And the best part? You don’t even need to leave the neighborhood to get it.
Long Beach is, in many ways, a city of pleasant surprises. Among those surprises is just how many clothing boutiques exist within a stone’s throw from one another. Good ones. The kinds that prompt the oh-so-delicious question from your friends and coworkers – “where did you GET that?” This summer, skip the trek up to Del Amo or Fashion Island. Update your wardrobe with all of the season’s must-haves, curated from boutiques so close to home, they might as well be in your backyard.
Here are 8 wearable looks we styled with 8 boutiques from Bixby to Belmont Shore.
1. Head-to-Toe Pattern, Shop Anneise
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Criss-Cross Sandals, $16 • Striped Jumpsuit, $48 • Woven Cinch Pack, $28
Shop Anneise – Where comfort meets effortless cool. Shop Anneise (pronounced ah-nay-say) is a shared boutique space in downtown East Village. The shop carries modern styles and muted colors that walk the line between trendy and classic – all with carefully selected cohesion. Come here for unexpected, yet totally wearable pieces that will outfit your on-the-go lifestyle, like this chunky vertical stripe jumpsuit, black slides, and beach-worthy cinch sack.
2. Colors of the Rainbow, Runway Trash
Button-Front Dress, $45 • Woven Rainbow Bag, $20 • Geometric Earrings, $18
Runway Trash is as fun and quirky as its name lends you to believe. This boutique prides itself on showcasing old, new, and everything else in between. In fact, as you peruse the racks, you might forget that you’re shopping, and find yourself feeling instead like you’re reading through a history of fashion through the decades. If you’re in the market for something entirely one-of-a-kind, like a rainbow tote bag or ‘notice-me’ earrings, Runway Trash should be on your radar.
3. Tie-Front Details, Make Collectives
Make Collectives is a one-stop-shop in downtown East Village for all things fashion, home, music… the list goes on and on. Their small yet refined selection of new and vintage men’s and women’s clothes always delivers. Mix and match current trends with time-tested statements, like this tie-front top paired with a show-stopping vintage circle handle bag you’d be hard-pressed to tell me isn’t on the racks of Zara right now. On that note, a word of advice: if you see a vintage bag like this the next time you’re at Make, snatch it up right away – they sell quickly and the shop usually only stocks 1 or 2 of any given style, especially vintage.
4. Dainty Details, Twig & Willow
Tank Dress, $158 • Raffia Hat, $54 • Huaraches, $74 • Jewelry, Starting at $22
You’d be hard-pressed not to fall in love with something new each time you walk into Twig & Willow. One of the most remarkable things about the shop is its keen selection of ‘giftable’ things – from home goods and beauty products to the most want-worthy jewelry around. Stop in for a new ring stack or statement necklace, and finish off your look with some chic off-duty neutrals, like this oversized tank dress and brown huarache flats.
5. All About the ‘80s, Blue Windows
Ringer Tee, $26 • Skirt, $50 • Multicolored Bag, $145 • Slides, $148
It’s tough not to find yourself shopping on 2nd Street, even if you weren’t planning on it. Boutiques like Blue Windows make it hard. Like, really hard. Here, you’ll find everything from relaxed to statement-making pieces, alongside beautifully curated home decor and thoughtful gifts. Mix some of their more casual items, like this Long Beach ringer tee, with unexpected pieces that scream summer, like a multi-colored tote bag and chunky black slides.
6. Retro Revival, 4th and Elm Boutique
Multicolored Tube Top, $27 • High-Waisted Flare Pants, $30 • Hoop Earrings, $20
You might remember 4th and Elm from our Best of Long Beach roundup last December. But if you haven’t heard of 4th and Elm by now, you absolutely should. The shop is curated with edgy it-girls in mind, meaning that you’ll find everything from flowy dresses and mini skirts to retro flares and bold tube tops.
7. Co-Ord Sets, Prism Boutique
Gingham Tie Top, $112 • Gingham Midi Skirt, $158 • Wooden Purse, $132 • Cat Eye Sunglasses, $80 • Cream Slides, $106 • Woven Hat, $77
Prism Boutique might just be one of the coolest hidden secrets of Long Beach’s fashion scene. About a mile past Retro Row, Prism is just about as dreamy as it gets. Amazing brands, unique boho-inspired finds, and Instagram-worthy decor make this space more of a destination than a shop.
8. More Mustard, Please, Goldie’s
Jumpsuit, $69 • Necklace, $22 • Purse, $32
Goldie’s has a distinctive charm to it that, at first glance, makes you feel like you’re walking into a carefully curated vintage shop. Because in all honesty, that’s almost exactly what it is. Sure, the clothes may be new, but the attention to detail that goes into their selection is as if each piece was one-of-a-kind. With a philosophy founded on offering clothes that are USA-made and versatile for every body type, flattering pieces like this mustard jumpsuit will quickly jump to the top of your ‘want’ list.
What’s your favorite place to shop in Long Beach? Be sure to tell us in the comments.
In collaboration with Rachel Off Duty
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