LA for shoppers: A suggested one-day itinerary

Morning

It isn’t a shopping trip to Los Angeles without a visit to the storied Rodeo Drive, even if you plan to do more window-shopping than cash splashing. Beat the crowds and start your day the Beverly Hills way – with a Starbucks iced coffee, that is. Fashionistas should hit a few essential stops: Céline and Saint Laurent for Francophilic fashion, Ferragamo and Prada for Italian style, Coach and Fendi for of-the-minute accessories. Don’t forget to people-watch as you go – the street style nearly rivals what’s in the shops.

Afternoon

Take a breather from the buzz of Rodeo Drive with a trip to one of LA’s coolest alternative shopping stretches: La Brea Avenue. Here, the focus is less on fashion houses and more on independent designers, so you can be sure to stand out with some one-of-a-kind items. General Quarters showcases “Southern California heritage style” and features a number of local labels (and an on-site barber shop, in case you also fancy a trim), while Maison Midi will have your home looking as SoCal cool as you do. Best of all, La Brea Avenue also doubles as one of LA’s most delicious restaurant rows, so you can settle in for a long lunchbreak at one of its many eateries – we like The Sycamore Kitchen for delectable brunches or Sugarfish for super-fresh sushi.

Evening

Wind up your shopping trip with a late afternoon on Melrose Avenue, another famous hub of LA style. Here you’ll find heavy-hitters like the edgy Creatures of Comfort and the expansive Rag & Bone. And no fashionista worth their stilettos would miss a trip to the iconic Fred Segal, which began life as a denim specialist in the 1960s before blossoming into a modern-day fashion legend. Best of all, you’ll find Mauro’s Cafe inside, which specialises in Italian fare (and celebrity sightings) – the perfect way to transition from retail therapy to an early supper.

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Rodeo drive © iStock: 4FR