Recommendations

Revamped, bold-print vintage pieces that are easy to wear and sure to make you stand out.

Guide: Fashionista (Melody)
Location: LES

Strengths

• A LES dress Mecca that reconstructs vintage fabrics into new cuts and styles.
• Every piece in the store is one-of-a-kind, so you won't bump into anyone wearing the same thing.

Shortcomings

• Even though they fit a range of body-types (from 0-14), none of the pieces are marked by size, so you have to try on a few to find the perfect fabric and fit.
• The dressing room is huge but there's only one, so if you're shy you may have to wait until it clears out before you use it.

Insider tips

• If you have a favorite vintage fabric or an old dress that you love, bring it in and have them tailor it for you into one of their fun, flirty designs.
• If you can't find anything you like in the front of the store, ask if they'll let you sneak a peak in the back.
• My favorites include the triangle top babydoll dress with woven suspenders, and any silk piece with a low-cut back.
• Check out the hand-pounded brass earrings from local artists.
• The girls behind Some Odd Rubies just opened another shop out of LA, which is a great place to visit if you're bicoastal.

Anecdotes

• Whenever I drop into this LES dress shop I cannot leave until I've tried on at least seven dresses, three tops, and a good portion of whatever they have hanging up in the backroom. It may take me a while to decide but I've never bought a dress from them yet that hasn't been showered with compliments.

Credentials

• They've been written up in the pages of Vogue, Lucky and Elle Living.