LAURA JOHNSON
Assistant Life Editor
Back in fourth grade, it was certainly un-cool to be known as the kid who shopped at the Salvation Army. Today, it seems that second-hand clothing, which prances under the term “vintage,” is not only a way to save a little cash, but also a wonderful way to be considered an ultimate fashion-forward person.
Now unless one is 3 years old, clothing is a personal choice. What to put on one leg at a time can be tricky, especially if running out the door with no minutes to spare for those 8 a.m.’s. These three fine establishments offer a wide variety of second-hand treasures that may make those tarried mornings a little easier.
The Way We Wore
The shop’s name is a quaint play on words homage to the old Robert Redford film “The Way We Were.” As for the store, the name says it all – the best and finest vintage couture clothing in the area.
A staple in the L.A. area since 1981, the boutique itself is a hamlet of great finds. Carrying casual to high-end vintage clothing, accessories and jewelry, the place is certainly great for those seeking an alternative route to wearing what is hot. Catering to the more couture end of the fashion spectrum, many of the offerings will be things that one’s mother may be more impressed to find.
However, college students also have special occasions where dresses may be appropriate. One would never have to worry about someone else showing up to a formal in one of these dresses because they are all one of a kind. Like their motto says, the place offers “vintage clothing to wear or inspire,” and although it may seem silly to think that clothes can inspire, with the right outfit it just might.
Wasteland
The name Wasteland surely stands out. And unlike the name leads one to believe, it is not a land where everyone is wasted but rather a store where funky fashion pioneers can finally feel at home.
Located on 3rd Street in Santa Monica, it is the most accessible and also the most affordable of the three stores. Wasteland is the perfect grotto to alleviate the doldrums of those “never find the right thing to buy” shopping days.
Here, in this jungle of sale racks where old band T-shirts, 80’s prom dresses and worn fur coats preside together, vintage greatness can be found for great deals. As with all almost-new clothing stores, one must be willing to dig for the buried treasure, but as long as one is patient, $5 shirts or a $40 dollar pair of designer jeans can be duly unearthed.
However, the best thing about the store is the shoe section. Lining the entire back wall, shoes from today and yesterday reside next to each other in size order. Worries of foot fungus from previous owners must be thrust from the mind before one can attempt to play Cinderella. For one thing, the shoes are thoroughly cleaned before shelved, and for another, it will be worth it in the end as it will most likely lead to the most awesome pair of kicks one will ever own. Also, be sure to try on shoes in a lot of sizes because many older shoes do not equate to today’s measurements.
Hidden Treasures
Topanga Canyon is not just the place Cory’s girlfriend was named after in the show “Boy Meets World,” but also a vintage paradise. The best place to go, for those wild weekends of themed church bible studies or all-girl tea parties, Hidden Treasures vintage store is truly a diamond in the middle of the mountains.
Although a good 10 minutes into the canyon, the store is worth its weight in gas. Nothing beats the $1 dollar bin right outside the front door. Even though it is mostly filled with junk, there will be that one day when something amazing will accidentally be thrown in there.
Incredibly eclectic, only a place like Topanga could house a shop this special. Treasure’s quirky exterior counts hidden waterfalls, a giant steering wheel, and a dinosaur among its lawn assortments. The inside has more scrambled knick-knacks in one room than your grandmother could ever dream of including a shark head and various tiki sculptures.
Surely one of the best places to find a Halloween costume, or just some regular used clothing, Hidden Treasures is a store as individual as those who choose to peruse through it.
Hidden Treasures
154 S Topanga Canyon Blvd
Topanga, CA 90290-3132
Phone: (310) 455-2998
Parking: free and easy
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-6:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-6pm
Wasteland
1338 4th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 395-2620
Parking: pay in parking garage
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 12pm-7pm;
Buying hours 12pm-6pm daily.
The Way We Wore
334 S La Brea
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 937-0878
Parking: Good luck
Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm , By appointment
04-03-2008
