Fashion and style: LA's most stylish shops

This one-of-a-kind shop specializes in new and used vinyl, cassettes, books, foreign film, clothing, art and posters. Check its Facebook page for an updated schedule of live music and visual artist pop-ups. The shop also doubles as the US headquarters for Finders Keepers Records and the B-Music collective, a UK outfit that focuses on psychedelic records.

Entering this small, museum-like design store that specializes in one-of-a kind art, furniture and decorative objects is like walking into Miss Havisham's attic and finding a surfeit of treasures and carnivalesque collectibles that surely have fascinating back stories. The surprise gems here, and on Obsolete's online store, run the gamut: primitive cheese-making bowls, a 250-lb WWII parachute crash-test dummy; 18th-century French painter's easels; an oak refectory convent table from England, circa 1930. Owner Ray Azoulay travels the world to find unique and rare objects.

First-time visitors to LA are often surprised at the lack of so-called Hollywood glamor on our streets: So much messy beach hair! Denim galore! Not the case at Decades, a vintage and designer consignment shop that’s orchestrated countless red carpet moments over the last 15 years. Expect a mix of show-stopping vintage gowns fit for awards season; late-20th century day dresses and skirt suits plucked from socialites’ overflowing closets; and a host of pristine pieces from more recent runway seasons, including names like Chanel, Prada and Christian Louboutin—all for under $300.

If the Last Bookstore Downtown were really our last bookstore, we'd be in good shape. Currently housed in what used to be an old bank building (complete with marble columns and giant doors), the store first began in a loft apartment and has since expanded to include a record shop, coffee bar and "Labyrinth" mezzanine level solely dedicated to $1 books. It's now the largest independent bookstore in Southern California. You can sell or trade old books here, pick up new ones, grab a record or a cup of joe, and attend a myriad of events including readings, book signings, writers groups, open mics and live music. It's a true community hot spot, bringing like-minded literary folks together to create, inspire and share in an open and welcoming space.

We’ll warn you now: after exploring this artisanal fragrance boutique, you’ll never again be able to stomach that synthetic department store spritz. Proprietress Alexandra Balahoutis creates her certified organic wares from pure botanical essences in-house, referring to her process as "narrative" fragrance making that evokes places, people and scenarios through scent. Fair Verona, for instance, was inspired by Shakespeare’s Juliet, resulting in a mélange of jasmine, sandalwood, mimosa and pink grapefruit.