I need to buy some cool, cheap clothing in the Inland Empire/LA area

September 24, 2006 7:51 PM

[SoCalShoppingFilter] I'm a broke grad student, and I need some new clothes, and am looking for good stores in the SoCal area. Some specifics...

I'm mostly a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, cargo shorts and t-shirt kind of guy in the summer. In terms of style, I like a lot of the shorts and jeans found at Urban Outfitters, but don't like to pay $80 for a pair of cargo shorts. I could just roll down to Old Navy, but I'd rather avoid sweat shop stuff, if possible. I'm hesitant to buy stuff online-I'd rather be able to try it on, as I have a slightly funny shape, and like big pockets.

So can anyone recommend some stores in the SoCal area that carry nice casual stuff at a reasonable price? A place like H&M seems ideal, but it seems like the Pasadena store only carries women's stuff? Good thrift stores, or affordable vintage stores would be great too. I live in the Inland Empire, but for a cool store, would be happy to leave it. (Actually, I'm usually happy for any excuse to leave it, but I digress...) I am most desperately in need of shorts, closely followed by jeans.

posted by HighTechUnderpants to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

Try Marshall's or Ross. They are cheap and often carry name brand clothes. You've just got to deal with the hordes of bargain hunters who descend on those stores like locusts. . .
posted by anansi at 8:03 PM on September 24, 2006

Nordstrom Rack is a somewhat upscale version of Marshall's. Check the Nordstrom website for locations; I'm not exactly sure where the "inland empire" starts, I only lived in Irvine for a little while and I'm pretty sure it's further inland than that. Anyway, worst case scenario there's one way the F down by the 405 (across from South Coast Plaza) in Santa Ana.

Also, pick up the OC Weekly if you can get your hands on one; I know there are at least one or two thrift/vintage stores that advertise pretty heavily in there, at least in the paper edition.
posted by rkent at 8:34 PM on September 24, 2006

Have you tried the Lake Elsinore Outlet Mall (off the 15 freeway at Nichols)? Lots of what you're describing at severely reduced prices.
posted by The Gooch at 9:15 PM on September 24, 2006

Also, the Ontario outlet mall if you are in the Inland Empire. I dont know how far you will get not wanting to buy sweatshop stuff.
posted by fillsthepews at 9:42 PM on September 24, 2006

You sound like Old Navy's ideal demographic -- and c'mon, jeans and cargo shorts are their bread and butter. Are you sure all their stuff is made in sweatshops? (And how can you be sure that the stuff you buy in vintage stores isn't?)

You can always go to American Apparel (all over LA) for certified non-sweatshop t's and sweats... But you'll pay a bit more for it.
posted by turducken at 10:31 PM on September 24, 2006

Response by poster: Well, stuff bought in a vintage shop is (presumably) second hand, so if the company that produced it used sweatshop labor, it doesn't make anything if the product is sold a second time.

That's the only difference.
posted by HighTechUnderpants at 10:51 PM on September 24, 2006

I love Jet Rag (super cheap and stylish vintage wares) on LaBrea.
I'm not too thrilled about American Apparel's founder, so I avoid them at all costs. But Target is great, I think.
posted by Lillitatiana at 10:55 PM on September 24, 2006

I'll second the Ross/Marshall's suggestion, and add to it TJ Maxx/Burke's Outlet.
(I've only ever seen one of those around, look around places like Grocery Outlet/WinCo)
The Galleria/Ontario Mills won't be the end of the world, just look for stuff on sale.
But if you're looking for some entertainment - Cabazon! Make a day of it, head through the Pass towards the Desert Hills Outlets, and go into Palm Springs/Palm Desert, go down Palm Canyon and enjoy the Palm Springs vibe. It's good fun. We're a bit on the shoulder season for them, but start googling up the abovementioned places. I always had better luck at Ross in really rich areas because they weren't quite as picked over.

I think you're looking for small boutique type places, at least, that's what I hear. I'm sorry, I'm pretty familar with the suburbia eastwards, so these are my hints.
posted by lilithim at 11:25 PM on September 24, 2006