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.

What I found in my search for accessories was that once you get out of Santee Alley, the store 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.

This is where I found the amazing shiny Barack Obama shirt.

More cheap accessories, including many adorable totes, most priced at something like 2 for $10.

I just turned 24, so I was wary of this place’s name, but it turns out it’s stocked with clothes most from Forever 21 and similar stores—only for way cheaper than you would pay there. It was probably my favorite find of the day.

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?