With Y2K fashion on the rise, there’s been a growing demand for high-quality vintage clothes from the early 2000s era. Vintage stores are no longer places where people go looking for bargain deals – they’ve evolved into spaces to hunt for special one-of-one pieces. This demand for vintage clothing makes it difficult to find top-tier second-hand storefronts that land somewhere in between thrift shops, and expensive vintage stores. Shops that land in the middle (I like to refer to them as “elevated” thrift shops) may be difficult to find, but there are still a number of them out there with stylish pieces at decent prices.
So, if you’re tired of getting lost in the musty jungles of vintage stores with no direction in sight, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve sweated and sifted through every-single-rack, at almost every vintage store in Los Angeles, to create a comprehensive list of the best storefronts with fair prices and racks of consistently desirable garments.
I’m not saying you won’t still have to dig for a diamond in the rough, but I’m here to make the hunt a bit easier for you.
The Way We Wore (334 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
The Way We Wore is top of the list for women’s designer vintage. The owner, Doris, carries two floors worth of 20th-century clothing and a TON of 90s and Y2K vintage pieces.
Scout Vintage LA (8021 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046)
For those seeking more minimalist and boho style vintage, this is the place to shop.
Bearded Beagle (4646 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027)
Bearded Beagle has one of the best selections of vintage graphic tees at great prices. It’s hard to find a price tag over $100 here and most pieces are between $20-50. They lean more ready-to-wear and less high fashion, which makes Beaded Beagle my top choice for everyday Y2K pieces.
Wasteland (7428 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046)
Everyone knows Wasteland and it’s been around forever, but it’s for good reason. The pieces seem almost too perfectly-curated. There’s a bit of a markup at Wasteland when compared to other storefronts on this list, but it makes sense since they’ve been around so long and carry some of the best of the best.
Aralda Vintage (2691 N Beachwood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068)
Aralda carries vintage pieces from every major designer. Every garment is hand-selected by the owner. Whereas other vintage stores sometimes feel like dirty clothes are caving in on you, Aralda’s feels inviting and pristine.
The Holding Company (3316 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505)
If you ever find yourself out in Burbank, you’ve got to check out The Holding Company, with lots of denim, camo, and linen, but also some stand-out graphic-printed tees.
Squaresville (1800 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027)
Squaresville is one of the best vintage stores in Los Feliz with a wide selection of fairly priced garments for men and women. If you’re in the area, explore the surrounding shops because there’s a ton of good vintage stores within the radius.
American Rag Cie (150 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
American Rag Cie is a premium vintage reseller with a lot to choose from. Leaning less courtier and more casual, you will absolutely find some stand-out, everyday looks here.
Silverlake Flea Market (1925 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026)
Although it’s not a storefront, the Silverlake Flea Market is open Saturdays and Sundays, and it’s by far the best flea market in Los Angeles for all your Y2K vintage shopping needs.