Melrose Avenue a haven of classic threads

Spotted everywhere on style blogs and occasionally on campus, their style provokes envy from other girls and draws a second look from guys: They’re girls who look impeccably unkempt, making a just-rolled-out-of-bed appearance seem put together.

Walking down Melrose Avenue, a haven of vintage stores, it becomes apparent that all of those “cool” girls flock to the same places to put together their one-of-a-kind outfits.

 

The most highly concentrated stretch of vintage and consignment stores in the city is located on and around Melrose between Fairfax and La Brea avenues. Many of the merchants are synonymous with Los Angeles style culture, having been around for decades. Ranging from shops that sell inexpensive local designer goods to famed retailers that sell gowns for thousands of dollars, there is more treasure hunting to be done in this mile-long stretch than one day allows.

Melrose is the perfect weekend vintage shopping destination. The street is usually filled with locals and tourists, who come to find great style, great food from mainstays like Pink’s Hot Dogs or food trucks parked along the curbs and, on a nice day, to enjoy a sunny stroll.

Any item of clothing made more than 20 years ago is considered vintage, and adding a piece or two of vintage clothing can spice up an entire outfit. It is possible to get a lot of “look” for a small amount of cash if you play the bargain hunting game with the right strategy. Vintage accessories, like a bright belt or turquoise jewelry, can be worn with modern clothing. The most successful vintage shoppers keep a mental picture of what they already own in the back of their minds, then browse the racks for a little addition, be it a vest, shorts or a piece of statement jewelry.

The perfect place to start looking for quality pieces is Jet Rag, a local favorite that feels distinctly West Coast with its rusted signage and wooden steps. Located on La Brea Avenue, just north of Melrose, Jet Rag offers an astonishing selection of boots, bags and button downs generally priced between $10 and $40. Some of the long coats can get a little pricy, but otherwise, Jet Rag’s well-merchandised racks are friendly to even the rookie vintage shopper. Vests in denim and suede are all placed together, as are leather skirts and cross-body bags. Men can choose from hundreds of solid, striped, check or chambray shirts in good condition.

On weekdays, Jet Rag is a serene store and good for browsing, but on Sundays, the store piles goods in the parking lot and prices each item at $1, bringing in waves of fashionable bargain hunters. This is the time to find T-shirts and jeans that can be cut, painted or dyed.

Within walking distance of Jet Rag, crafty inspiration abounds. Los Angeles’ artsy crowd flocks to the coffee shops and stores farther west on Melrose, sporting fedoras, fringe, dark nail polish and breezy hair. For the most part, the shoppers and coffee drinkers have a similar air about them, but it is their style nuances that add individuality.

These shoppers play muse to the photographers and designers who influence the product at mainstream retailers like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel, which occupy large spaces on the stretch of shops on Melrose. The stores’ aesthetics meet the vibe of the area, but after walking through racks of authentic vintage clothing, it is easy to see how the designs of the new clothes are inspired by their older counterparts. Soft, loose knits, leather goods and beaded tops are available at both new and vintage retailers, and the similarities are striking. Buying a new version of any of these pieces might feel cleaner, but the price is a major drawback.

A store whose style Urban Outfitters seems to be mimicking lately is SLOW, a vintage store that focuses on Western-inspired apparel and Native American influences, such as prints, beads and suede.

American Vintage has the same kind of look, but with more of a classic feel reminiscent of the ’70s. Its layout is much like that of Jet Rag’s, with wooden floors and a second-floor balcony. Scouring collections of clothes that date back to your parents’ college days and trying to decide what is relevant today can be stressful. But the experience shouldn’t be focused on analyzing every detail of a purchase. The important part is how you decide to wear it later on. Go with something in mind, but don’t be afraid to stray from the original plan. You never know when inspiration will strike.