Is shopping in
Los Angeles always expensive? Not necessarily! The city may be notorious as one of the most expensive in the world, let alone in the US, but it's still possible to shop on a budget here. The Third Street Promenade certainly allows it, as does Westfield Culver City. And if you want to get your hands on designer pieces at only a fraction of the cost, head to Bloomingdale's Outlet Store! Either way, these spots and more prove that you don't have to drain your bank account just to shop in LA.
LA Vintage Stores
Let's start with
LA's best vintage shops, which sell old but pristine designer pieces at awesome prices. Jet Rag along La Brea Avenue to Lemon Frog in Echo Park, the city boasts a handful of secondhand stores that are truly a bang for your buck! Imagine getting your hands on vintage Dior, Chanel, Mugler, and more without breaking the bank! These beautiful boutiques make it possible and more. You might even end up with a more fabulous wardrobe thanks to these vintage stores.
Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is arguably the city's best shopping spot. While its famous boardwalk is more for family fun, this esplanade mall is for retail therapy! You'll see familiar names like Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch, as well as high-street favorites like Uniqlo and Urban Outfitters. So no matter your budget, you'll find a store that's right for you here! And if you're lucky, you might even catch awesome deals at the more luxurious labels in the mall.
Westfield Culver City
Though it's often mistaken as one of
LA's neighborhoods, Culver City is a separate city. It just so happens to lie so near Los Angeles that many people still think it's part of the bigger city. Nevertheless, Culver City has its own attractions, including its most famous mall: Westfield Culver City. As the city's ultimate retail hub, the place has all of your favorite brands, especially the more affordable ones. Even if you're on a strict budget, you can still get a lot in shops like H&M, Hollister, JCPenney, Express, Aeropostale, and Macy's, to name a few.
Saks Off 5th
Head on over to N. La Cienega Boulevard if you want to get your hands on the best designer pieces at lower prices! Why this place, specifically? Because this is where LA's Saks Off Fifth is located! Beloved for its most amazing deals and discounts, it's one of the best places to shop for designer brands at only a fraction of the cost. Imagine labels like Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, and more at up to 70% off!
Nordstrom Rack
Located inside Beverly Connection, Nordstrom Rack also lures in budget hoppers and bargain-hunters alike with its coveted discounts and promos. Like Saks Off Fifth, this fairly affordable store makes it easier for you to wear designer clothes while still having enough to spend on the rest of your other
living costs in Los Angeles. Especially since Nordstrom Rack features such heavy-hitters as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Rag & Bone, and DKNY, among many others.
Ross
Its complete name is “Ross Dress for Less,” so you just know you'll get bang for your buck in Ross! Unfortunately, though, Ross doesn't share the same type of prestige that Saks Off Fifth and Nordstrom Rack have. But don't let that dissuade you from shopping here! What Ross may lack in reputation, it more than makes up for with its high-quality pieces sold at amazingly low prices. Your next suit or cocktail dress is waiting for you hear, and the best part? They'll barely cost you $50.00 each!
TJ Maxx
TJ Maxx is another well-known discount department store, and it's become so popular, it has various locations throughout Los Angeles. There's one on W 3rd Street, another on W Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, and even one in Culver City, too! This should tell you just how much budget shoppers love it. And what's not to love here? TJ Maxx sells beloved brands like Ellen Tracy, Dalia Macphee, Free People, and Rachel Zoe at up to 80% off! You couldn't have asked for a better affordable spot to shop in Los Angeles!
Santee Alley
Many might advise you not to shop at Santee Alley, but don't listen to them! While it's admittedly far from the best place to shop in LA, there's still a lot to see and purchase here. This infamous strip of local boutiques and designer dupes is right at the heart of LA's Fashion District, giving space for indie designers and local creatives to sell their works to the rest of the world. Naturally, most of them are cheap, but if you keep your eyes peeled, you'll find one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else will ever have in their wardrobes.
Citadel Outlets
True to its name, Citadel Outlets in the City of Commerce offers a treasure trove of discounted designer duds. The place is not too far from Los Angeles, and you can easily get to it from
Downtown LA if you take the Santa Ana Freeway. When you get there, you'll find familiar names like Armani, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Furla, Gap, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren. If you buy from them at any other store or mall in the city, they'll cost you an arm and a leg. But here in Citadel Outlets, they'll barely put a dent in your bank account!
Although it may seem impossible, shopping in Los Angeles can still be fairly affordable. The city has several spots that offer awesome discounts, amazing deals, and beloved brands that cost an arm and a leg.