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LA's 10 Best Shops For Fashion on a Budget

By Danielle Directo-Meston
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By Danielle Directo-Meston

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It just so happens to be back-to-school prep month, a time when retailers are also clearing out summer merch for fall arrivals. While big box stores like H&M and Forever 21 offer fast fashion deals on the reg, there are also plenty of other options for budget-strapped shoppers looking to score a full look for under $100. (Let's not forget LA's vintage shops and outlet emporiums, too).

From Uniqlo's Japanese alternative to American Apparel's basics to Saks Off Fifth's newest label-filled mecca to a slew of trendy SoCal chainlets, we've rounded up 10 stellar stores for wallet-friendly fashion. If you're willing to share your secrets, feel free to chime in below in the comments.

Photo: William B. & Friends's West Third Street shop

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Brandy Melville

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The Italy-bred, Cali-inspired brand has won over tweens and T. Swift alike for its affordable, one-size-fits-all basics, which usually ring up at under $50 a pop. [Photo]
12200 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 308-7903
(818) 308-7903

KAITLYN: The Americana at Brand

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Find contemporary brands like BB Dakota, Jack One Teaspoon, Tularosa, and more alongside designer-inspired footwear, jewelry, and accessories at this trendy budget-friendly retailer's five LA and OC locations, including at the Americana at Brand, Westwood Village, and Westfield Topanga. [Photo]
889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 637-8982
(818) 637-8982

LF Outlet

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Bargain hunters no longer need to wait for LF's end-of-season blowouts: the trendy retailer now offers deals on the reg at its not-so-secret outlet store on Melrose. Price tags are never over $45 (but sizing is typically offered in size XS to medium) and the shop scores new merch every week.
7714 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Nordstrom Rack Burbank Empire Center

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The department store's overstock is sent to its chain of discount stores, where shoppers will find major markdowns on an array of designer and contemporary labels. The locations in Burbank's Empire Center (picutred) and at the Beverly Connection is a favorite among serious bargain shoppers who'll find discount stalwarts Ross and Marshalls just steps away. [Photo]
1601 N Victory Pl, Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 478-2930
(818) 478-2930

Saks Off Fifth: Beverly Connection

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The luxury department store's designer discount emporium is poised to give its Beverly Connection neighbor Nordstrom Rack a run for its money. Offering two floors of merch for women and men, the he recently-opened store promises 50 to 80% off brands like Rebecca Minkoff, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and much more.
100 N LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 658-6085
(323) 658-6085

Santee Alley

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Considered the go-to mecca of wallet-friendly shopping, DTLA's Santee Alley and its surrounding area is home to over 150 retail and wholesale vendors that often stock the same styles as Forever 21. The Fashion District destination is known for offering a range of legit and not-so-legal merch—beyond affordable clothing, footwear, and accessories for every style, there's everything from charming smartphone cases to knock-off bags and adorable (and unethically raised) baby bunnies and turtles. [Photo]
Santee St, Los Angeles, CA 90079
(310) 203-0101
(310) 203-0101

UNIQLO Beverly Center

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The Japanese retailer is already on our essential list for good reason: its minimalist silhouettes, affordable denim, and innovative fabrics—all affordably priced—make it the sleek (and fairly non-controversial) alternative to American Apparel. [Photo]
8500 Beverly Blvd #852, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(877) 486-4756
(877) 486-4756

Urban Outfitters Surplus

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Stock up on the retailer's staple labels like BDG denim, Silence and Noise, Kimchi and Blue, and others for up to 80% off at its massive surplus shop, which offers women's and men's apparel, footwear, and accessories in a low-key setting not far from its Studio City store.
14608 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

William B + friends

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Originally a wholesale basics brand found in department stores, the Cali-cool chainlet opened its fifth shop on West Third Street, where it offers an array of budget-friendly wardrobe essentials from its in-house line and contemporary labels like Audrey3+1 alongside footwear from Dolce Vita and sunnies from Quay.
8207 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Hardwear

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Nestled in quaint Larchmont Village, Hardwear offers everything from day-to-night dresses, boho-cool basics, lacy underpinnings, jewelry, and more budget-friendly items in an industrial-meets-shabby chic setting. [Photo]
152 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
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Brandy Melville

12200 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
The Italy-bred, Cali-inspired brand has won over tweens and T. Swift alike for its affordable, one-size-fits-all basics, which usually ring up at under $50 a pop. [Photo]
12200 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 308-7903
(818) 308-7903

KAITLYN: The Americana at Brand

889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
Find contemporary brands like BB Dakota, Jack One Teaspoon, Tularosa, and more alongside designer-inspired footwear, jewelry, and accessories at this trendy budget-friendly retailer's five LA and OC locations, including at the Americana at Brand, Westwood Village, and Westfield Topanga. [Photo]
889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 637-8982
(818) 637-8982

LF Outlet

7714 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Bargain hunters no longer need to wait for LF's end-of-season blowouts: the trendy retailer now offers deals on the reg at its not-so-secret outlet store on Melrose. Price tags are never over $45 (but sizing is typically offered in size XS to medium) and the shop scores new merch every week.
7714 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Nordstrom Rack Burbank Empire Center

1601 N Victory Pl, Burbank, CA 91502
The department store's overstock is sent to its chain of discount stores, where shoppers will find major markdowns on an array of designer and contemporary labels. The locations in Burbank's Empire Center (picutred) and at the Beverly Connection is a favorite among serious bargain shoppers who'll find discount stalwarts Ross and Marshalls just steps away. [Photo]
1601 N Victory Pl, Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 478-2930
(818) 478-2930

Saks Off Fifth: Beverly Connection

100 N LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
The luxury department store's designer discount emporium is poised to give its Beverly Connection neighbor Nordstrom Rack a run for its money. Offering two floors of merch for women and men, the he recently-opened store promises 50 to 80% off brands like Rebecca Minkoff, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and much more.
100 N LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 658-6085
(323) 658-6085

Santee Alley

Santee St, Los Angeles, CA 90079
Considered the go-to mecca of wallet-friendly shopping, DTLA's Santee Alley and its surrounding area is home to over 150 retail and wholesale vendors that often stock the same styles as Forever 21. The Fashion District destination is known for offering a range of legit and not-so-legal merch—beyond affordable clothing, footwear, and accessories for every style, there's everything from charming smartphone cases to knock-off bags and adorable (and unethically raised) baby bunnies and turtles. [Photo]
Santee St, Los Angeles, CA 90079
(310) 203-0101
(310) 203-0101

UNIQLO Beverly Center

8500 Beverly Blvd #852, Los Angeles, CA 90048
The Japanese retailer is already on our essential list for good reason: its minimalist silhouettes, affordable denim, and innovative fabrics—all affordably priced—make it the sleek (and fairly non-controversial) alternative to American Apparel. [Photo]
8500 Beverly Blvd #852, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(877) 486-4756
(877) 486-4756

Urban Outfitters Surplus

14608 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Stock up on the retailer's staple labels like BDG denim, Silence and Noise, Kimchi and Blue, and others for up to 80% off at its massive surplus shop, which offers women's and men's apparel, footwear, and accessories in a low-key setting not far from its Studio City store.
14608 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

William B + friends

8207 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Originally a wholesale basics brand found in department stores, the Cali-cool chainlet opened its fifth shop on West Third Street, where it offers an array of budget-friendly wardrobe essentials from its in-house line and contemporary labels like Audrey3+1 alongside footwear from Dolce Vita and sunnies from Quay.
8207 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Hardwear

152 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Nestled in quaint Larchmont Village, Hardwear offers everything from day-to-night dresses, boho-cool basics, lacy underpinnings, jewelry, and more budget-friendly items in an industrial-meets-shabby chic setting. [Photo]
152 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004