139 S. Santee St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
I just turned 24, so I was wary of this place’s name, but it turns out it’s stocked with clothes mostly from Forever 21 and similar stores — only for way cheaper than you would pay there. It was probably my favorite find of the day.
The Mannequins
I don’t know where the Fashion District gets its mannequins, but they are extremely well-endowed in the booty area.
Vitamins of dubious origin or eyebrow grooming of dubious quality? At Santee Alley, you’ll never have to make those tough choices.
He’s gonna do what to my eyebrows?
Maple Alley Fashion Center
Maple and 11th Los Angeles, CA 90015
Hot Fix
1015 Crocker St. Los Angeles, CA 90021
This storefront that is in the area of the Fabric District that I like to call (as of today) “Bedazzler’s Row” will create anything you want in rhinestones. I guess this is a good thing?
Guides We Think You'll Like
- |
- |
- |
- |
- share this
.jpg "Chelsea")
-
Wow, that Obama shirt is certainly blinging.
Add Our Widget To Your Site
.jpg)
Discussions