Dressing the Part: Where to Find Hollywood's Hand-Me-Downs
Admit it: You've dreamed of being a glamorous movie or TV star -- everyone has. Well, don't expect to be "discovered" during your L.A. vacation, but you can live out your fantasy by dressing the part. Costumes from famous movies, TV show wardrobes, castoffs from celebrity closets -- they're easier to find (and more affordable to own) than you might think.
A good place to start is Studio Wardrobe/Reel Clothes, 5525 N. Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood (tel. 818/508-7762; www.reelclothes.com). You may recognize some of the clothes from movies and TV shows; most of the items were worn by stars or extras before being turned over for public sale. Prices range from $10 to $1,000. New shipments arrive every few days, and often include props and accessories from sets. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.
At The Place & Co., 8820 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester (tel. 310/645-1539; www.theplaceandco.com), the anonymity of the well-heeled clientele (sellers and buyers) is strictly honored. Here you'll find men's and women's haute couture -- always the latest fashions, gently worn -- at a fraction of the Rodeo Drive prices. All the designers are here: Ungaro, Bill Blass, Krizia, Donna Karan. You may have even seen that Armani suit or Sonia Rykiel gown you found in the racks on an Academy Awards attendee last year. Open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
For sheer volume, you can't beat It's A Wrap, 3315 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank (tel. 818/567-7366; www.movieclothes.com). Every item here is marked with its place of origin, and the list is staggering: Beverly Hills, 90210; Melrose Place; Seinfeld; Baywatch; Seventh Heaven; Sabrina the Teenage Witch; American Beauty; The Truman Show; and so on. Many of these wardrobes (which include shoes and accessories) aren't outstanding but for their Hollywood origins: Jerry Seinfeld's trademark Polo shirts, for instance, are standard mall-issue. Some collectible pieces, like Sylvester Stallone's Rocky stars-and-stripes boxers, are framed and on display. Open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm, Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
When you're done at It's A Wrap, stop in across the street at Junk For Joy, 3314 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank (tel. 818/569-4903; www.junkforjoy.com). A Hollywood wardrobe coordinator or two will probably be hunting through the racks right beside you at this wacky little store. The emphasis here is on funky items more suitable as costumes than everyday wear (the store is mobbed each year around Halloween). When I visited, the shop was loaded with 1970s polyester shirts and tacky slacks, but you never know what you'll find. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, Saturday from 11am to 6pm.
The grande dame of all wardrobe and costume outlets is Western Costume, 11041 Vanowen St., North Hollywood (tel. 818/760-0900; www.westerncostume.com). In business since 1912, Western Costume still designs and executes wardrobes for major motion pictures; when filming is finished, the garments are added to their staggering rental inventory. This place is perhaps best known for outfitting Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind. Several of Scarlett O'Hara's memorable gowns were available for rent until they were auctioned off at a charity event. Western also maintains an outlet store, where damaged garments are sold at rock-bottom (nothing over $15) prices. If you're willing to do some rescue work, there are definitely hidden treasures here. Open for rentals Monday through Friday from 8am to 5:30pm, for sales Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm.
Finally, don't miss Golyester, 136 S. La Brea Ave. (tel. 323/931-1339). This shop is almost a museum of finely preserved (but reasonably priced) vintage clothing and fabrics. The staff will gladly flip through stacks of Vogue magazines from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s with you, pointing out the lavish, star-studded original advertisements for various outfits in their stock. Open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm.
