Melrose Avenue Shopping, Los Angeles

This is actually about a service called Fashion Buddy...the website is www.fashionbuddy.net. I've had a great experience with it and it would be useful for anyone coming in from out of town who wants a guided tour of the shopping in LA. The service is customized to each client, the consultation is free, and you get to go shopping with someone who guide you to all the best stores and SALES in LA:)

For the trendy shoppers there is Melrose Avenue, where the trendy shops and restaurants are, located just a few block below Hollywood Blvd, - and it runs paralel with it. Then of course, there is THE Rodeo Drive, with all the highend fashions. You are likely to see the TMZ TV show paparazzi hanging out there waiting to catch a video clip of the stars. TMZ by the way, stands for The Movie Zone, - a term coined back in the 30s and 40s, which included all the major studios in Hollywood.

For those looking for bargain shopping, there is the Garment District, located on Los Angeles Street and Santee Street, where all the famous designer fashions are available for a fraction of the price.

What to buy: Both men's and women's fashions, from bargain spots to high end and trendy shops.

What to pay: From bargain prices in the Garment District to ultra expensive on Rodeo Drive

Merose Avenue is one of my favorite places to shop in LA. There is about 10 blocks (all east of Fairfax Ave) of women's (and a few men') clothing shops selling fashionable and cheap clothing similar to the designer clothing being sold for 10 times more at other locations. If you go west of Fairfax you start running into stores selling the real thing at 10 times the price.

Melrose Ave also has a few reasonably priced restaurants and coffee shops making it a great place to spend the afternoon and people watch. This is the area where all the young wanna be actor locals hang out. I've even see a few celebrities on the street - Wee Man from Jackass and Snoop Dog!

What to buy: Cute tops and dresses at reasonable prices $15-$50.

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Old Hollywood Glamour Boutique on upscale Melrose. Easy to park and no crowds here. Makeup Mandy offers the best products out there and even the hard to find brands from Europe. Staff is extremely knowledgeable and eager to please. I always leave with samples and information. Makeup Mandy is a great spot for gifts because the ladies will create a custom basket at no charge and no headache. you can call in your order and they do all the work including shipping and writting out your card. In addtion to fabulous beauty buys Makeup Mandy has cute pjs and home fragrance items.

What to buy: Come for a tummy tuck, cellulite reduction, plum lips and flawless skin. Gifts for women or men.

What to pay: Anywhere from $0 to $500...depends on how much of a beauty junky you are.

Over 160 vendors organized by Hollywoodish high schoolers characterizes this unique "only in California" experience. The Melrose Trading Post is a weekly run flea market on the lot of famed Fairfax School, the school of some Red Hot Chili Peppers and Phil Spector to name a few. There is a rock n roll kind of atmosphere at the market, judging by the young and hip crowd and area. Admission is $2, which benefits solely the youngsters of the local school district. So, feel proud knowing that the collectable watch or nice vinatge necklace you'll buy will go to a good cause.

What to buy: vinatge items
modern and old-fashioned furniture
some antiques
jewelry
clothing
frames
music items

What to pay: a few dollars, maybe a buck on an old collectable vinyl or a ragged doll
many dollars, like $30 for a classic rocking chair

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will do individual shops soon, sometime more in depth tips!

What to buy: a whole diversity of truly creative apparel, on the funky and hip side...

often featuring:

labels t-shirts and top with common pop culture symbols (i.e of superman symbol, old 70s and 80s shows, etc)
rock and roll shirts
leather jackets
jeams with rips
bohemian/hippie attire
gothic styles

What to pay: from a few dollars to hundreds

In this very long street you'll find all sort of stores, and even very weird ones, for instance trendy little boutiques with storefronts done up in florescent colors,or sporting curious names!

Here is also where they say the stars shop, but I haven't met any there..

Filled with the trendiest clothing and accessories at affordable prices. The salesgirls are extremely helpful. Tell them you want an outfit similar to one of theirs, or tell them you want a military look (or whatever) and they will take care of everything! They will put entire outfits together, complete with accessories, for you to try. Little pressure to buy. Exchanges within 7 days. No refunds; store credit only.

Chock full of faux jewelry and hair accessories, prices are a little more than you'd find downtown at the Jewelry Mart, yet less expensive than at retail places.

What to buy: Chandelier earrings, sequined barrettes, headbands, mini purses, etc.

What to pay: Most everything seemed to be under $30.00.

i have been looking everywhere for the real jennifer lopez glass shoe. i found it at xtc on melrose. they have an article in bazzar magazine posted in the store, and j-lo says " my favorite shoes are from xtc and they are called "glass". AMAZING. they are so damn comfortable too. check out their site if you dont live in los angeles www.xtcshoes.com or go in 7603 melrose ave. you willl go crazy in there.

What to buy: sexy shoes.

What to pay: 100-300 dollars.