West Third Street shopping has taken on international flair, becoming the favorite shopping spot for LA’s most fashion savvy visitors and locals. If Rodeo Drive is the Sophia Loren of shopping in Los Angeles, West Third Street represents Julia Roberts and the generation that follows — still classy but flaunting stylistic freedom. Step inside one of these colorful, independent boutiques to experience West Third Street shopping at its best.
Polkadots & Moonbeams
The biggest closets — vintage and trendy dress-up — a girl could ask for.
Vintage versus the newest fashion trend: the two stores of Polkadots & Moonbeams offer a two-for-one deal. One store showcases retro, vintage throwback items, presented in a flowery wallpaper package. Think Victorian-era and flapper dresses, corsets and a hat collection worthy of the Mad Hatter. The other is all about new fashion, with flirty sundresses, catchphrase-filled T-shirts and lingerie.
8367 W. Third St., Los Angeles, 323.655.3880
Milk
The one-stop, everything-you-want shop.
One of the most popular boutique stores on West Third Street, Milk boasts a celebrity endorsement list as long as its inventory. Clientele aside, it’s the designer lines that steal the show. Beneath shelves lined with vintage milk bottles, racks showcase looks from the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Derek Lam, Missoni, Stretsis, Giulia Piersanti and Sue Stemp. For men, Milk offers labels such as Huna and Loomstate, shirts by Trovata and organic denim. And if you’re looking for that perfect gift item, you’ll find beauty products, jewelry, books and plenty of little trinkets that add to Milk’s flirty atmosphere.
8209 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 323.951.0330
Douglas Fir
Sophisticated style for the sophisticated LA male.
No, it’s not just a rumor…men do shop. And when they shop, they should hope for service as well respected as that of Douglas Fir. The staff cares little if you're a celebrity or the average Joe — a comforting thought for those in need of the store’s fashion expertise. Sporting clean lines and high-quality fabric, Douglas Fir leans toward simple and elegant designs by designers like Martin Margiela, Paul Smith and Comme des Garcons, all examples of the store’s sophisticated, somewhat British bent.
8311 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 323.651.5445
Noodle Stories
Quality, simplicity and cashmere
Noodle Stories is full of light, and trendsetting lines provides love for any wardrobe. The store features a well-edited selection of designers who are allowed to shine in the minimal space with a Japanese sensibility. Ann Louise Roswald, Comme des Garcons, Hache, Junya Watanabe, Luisa Cevese, Martin Margiela are in the mix.
8323 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 323.651.1782