In LA there exists a magical place called the LA Fashion District, and for my twentieth birthday, my mom took me there.
Each year my mom takes me on an adventure for my birthday month. After talking to a few friends who had been there, she plotted to take me to the Fashion District for several months before my big 2-0. It's scary thinking about how long ago that feels now. A lifetime, really.
The District, right downtown LA, at the time was open only to industry insiders, and to laypeople like us one weekend a month. Restrictions have loosened since we went, which is great, so it's now open to all of us all of the time. Only certain showrooms are kept exclusively for industry peeps.
The gist of this place is it's one big over-stimulation. Think of the people who sell "designer" bags on the street and put them into their own 100-block radius with makeshift storefronts and you'll have the LA Fashion District. But the difference! The difference is unlike the street corner guys, the people here are selling the real thing - the caveat is this: Nothing has a brand tag yet (wholesale! Just like Costco, only with super cool clothes that aren't in stores yet!), so it's much more affordable to us. And you don't have to worry about looking at the label and wondering Is this a cool brand? Everyone is on the same playing field. Merchandisers come in and buy big lots of product and add their tags. Everything you get is pre-market and at major savings.
The tunic I'm wearing is a great example of different merchandisers coming in and getting the same product. (To caveat, not every brand does this. For some, though, wholesale is a great way to get bulk and resell at a higher rate). I am completely obsessed with it. The fabric is nice and thick and I love the happy little polka dots peppered on it. And, trust me, I am not a polka dot person. The best part is I got it at the Rack for $59.97 a week ago. It's in other stores, too, with a different brand tag and selling for about $150.00.
Does this polka dotty little tunic make me feel like a shopping genius? It does, indeed. Because hunting down a deal is part of my DNA, and will always give me a little adrenaline rush only wide-eyed treasure sourcing can. So, dig a little for a deal, or spend $100 more for convenience? I'll always opt for the former. (That's $100 more toward a new duvet to add to the rotation OR toward a flight to breathe in the mountain air that is Utah. Just sayin.')
Also, to answer the question I've often had myself - tunic: Pants or no? I often belt them with tights or leggings most months of the year and then go bare-legged in balmier climes. In this case, I kept it really simple and imagined myself at my upcoming bachelorette weekend in Scottsdale (!!!!!!!) throwing this over a swimsuit for some casual tacos and skinny margs - a girl's gotta make sacrifices to be wedding bodied.
Tunic: Nordstrom Rack
Each year my mom takes me on an adventure for my birthday month. After talking to a few friends who had been there, she plotted to take me to the Fashion District for several months before my big 2-0. It's scary thinking about how long ago that feels now. A lifetime, really.
The District, right downtown LA, at the time was open only to industry insiders, and to laypeople like us one weekend a month. Restrictions have loosened since we went, which is great, so it's now open to all of us all of the time. Only certain showrooms are kept exclusively for industry peeps.
The gist of this place is it's one big over-stimulation. Think of the people who sell "designer" bags on the street and put them into their own 100-block radius with makeshift storefronts and you'll have the LA Fashion District. But the difference! The difference is unlike the street corner guys, the people here are selling the real thing - the caveat is this: Nothing has a brand tag yet (wholesale! Just like Costco, only with super cool clothes that aren't in stores yet!), so it's much more affordable to us. And you don't have to worry about looking at the label and wondering Is this a cool brand? Everyone is on the same playing field. Merchandisers come in and buy big lots of product and add their tags. Everything you get is pre-market and at major savings.
The tunic I'm wearing is a great example of different merchandisers coming in and getting the same product. (To caveat, not every brand does this. For some, though, wholesale is a great way to get bulk and resell at a higher rate). I am completely obsessed with it. The fabric is nice and thick and I love the happy little polka dots peppered on it. And, trust me, I am not a polka dot person. The best part is I got it at the Rack for $59.97 a week ago. It's in other stores, too, with a different brand tag and selling for about $150.00.
Does this polka dotty little tunic make me feel like a shopping genius? It does, indeed. Because hunting down a deal is part of my DNA, and will always give me a little adrenaline rush only wide-eyed treasure sourcing can. So, dig a little for a deal, or spend $100 more for convenience? I'll always opt for the former. (That's $100 more toward a new duvet to add to the rotation OR toward a flight to breathe in the mountain air that is Utah. Just sayin.')
Also, to answer the question I've often had myself - tunic: Pants or no? I often belt them with tights or leggings most months of the year and then go bare-legged in balmier climes. In this case, I kept it really simple and imagined myself at my upcoming bachelorette weekend in Scottsdale (!!!!!!!) throwing this over a swimsuit for some casual tacos and skinny margs - a girl's gotta make sacrifices to be wedding bodied.
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| Do I look like I'm about to go flea marketing in Melrose or what? So LC. |
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| Major fab moment in the one covered corner where we were shooting. You can see my bag didn't survive the pouring rain, but my fabitude did. |
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| So, so thrilled to be comfy and casual in my tunic, and obvi can't get over the pockets. |
And if you ever get a chance to shop the LA Fashion District, I highly recommend going at least once.
Sunglasses: Tom Ford via Nordstrom
Necklace and bracelet: Gifted from Brittanie
Photos: April from Ribbon and Lace Photography