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LA's 38 Best Independent Boutiques, Fall 2013

By Natalie Alcala Nov 29, 2013, 10:00am PST

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Scout Melrose. Image via.

By Natalie Alcala Nov 29, 2013, 10:00am PST

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

While every day is a good day to support local businesses, tomorrow is extra awesome because it's Small Business Saturday, a movement that encourages shoppers to spend at mom and pops across the country. To help you get involved, we introduce our latest installment of Indie 38, a map to LA's very best independent shops.

Thanks to your feedback, we've added Silver Lake gent's shop Modern Nature and home décor go-to Garde. We've also included menswear haunt MRKT and Elle favorite Clare Vivier, who will be offering free monogramming with purchase from 1 to 4pm tomorrow. (Monograms are normally $50, so this is a pretty sweet deal!)

To make way for these additions, we've removed Spitfire Girl, Helen Ficalora, Beige and Gather. We've tried our best to cover all bases, but do let us know if we skipped your faves and we'll be sure to consider them in the next round.

Added November 29, 2013: Modern Nature, Garde, MRKT, Clare Vivier

Added May 20, 2013: Poketo, Dream Collective, The Well, Ooga Booga, Weekend Lovers, Buttons & Bows

· Introducing The Indie 38, AKA LA's Top Mom and Pops [Racked]
· LA's 38 Best Indie Boutiques for Your Local Shopping Fix [Racked]

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1. Clare Vivier

3339 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 665-2476

Visit Website

Home to colorful bags and stylish carry-ons, this Silver Lake gem is the must-stop of many LA tastemakers. Getting your bag or clutch monogrammed on-site is encouraged.

2. MRKT

3814 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 953-5134

Visit Website

As menswear blogger Tommy Lei explains, "What makes MRKT so special is owner Steve Villal's unique eye for the street-sophisticated menswear labels that are hard to find anywhere else." 'Nuff said. [Photo: MRKT]

Open in Google Maps

3. Scout

8021 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069

323-461-1530

Visit Website

Recently relocated to Melrose, this shop features impeccably selected vintage and an edgy house line of destroyed tees, cropped sweatshirts. Don't miss the jewelry selection, which includes architectural finds and chunky handmade necklaces.

4. Garde

7418 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 424-4667

Visit Website

This home furnishings and personal accessories haven is filled with items from stateside and global design stars. Merch highlights include LA's Building Block bags and Mr. Brainwash plates. (Did you know he does tableware now?) [Photo: Garde]

Open in Google Maps

5. Modern Nature

2395 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039

(323) 407-6046

Visit Website

Comfort is key at this Silver Lake menswear must. In addition to offering super-soft T-shirts and nylon athletic trunks with convenient pockets, the shop also carries THVM denim and Malin + Goetz skincare. [Photo: Modern Nature]

6. Buttons & Bows

548 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 622-0648

Visit Website

Buttons & Bows is part consignment shop, part vintage boutique. This means you'll find up-to-date pieces from brands like Tory Burch and 3.1 Phillip Lim as well as older designer items with a contemporary flair.

Open in Google Maps

7. Broome St. General Store

2912 Rowena Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

(323) 570-0405

Visit Website

Alongside Gimme! coffee and pastries, this cafe/boutique sells everything from Saint James striped shirts to Josie Maran face creams along with spices and hard-to-source condiments. Sounds strange, but somehow it all comes together beautifully.

8. Gentlemen's Breakfast

1101 Mohawk Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 306-6766

Visit Website

When your dude needs frames and LensCrafters won’t cut it, send him to the Echo Park spot that specializes in vintage eyeglasses, sunglasses, repairs and “various gentlemanly accessories.” He’ll see (get it?) what we mean.

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9. New Stone Age

8407 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 658-5969

Visit Website

A perfectly-curated collection of interesting and quirky gifts, accessories and home goods as unique as they are adorable. Careful though, you might find more than a few things you don't need but really, really want.

10. Mohawk General Store

4011 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029

(323) 669-1601

Visit Website

Wallets by Comme de Garcons, duds by A.P.C. and shoes by Rachel Comey are just a few reasons why this Eastside favorite continually makes "best of LA" shopping lists. Also available are mid-century furniture, records and totally unique jewelry.

11. Yolk

1626 Silver Lake Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 660-4315

Visit Website

The totally adorable Yolk is owned by a Scandinavian transplant who curates a colorful collection of gifts and tchkokes. With a tagline of “Free Range Design,” the tiny space is bursting with interesting international finds.

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12. Ron Herman

8100 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90048

(323) 651-4129

Visit Website

Ron and Carol Herman still run this expanding chain; the flagship takes up the majority of Fred Segal on Melrose (Carol is related to the original Fred Segal). L’Agence, Alexander Wang, J Brand and Maison Martin Margiela are stocked.

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13. Echo Park Independent Co-Op

1712 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 483-0260

Visit Website

The Echo Park Independent Co-Op’s mantra is simple: They support local, up-and-coming designers who live and work in Los Angeles. This translates to a selection of men’s and women’s clothes, shoes and accessories not really found elsewhere.

14. Brigade

510 West 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017

(213) 623-0013

Visit Website

One of the trailblazers of the DTLA shopping scene, Brigade carries lines not normally seen downtown including Alice + Olivia, Elizabeth and James, Haute Hippie and Current/Elliott.

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15. Confederacy

4661 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 913-3040

Visit Website

This popular celebrity-owned store has an impressive selection of men’s RTW and is the home of Rebecca Minkoff's womenswear and accessories. Note: It's also a great source for perfectly faded, super-soft vintage men's tees.

16. Maxfield

8825 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069

(310) 274-8800

Visit Website

So high-end that it almost resembles a gallery, Maxfield is frequented by tastemakers and big spenders alike (the Olsen twins are regulars). Shop a new and vintage selection of goods from Chanel, Rick Owens, plus plenty of intimidatingly-expensive Balmain. It's indie in the most luxurious way.

17. Hotel de Ville Vintage Eyewear

7422 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 634-9911

Visit Website

Three different outposts of this vintage eyewear shop—Westside, Eastside and Beverly Blvd—serve each community with collectible vintage glasses, contemporary European imports and custom styles.

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18. It's A Wrap!

3315 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 567-7366

Visit Website

Family owned and operated since 1981, It's A Wrap is where studios liquidate wardrobe and props, which are then turned over to the public, who can buy these near-new goods at a fraction of their retail price. There's an additional location in Beverly Hills.

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19. Lake

1618 Silver Lake Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 664-6522

Visit Website

Casual, well made and beautiful describes the clothing, jewelry, accessories and decor at Melissa Lovoy's Silver Lake boutique.

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20. Unique LA

3025 Airport Ave
Santa Monica, CA

Visit Website

While this is a pop-up, not a brick-and-mortar store, it's still as indie as it gets. As the name would suggest, Unique L.A. features goods from local artists and designers— 90% of goods come from right here in California. Learn more about the next event here, which is taking place December 7th and 8th at California Market Center.

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21. Polkadots & Moonbeams

8361 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 651-1746

Visit Website

With two sisters (the vintage shop is at 8381 W 3rd St and the modern shop moved to 8361 W 3rd St), Polkadots & Moonbeams has a pension for bright and funky clothing fit for adventurous dressers.

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22. deKor

2145 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 375-7627

Visit Website

A Swedish interior designer owns this Echo Park furniture store, which always has the coolest Scandinavian furniture, art and textiles.

Open in Google Maps

23. Posers

7419 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

(323) 653-4393

Visit Website

This unassuming shop is the promised land for those seeking British fashion from the likes of Fred Perry and Ben Sherman.

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24. Myrtle

2213 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 413-0004

Visit Website

The concept of this pink-walled boutique is simple: stock pretty clothes and accessories from lesser-known female designers. Shopkeep Whitney Bickers favors lines like Dusen Dusen, A Peace Treaty, Gretchen Jones and Gilda Grey. There's also a rack of carefully-edited vintage.

25. Douglas Fir

8311 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 651-5445

Visit Website

One of LA's best men's shops, it offers classic, tailored clothing from interesting labels both European and American, such as Hartford, Falke and Universal Works. Take note: There's a corresponding shoe store, DF Feet, located directly across the street.

26. Satine Boutique

8134 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 655-2142

Visit Website

A go-to among fashionable Angelenos and young starlets, this 3rd Street mainstay boasts high-end brands like Balenciaga, Carven, Isabel Marant and Alexander Wang, not to mention a killer in-house line.

27. Creatures of Comfort

7971 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

(323) 655-7855

Visit Website

CoC offers many beautiful things, among them Isabel Marant, Opening Ceremony, Repetto and LD Tuttle.

28. Roseark

1111 N. Crescent Heights Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046

(323) 822-3600

Visit Website

Bar none, Roseark offers the biggest and best selection of unique, edgy, extravagant baubles this city has to offer, including pieces from Jessica Winzelberg, Jennifer Meyer, Karma El Khalil, and their own Kathy Rose. The massive WeHo showroom features a fine art gallery in addition to precious jewels.

29. South Willard

8038 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 653-6153

Visit Website

Where some of the most impeccably dressed guys we know shop. A friendly, accessible atmosphere; a staff of supremely knowledgeable and patient fashionistos; and a selection that includes Band of Outsiders, Margaret Howell, and Gitman Vintage. Truly a one-stop lifestyle store.

30. TENOVERSIX

8425 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069

(323) 330-9355

Visit Website

Playful and fashion-forward clothes, shoes and accessories in a setting that's as artful and well-designed as the wares themselves. Brands include Alexander Wang, Vena Cava, and the store's own.

31. Madison

8745 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(310) 273-9900

Visit Website

This city-wide chain epitomizes California cool, with a wide variety of designers and merch from YSL shoes and jewelry to Elizabeth and James dresses and blouses to tees from Helmut Lang, Nation LTD, Three Dots and more. We're highlighting the Melrose location because of its sweet little bargain shopping annex where you can find crazy deals like shoes by YSL and Chloe for under $200.

32. BLACK MARKET

2023 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

(310) 966-1555

Visit Website

Jisook Lee describes his shop as a lifestyle boutique, and it indeed offers everything from street wear to designer wear to jewelry to decor to toys to art.

33. Guild

1335 1/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

(310) 396-8300

Visit Website

A haven for avant garde designers on Abbot Kinney, Guild has Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester, MMM and more for men and women.

Open in Google Maps

34. Dream Collective

1404 Micheltorena Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 660-2000

Visit Website

Opened since 2012, the boutique showcases owner Kathryn Bentley's two jewelry lines including her fine gems and her Dream Collective costume line. For quality, handmade pieces, this Silver Lake shop is worth swinging by.

35. Weekend Lovers

351 South La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 933-9032

Visit Website

From bold accessories to funky air plants, this cult-cool La Brea boutique hosts a mix of trendy, kitschy and classic pieces. It's also the setting for weekly movie nights, art exhibits and late-night shopping events.

Open in Google Maps

36. Poketo

820 E 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 537-0751

Visit Website

Tucked away in Downtown's Arts District, Poketo is the go-to destination for a variety of unique gifts. The husband-and-wife owned store features limited-edition vinyl artist wallets, adorable stationery and enchanting accessories.

Open in Google Maps

37. The Well

1006 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 550-4448

Visit Website

One of the most unique concepts around, this cool shop is also a hair and nail salon and an event space. The clothing and accessories run local, with pieces from Clover Canyon, Tovar and Again clothing, much of which is produced nearby.

38. Ooga Booga

943 N Broadway, Ste 203
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 617-1105

Visit Website

Part art shop, part bookshop, part clothing boutique, this teensy second floor Chinatown shop is stocked with super-hip (and sometimes odd) ephemera, 'zines, jewelry and clothes for men and women. For Boyle Heights folks, Ooga Booga recently open its second location at 356 S Mission Road.

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1. Clare Vivier

3339 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Home to colorful bags and stylish carry-ons, this Silver Lake gem is the must-stop of many LA tastemakers. Getting your bag or clutch monogrammed on-site is encouraged.

3339 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Visit Website

2. MRKT

3814 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

As menswear blogger Tommy Lei explains, "What makes MRKT so special is owner Steve Villal's unique eye for the street-sophisticated menswear labels that are hard to find anywhere else." 'Nuff said. [Photo: MRKT]

3814 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

3. Scout

8021 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Recently relocated to Melrose, this shop features impeccably selected vintage and an edgy house line of destroyed tees, cropped sweatshirts. Don't miss the jewelry selection, which includes architectural finds and chunky handmade necklaces.

8021 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Visit Website

4. Garde

7418 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

This home furnishings and personal accessories haven is filled with items from stateside and global design stars. Merch highlights include LA's Building Block bags and Mr. Brainwash plates. (Did you know he does tableware now?) [Photo: Garde]

7418 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

5. Modern Nature

2395 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Comfort is key at this Silver Lake menswear must. In addition to offering super-soft T-shirts and nylon athletic trunks with convenient pockets, the shop also carries THVM denim and Malin + Goetz skincare. [Photo: Modern Nature]

2395 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website

6. Buttons & Bows

548 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Buttons & Bows is part consignment shop, part vintage boutique. This means you'll find up-to-date pieces from brands like Tory Burch and 3.1 Phillip Lim as well as older designer items with a contemporary flair.

548 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

7. Broome St. General Store

2912 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Alongside Gimme! coffee and pastries, this cafe/boutique sells everything from Saint James striped shirts to Josie Maran face creams along with spices and hard-to-source condiments. Sounds strange, but somehow it all comes together beautifully.

2912 Rowena Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website

8. Gentlemen's Breakfast

1101 Mohawk Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026