SARAH SCHREFF/Photo Editor
CAITLIN WHITE
Assistant Living Editor
Authentic $25 Chuck Taylors, a bacon wrapped hot dog and faux Coach purses for less than it costs to fill up your gas tank are just part of what draws so many students to the junction of Santee Street and 12th Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The Santee Alley, a much talked about venue, is packed every weekend for many reasons. On any given Saturday, this section of downtown Los Angeles is sure to be packed with people, the air humming with vendors calling out their wares, and cars honking in an attempt to stop the constant pedestrian flow of the LA Fashion District? Aside from the insanely cheap prices, there is an added energy, a life that can never be felt in a mall.
No row of recognizable store fronts will ever appear, so don’t look for familiar shopping sites. Only row after row of objects, some obviously real stolen items, some cheap knock- offs and some just plain funny. In one tent, a man can constantly be heard proclaiming that every single thing in it is $5; bracelets, dresses and purses alike. Along the wall is a rack holding fake Coach and Fendi bags, sold for $40— less if you can haggle well. Amidst the maze is almost every commodity imaginable, sunglasses, knock-off iPods, perfume, wallets and belts. For those of us who don’t like to spend thousands of dollars but still appreciate the look of designer brands, everything is cheap.
Known as the Garment District, this is a secret gift to shoppers that many are too intimidated to try. But diving into this venue will be an adventure you never forget and the goods will make it all worth it. The entire mindset is different. A far cry from the well-bred confines of Malibu, some of the more memorable sites of the day can include the well-endowed mannequins, to cars with flames painted on them, to men on bicycles stopped and conversing with cars in traffic and a 50 cent bathroom. In spite of the culture shock, Malibu shoppers can and will survive “The Alley” as long as they follow a few simple rules.
First, don’t be intimidated by the fact that it’s in Downtown L.A., it is really only about 45 minutes from Pepperdine, straight down the 10 East, exit Maple Avenue. The second daunting task is, of course, parking. Don’t dream of parking on the street; it is a sure- fire way of getting your car broken into or stolen. Instead, find an all-day parking garage. There is one located on Santee and 11th where you can park for a mere $6 dollars for the whole day. Don’t be distracted by signs that say $3 for parking. Usually in smaller print below they say $3 … each 15 minutes. Those places will rip you off. Instead, look specifically for the words “all day” which for these street shops, is usually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Another important thing to remember is, it is very difficult to find a clean bathroom. Either go before you come, hold it, head to the Taco Bell on Santee Street, (one could easily wait 15 minutes) or brave the infamous 50 cent bathroom located in a parking garage above some Santee Street shops. The conditions are grim, but the story will be a hit at parties.
As for the actual shopping, the best advice is don’t lose your head. With $15 Gucci wallets, $10 dresses and $5 Versace and Prada sunglasses, it’s hard to know when to stop. Your friends will be impressed with your new Coach bag, but will they really buy that you could afford your seven new Coach bags? Just because you can get seven purses for the price of what one real Coach purse would cost, doesn’t mean you should buy them. Don’t forget to examine your merchandise closely. Ensure that those are actually C’s, and not G’s or D’s on your new en vogue hand bag; some fakes are better faked than others. But whatever the purchase, the Fashion District offers abundance, style and personality to your shopping experience.
10-04-2007
