Here's a rundown of L.A.'s top shopping areas and spas -- from chic to cheap -- along with some highlights of each neighborhood to give you an idea of what you'll find there.
Lingerie Insider -- Panty Raid, a very charming boutique, carries brands for the serious lingerie collector such as Cosabella, Mary Green, and Felina, as well as Hanky Panky (cute lace tank tops and boy short sets), Betsey Johnson, T & C California, Eberjey, and Only Hearts. A selection of hosiery, socks, yoga outfits, loungewear, and gift items -- including candles, and bath and body products -- is also available. 2378 1/2 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles. tel. 323/668-1888.
Celebrity Cloned Clothing -- If your dream is to dress like your favorite celebrity who may have stepped right off the red carpet at one of Hollywood's numerous award shows, then a visit to A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz should be on your to-do list. As soon as one of these high-profile events is over (think Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Oscars), A.B.S. has already produced a knockoff version that is every bit as lovely, but much more affordable. 1533 Montana Ave. (at 15th St.); tel. 310/393-8770.
A Mecca For High-End Vintage -- If your style is more Hepburn than Hilton, you won't want to miss the treasure-trove of high-end vintage shopping L.A. has to offer. Doris Raymond's the Way We Wore, 334 S. La Brea Ave. (tel. 323/937-0878), is a favorite among celebs and stylists for vintage Chanel, Balenciaga, and Fortuny. Cameron Silver's Decades, 8214 1/2 Melrose Ave. (tel. 323/655-0223), is an L.A. institution, where you'll find frocks from Halston, Gucci, Lilly Pulitzer, and Missoni. Lily et Cie, 9044 Burton Way (tel. 310/724-5757), supplies many of the glamour gowns you see on the red carpet. Owner and vintage maven Rita Watnick has an impeccable collection of pieces from important designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and Trigere.
GR8 Finds in West L.A.'s J-Town
What started off as a magazine has spawned two of L.A.'s most talked-about stores -- Giant Robot, 2015 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/478-1819); and GR2, 2062 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/445-9276) -- and gr/eats restaurant, 2050 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/478-3242; www.gr-eats.com). Located across the street from each other in West L.A.'s Japantown (at Sawtelle and Olympic boulevards), both shops specialize in a wide range of Asian-American pop-culture items, including T-shirts, books, music, stationery, toys (you must get a Kubrick doll), art, and accessories (check out the Tadashi Murakami pins and felt pins by Saejean Oh). There are several other cool shops and restaurants along this 1 1/2-block stretch as well. One of my favorite stores is Happy Six, 2115 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/479-5363), which looks like Hello Kitty on acid and sells playful apparel and accessories for men and women. If you're hungry, my favorites along Sawtelle are Manpuku, 2125 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/473-0580); Sawtelle Kitchen, 2024 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/445-9288); and Hurry Curry, 2131 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/473-1640). Or you can pop into Nijiya Market, 2130 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/575-3300), and grab a bento (Japanese boxed lunch) to go.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard: L.A.'s Antithesis to Rodeo Drive
When you're finally fed up with the Rodeo Drive attitude and megamall conformity, it's time to drive to Venice and stroll the eclectic shops along Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This refreshingly anti-establishment stretch of street has the most diverse array of shops, galleries, and restaurants in Los Angeles. (Locals still cheer that there are no franchises in the neighborhood.) You can easily spend the entire afternoon here poring over vintage clothing, antique furniture, vintage Vespas, local art, and amusing gifts. For one-of-a-kind designed jewelry, check out Nagual, 1142 Abbott Kinney Blvd. (tel. 310/396-8500), whose "metals with an edge" designs have caught the eye of many a celebrity. Or if you're looking for a unique gift, you'll want to try Strange Invisible Perfumes, 1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (tel. 310/314-1505), where they can custom-make a scent to match your musk. Then there's Firefly, 1413 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (tel. 310/450-6288), a local favorite. It's that one store you can go into and find everything from great baby gifts, stationery, and books to quirky handbags and cool clothing. DNA Clothing Co., 411 Rose Ave. (tel. 310/399-0341), is the mother lode for those in search of the coolest, most current styles for men and women at great prices (stylists and costumers often use DNA as their resource for sitcoms to feature films). You'll find all your major brands as well as their own private label wear, and fresh stock arrives weekly. Take a break to eat at one of the boulevard's many restaurants, including Joe's (the best California cuisine in L.A.), Primitivo, Axe, Lilly's, Massimo's, Jin's Patisserie, French Market Café, and, of course, Hal's Bar & Grill, with its live jazz music. Heck, there are even 2 hours of free street parking.
