A Guide to Los Angeles Fashion District Santee Alley

If you're looking for a bargain and live in the Los Angeles area, the LA Fashion District, is the place to find trendy yet one-of-a-kind pieces that you won't be able to find in a regular shopping mall. The bonus is that the goods you'll find in the Fashion District are usually dirt cheap.

Santee Alley is one section of the Fashion District and probably the best area to find the real deals. Its name comes from its location within the 90-block District where it is located on Santee with cross streets that include Main and Los Angeles streets. Although the entire Fashion District will offer deals, Santee is where shoppers will find the most bargains.

The District is open Monday through Sunday. However, the best day to go is on Saturday because many of the stores that are only open as wholesalers during the week will open their doors to the public on Saturdays. Sundays are generally a little more quiet as many of the shops are closed for the day. General hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but if you're looking at a specific store, call to figure out the exact times ahead of going.

The best strategy for Santee Alley is to go early especially if you are going on a Saturday. Even if you decide to go around 10 a.m., it is still very crowded and by noon, it's packed.

Make sure to wear walking shoes and clothing that is comfortable because you will be doing a lot of walking. Stores are everywhere, row after row and if you want to be up to the challenge of sifting through racks and aisles of jewelry and clothing, you'll want to make sure you are comfortable enough to do so.

If you are going to bring a purse, make sure it is not too bulky and allows you easy access to your money. At the same time, make sure it is something that you have complete control over. While the city has made attempts to clean up the area, don't make yourself an easy target for thieves that thrive on the crowds and unsuspecting "tourist" shoppers. Many stores will accept credit cards for a minimum purchase amount and some stores even offer ATM machines. However, you should take into consideration the fact that cash is king in this area. Ultimately, it is just easier to bring cash and do your business with it.

In terms of parking, there are parking lots in Los Angeles. Look for one that charges a flat rate rather than by the hour. Most have flat rats anyways during the weekends. Try to pick one that is one the outskirts of Santee Alley so that you don't end up having to drive through the crowds of pedestrians walking to and from stores.

In the main section of Santee, jewelry stores are everywhere. You can usually find merchandise sometimes 75 percent off the retail label you'll see in stores. In fact, the sticker price on most items is not usually the price you'll pay. In many of the jewelry stores, they tend to offer large percentages off the price every day. The jewelry selection varies from trendy, to traditional. You will find whatever you are looking for whether it be for a dressy event or something to go with an everyday outfit.

The area is also a great place to pick up a purse. There are tons of stores with designer knock-offs but there are also an amazing selection of stores with original pieces at prices that can range from $10 and up.

In terms of clothing, there are both men and women's wear in Santee Alley. However, women's wear tends to dominate. In many stores, you can find fully lined items, designer jeans and other finds for under $20. A recent trip found excess Express jeans marked at $10. The only thing is that merchandise moves quickly and you are not guaranteed to see the same things in the stores a week later.

One thing to keep in mind with this area is that dressing rooms are not the norm in many stores. So, purchase clothing with caution and know the store policy because many do not do returns or exchanges.

Other deals in this area include evening wear. A lot of people purchase their prom dresses at Santee where some vendors sell racks of dresses priced at around $20 each - and these aren't pieces that look like they're $20 either. These are fully lined dresses with beading detail in satins and various other fabrics.

You can easily spend a whole day here. However, it can be overwhelming and if you want to beat the traffic, it is best to leave by the early afternoon. So, happy shopping.