Over the years, Los Angeles has established itself as one of the world’s vintage capitals. More than just a lifestyle, vintage fashion has become a cultural pillar. From Melrose Avenue to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and the East Side, vintage is now everywhere.

From the first stores opened in the mid-1990s, which are still in business today, to private showrooms and apartments available by appointment, Los Angeles vintage experts reflect the entire history of American and international fashion, the creativity of its designers, and the influence of Hollywood stars. Here are 13 places that each tell a unique vintage story.

The Way We Wore 

This is one of Los Angeles’s vintage temples. After 20 years spent on Beverly Boulevard, The Way We Wore has moved and transformed into a  showroom open by appointment only. At its helm is Doris Raymond, originally from Long Island, who opened her first vintage boutique in San Francisco in 1981 before moving to Los Angeles in 2001. Three years later, her La Brea Avenue boutique was recognized as one of the best addresses in the country.

A reference for Hollywood studios and a source for costume designers, stylists, designers, collectors, and artists, Raymond’s collection is one of the most extensive in California. In addition to historical pieces from the late 19th century to the 1930s and 1940s, the collection includes evening gowns and cocktail dresses from major luxury fashion houses such as Chanel, Fendi, Chloé, Roberto Cavalli, Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Nina Ricci, and Paco Rabanne, covering the period from the 1950s to the 2000s.

With an almost museum-like approach, Raymond takes great care of each garment, preserving them, as well as her collection brought back from her travels around the world, mainly from Mexico, Iran, and China. The sale in 2022 of part of her archives to Julien Auction’s brought to light more than 400 fashion treasures by Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Versace, confirming the unique status of the designer nicknamed the “fairy godmother of fashion inspiration.” 

Open by appointment only, The Way We Wore showroom continues to attract the entire fashion world, from stylists such as Jared Ellner, chief stylist for Sabrina Carpenter, to artistic directors Nicolas Ghesquière, John Galliano, Olivier Rousteing, and Hollywood actresses, including Busy Philipps, among other loyal customers. Here you can find a pair of Gucci pumps in perfect condition for $295. Clothing prices start at $500.

8057 Beverly Blvd Suite 200, West Hollywood. 

Ressurection 

Another vintage legend, Ressurection was founded in 1996 in Los Angeles, two years after opening its first store in New York, which closed during the 2020 pandemic. Founders, Kathryn McLaughlin and Mark Haddawy, true pioneers of vintage in the United States, had a radical vision for the time: to treat vintage clothing as a work of art, with the same respect as contemporary haute couture. 

Resurrection played a key role in the recognition of vintage as luxury and contributed to the rise of fashion collecting. Today, it brings together rare and iconic pieces from the 20th century with a focus on clothing from the 1960s to 2010 by Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Helmut Lang, Mugler, Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Prada, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Starting prices begin at $450. 

The collection attracts stylists and celebrities from the red carpet, the press, and the cinema, glamorizing stars such as Katy Perry, Hailey Bieber, Tate McRae, and Kim Kardashian. Its showroom, now invisible from Melrose Avenue, is open by appointment only and, thanks to its Resurrection Rental Archive, allows you to rent statement and avant-garde pieces from renowned American, European, and Japanese fashion houses and designers by the day, month, or week.  

8006 Melrose Avenue.

Aralda Vintage

In the Hollywood Hills, in Beachwood Canyon, next to the Beachwood coffee shop, Aralda Vintage has made a name for itself as one of the best vintage shops in Los Angeles. A hidden gem, it boasts stunning orange décor and an atmosphere reminiscent of a cabinet of curiosities or an ultra-stylish dressing room, with antique consoles and desks, vintage floral sofas, decorative objects, old clocks, and issues of The Face, I.D., and Vogue adorning the walls. 

Adored by stylists and costume designers, Aralda is brimming with pieces from the collections of the biggest names in fashion, from Valentino to Alexander McQueen, Prada, Mugler, and Dolce & Gabbana, mixing maximalist and minimalist pieces from the 1970s to the 2000s. Recently spotted on its racks were a gold and black baroque dress by Gianni Versace from Fall/Winter 1991, the Thierry Mugler haute couture dress from Fall/Winter 1992 called “Glamour Punk”, and a black and gold dress by Yves Saint Laurent “Rive Gauche” from Fall 1986.

Created by Brynn Jones, a former model from Portland who became an avid vintage hunter, Aralda Vintage’s curation can now be found on every red carpet and dresses the biggest stars, from Jennifer Aniston to Ariana Grande, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Liza Minelli seen in the Fall issue of Interview magazine. 

2691 Beachwood Drive, Hollywood.

Recess 

This is one of La Brea Avenue’s fashion landmark stores. Opened in 2013 by Marie Monsod, Recess mixes pieces from major luxury brands with a wide selection of red carpet outfits from the 1940s to today, from Valentino, Chanel, Thierry Mugler, Dior, Balmain, Pucci, Gucci, and independent designers. It also offers a selection of jewelry, accessories, tableware, and home décor items in Art Deco and Hollywood Regency styles. 

Opened at the end of November, the third Recess boutique – a second opened at The Shops in Palm Springs in 2024 — has landed in Beverly Hills. Although smaller in size, the decor echoes the Hollywood Regency influence with its large marble counter, pink terrazzo floor, fitting rooms with purple velvet curtains, and patterned wallpaper. The racks display a wide selection of evening dresses, a corner dedicated to vintage Hermès scarves, and several display cases devoted to antique jewelry. The selection is independent from that of La Brea. The price range is wide and accessible, from a Geoffrey Beene lace top at $225 to a Pucci dress at $1,295.

All Los Angeles stylists know the boutique, including Law Roach and Bradley Kenneth, who dress many Hollywood stars.  

111 North La Brea Avenue, La Brea et 220 N Canon Drive. 

Timeless Vixen 

Another iconic boutique, Timeless Vixen was founded by Lauren Lepire, initially as an online store, and since 2017 on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. A vintage enthusiast since her teenage years, selling items on eBay from her dorm room at the University of Southern California, Lepire quickly grew her online hobby into a reputable business.

In her boutique-showroom with wooden and gold racks, her curated collection spans all decades, with rare creations ranging from the 1920s to the end of the 20th century, including haute couture and iconic pieces by regular designers such as Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Emanuel Ungaro, Yohji Yamamoto, and Tom Ford. Recently spotted were a very Hollywood glamorous Ralph Lauren dress from Fall/Winter 2014, a sumptuous ivory silk chiffon creation by Angelo Tarlazzi from 1990, and a cape worn by Yma Sumac, a Peruvian soprano who became the queen of exotica music. For a red carpet dress, expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $22,000 for a 1950s Carven haute couture dress.

In keeping with the brand’s originality, almost all of the dresses are tried on by Lepire and her team and can be seen on the boutique’s Instagram account. These dresses can be seen on all the biggest celebrities, including Courtney Love, Kate Moss and Ariana Grande, and in a number of Hollywood productions. Lepire also recently collaborated with Alexander McQueen, lending several pieces to the “House of McQueen” exhibition at the end of 2025.

1100 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills

Arcade at the Row DTLA

In November 2022, vintage fashion enthusiast and collector of rare and historic pieces Richard Wainwright opened his first permanent vintage boutique at Row DTLA in the Arts District. This was a new development for the co-creator of A Current Affair, a pop-up market bringing together dozens of vendors specializing in vintage clothing, accessories, and pieces in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, which has become a popular destination for fashion lovers, stylists, designers, and celebrities.
 
Already open in Brooklyn in 2018 (now closed), the Arcade boutique presents a rotating selection of rare pieces from a network of vintage dealers across the United States. Dedicated exclusively to women, Arcade’s wardrobe offers pieces in perfect condition from major luxury houses, including Versace, Oscar de la Renta, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel bags, and Louis Vuitton, all presented in an art gallery setting. Here, a Jean Paul Gaultier dress is sold for $300 and a Celine dress in June and leather for $998.

A must-see event taken over a few years ago by Richard Wainwright, Pickwick Vintage market brings together la crème de la crème of the vintage crop once a month in the aisles of Row DTLA, with stands specializing in accessories, jewelry, and women’s and men’s fashion. 

777 S Alameda St, Row DTLA. 

American Rag

Mark Werts founded American Rag in the 1980s on La Brea Avenue with the idea of importing vintage European clothing and offering a unique selection of contemporary pieces, with a wide choice of denim, creating a shopping experience unlike anything else in L.A. at the time. 

Forty-five years later, the concept has remained virtually unchanged. Still located on La Brea Avenue, now neighboring with streetwear flagship stores Union, Stüssy, Carhartt, Y3, and Saturday’s Football, American Vintage remains a go-to destination for Los Angeles stylists, fashion creatives visiting LA, agent and celebrities as Jennifer Lopez, Dakota Johnson, Ashlee Simpson, and Cindy Crawford. 

Organized around three large spaces, American Rag’s central room features affordable contemporary international brands for men and women, from Cmmn Swdn to Drôle de Monsieur, Paige, and Malbon Golf. On the right, the Vintage space, displayed on a neon sign, presents thousands of items, with a wide selection of denim, shirts, accessories, and a selection entitled Collectible, listing rare items, mainly from the 1940s to the 1970s, which are highly sought after by collectors. Prices can range from $40 for a shirt to $500 or $1,000 for so-called “Collectible” items. 

Formerly occupied by a restaurant, the third space, Maison Midi, displays a selection of decorative items and tableware. 

150 S La Brea Avenue. 

Scout

Opened in 2003 on West Third Street and relocated to Melrose Avenue in 2013, Scout is known for its selection of vintage fashion from the 1970s to the 1990s, most of which comes from European and Japanese designer collections. These minimalist, often timeless, avant-garde pieces with a distinct rock vibe have attracted a clientele of artists, musicians, stylists, and celebrities since the store’s inception.

Co-founder and co-curator of the A Current Affair vintage market in 2010, which is still very popular in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Joey Grana offers a curated selection of brands including Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Dries Van Noten, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. Added to this are denim brands and other more artisanal labels. 

An identity that appeals to all of Hollywood. Among the store’s loyal customers are designers Isabel Marant, Kelly Wearstler, Humberto Leon, Sophie Buhai, and design director Flavie Webster. 

Here, you can walk away with a top for $150 or a designer piece for over $1,000.

8021 Melrose Avenue.

Vintage On Hollywood

Originally from Westchester County north of New York City, Brian Cohen has been collecting vintage items since his teenage years, with a particular fondness for post-war fashion from the 1940s and 1950s. He developed this passion alongside his mentor, Bobby Garnett, known as Bobby from Boston, who ran a legendary vintage shop in Boston for over four decades and was one of the first dealers to travel overseas to find and bring back vintage treasures. Arriving in Los Angeles in 2000, Cohen finally opened his first boutique in 2016 in the Los Feliz neighborhood and immediately found an audience of musicians, designers, and Hollywood productions. 

His boutique offers a wide selection of pieces from the 1940s to the 1990s, all handpicked by Cohen. Garments that make a wow effect, with bold prints or handmade, ranging from Americana to hippie, rockabilly, pop art… And a strong taste for Hawaiian shirts, of which Cohen probably has the largest collection in the world.

These outfits can be seen on big stars such as Johnny Depp, singer LP, Leon Bridges, and Pharrell Williams. Here, you won’t find anything for less than $250.

4659 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Feliz.

Golden Age Hollywood

In the Silver Lake neighborhood on the East Side of Los Angeles, Golden Age Hollywood is the brainchild of Frenchman Ludvic Orlando, a former footwear production manager for H&M, and Jesse Bardy, a vintage specialist. Together, they opened Golden Age Hollywood in 2016 on Melrose Avenue, mixing rare vintage with shoes inspired by Hollywood’s golden age. 

Decorated with large black-and-white portraits of Hollywood stars, their boutique offers a wide selection of French workwear, including Le Mont Saint Michel, Lafont, and Le Laboureur, with the rest of the space dedicated to vintage military and American clothing, including a few U.S. Army jackets, a range of old Levi’s, and even masks worn by soldiers in the Korean War. The company also has its own line of women’s heeled shoes, exact reproductions from the 1940s and 1950s, and a collection of caps dedicated to Hollywood stars such as Robert Mitchum and Errol Flynn. 

This selection has attracted Hollywood stylists and costume designers, designers, musicians, and actors and actresses such as Angelina Jolie, Lily Rose-Deep, Hedi Slimane, Austin Butler, Jeremy Allen White, and Jacob Elordi for years. Here, prices start at $80.

3210 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood.

Ending Soon Studios

Founded in Paris, Ending Soon has grown into a transcontinental experience with a presence on both American coasts, with collections available online and in stores in Los Angeles, New York and soon in Paris. 

In Los Angeles, founders Houman Farahmand and Senya Barski own a studio resembling a large apartment in Melrose Hill, the new art and creative neighborhood located between Hollywood and Koreatown. Occupying an entire floor, their Ending Soon Studios is as notable for its vintage selection as it is for its decor, with white parquet flooring, brutalist vintage furniture from the 1970s, stunning chain link racks, and ikebana arrangements.

With the ambition to “inspire new perspectives for expression, fantasy, and exploration beyond the establishment and social media that penetrate and numb the sense of deviance,” Ending Soon Studio offers a collection of unique, classic contemporary clothing from around the world. Each piece is hand-selected, ranging from Marni, Prada, Celine, Christian Dior, and Yohji Yamamoto to leather, striped shirts, Jean Paul Gaultier, evening dresses, and more.

The collection also includes jewelry, including pieces by designer Stacey Nishimoto, a selection of fashion books and vintage magazines such as Lui and Playboy, among others, and candles by 199X. 

Here, the lowest prices start at $250 or $300.

544 N Western Avenue. 

Lily et Cie

Opened nearly 40 years ago in Beverly Hills, this high-end vintage couture boutique founded by collector Rita Watnick has become renowned for its museum-quality collection of 20th and 21st century vintage designer clothing, gowns, suits, and accessories, ranging from couture to ready-to-wear. One of the pioneers of vintage in Los Angeles, Watnick is convinced that old clothes are not frozen relics.

All the major luxury houses are represented in this intimate space, reminiscent of a private salon, including Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Chanel, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Paco Rabanne. 

Having become the headquarters for celebrities willing to do anything to find the most beautiful red carpet dress, Lily and Co. has seen its treasures worn by Demi Moore, Renee Zellwegger, Naomi Campbell, Kare Moss, Ariana Grande, sisters Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Margot Robbie, Kim Kardashian, and Penelope Cruz. The house has also collaborated with fashion museums. Their pieces have been worn at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and other famous red carpet events. 

Expect to pay between $300 and several thousand dollars for a designer dress.

Red Building East Wing by Appointment Only, 750 N San Vicente Blvd 

The Paper Bag Princess

Elizabeth Mason is credited with opening this vintage store in Los Angeles in 1995 after writing her first book on vintage shopping, “The Rag Street Journal”, a vintage bible published in 1992 on how to get the most out of thrift stores. A second book followed a few years later, titled Valuable Vintage.

Taking its name from a famous children’s book, The Paper Bag Princess opened on Melrose Avenue in 2017, in the Beverly Grove neighborhood. In a couture and theatrical setting, with black and white checkered tile floors and surrounded by a few Ionic columns, pieces from the major luxury houses of the 20th century to today are on display. Among them are dresses by Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Roberto Cavalli, all calibrated for the red carpet. 

Among the stars who have recently used his services are Kim Petras, Ana Furtado, Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Lana Del Rey, and Kim Kardashian.

Prices start at $800 and go up to several thousand dollars.

8050 Melrose Avenue.