Centered on 9th and Main
Los Angeles Garment District Website
The Los Angeles Garment District spans some 90 blocks in downtown, an almost bewildering complex of stores, warehouses and boutiques.
Many of the best places to shop in the Los Angeles Garment District are closed on Sundays and sell only on a wholesale basis during the week, making Saturdays the busiest shopping days. Sample sales are help several times a year, usually on the last Friday of the month. You'll find sizes 4 and 6 only, and the showrooms accept cash only.
On the weekends, when many Los Angeles Garment District wholesalers are closed, the streetside shops along Santee Alley are very popular. They offer items at very low prices and sell a lot of knock-offs and fakes, but do not offer the same bargains as the mainstream stores. Santee Alley starts at Olympic Boulevard between Santee Street and Maple Avenue.
Getting the Most Out of the Los Angeles Garment District
With so many stores to choose from in the Los Angeles Garment District, some expert advice may help. Urban Shopping Adventures offers guided tours in the Los Angeles Garment District, or you can download an MP3 podcast tour. The shopping hints at the Los Angeles Garment District website are also very helpful, and they have a detailed map of the area. As a last resort, look for the uniformed Safe Team officers patrol the Los Angeles Garment District on bicycles, wearing yellow shirts. They carry maps and can help answer your questions or with anything else.
Other Bargains Near the Los Angeles Garment District
Near the Los Angeles Garment District in the same part of downtown, you will also find the Toy District, and the Flower Market is on Wall Street between 7th and 8th. For pretty, sparkly things, try the Jewelry District at 640 S. Hill.
It's a bit of a walk from the Los Angeles Garment District to the Staples Center, so you may want to take a bus or taxi.