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Street Styles at Melrose Trading Post
Melrose Trading Post is a classic Los Angeles flea market happening every Sunday. We hunted down the most stylish shoppers and sellers!
In Los Angeles, the flea markets are the best places for people-watching and trend-spotting. That’s where you can see the most interesting outfits and soak in loads of style inspiration.
We visited the iconic Melrose Trading Post and documented the best looks. Scroll down and find your favorite!
Max, 36
”I’m wearing the starry night/wizard print of a 90s Coogi sweater. I am selling Coogis here at Melrose Trading Post on the first, third, and fourth weekends of every month. On the second weekend, I am always at the Rose Bowl.
I’m so obsessed with Coogi. A few years ago, I finally decided to splurge and buy one. When I got it in the mail, I thought: This was $400, but it should be $1,000. The intricacies, the pattern, it literally has a gravitational weight to it. And when you look at what the actual original cost was in the 80s and 90s, $400-$600, and when you adjust for inflation, and the amount of time and labor and energy and effort that was put into making them, they absolutely would be over a thousand dollars.
Each one of these sweaters took a total of nine days, about six to eight working hours to make. Coogi was the first clothing company introduced into the Smithsonian Museum. They figured out how to do a three-dimensional plane using colors, creating all this depth, texture, and pattern, unlike anything ever seen before. The quality of these 30-plus-year-old sweaters is brand new. They are truly wearable pieces of art.”
Mimiko Mao, 30
“My clothing is from a Chinese brand called Mona Ready to Wear, the shoes are from Bowstring, which is also a Chinese brand, and the bag is a vintage Care Bears bag.
I sell here twice a month. My brand focuses on Y2K-inspired accessories, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. I also create some original handmade ceramic pieces, so a lot of the items are one-of-a-kind and made in small batches.”
India, 34
“I am wearing 70s Levis, Joan and David horse-bit loafers, vintage suede belt, and this little shirt I love that has red embroidery and little hearts on it.
In LA, Squaresville is always a great place to shop. I also love the Santa Monica Flea Market, and Pickwick Vintage when you’re looking for nicer items.”
Sheba Jade, 19
“I’m wearing some thrifted UK pants, Tecova cowgirl boots, a ringer tee, a leather jacket, a Western belt, and a Jimi Hendrix scarf around my leg. My style icons are David Bowie, Lena Naomi, and Jimi Hendrix. My favorite thrifting spots in LA are Crossroads at Melrose and the Rose Bowl Flea Market.”
Patrick, 69
“I’m wearing a Dries van Noten jacket, black jeans, and Converse because my feet are killing me. The hat is from the New York Hat Company. They make caps that fit my head, so I have a lot of them in different colors. It’s my signature style. At the flea markets, I am always looking to find bracelets, lots of bracelets.”
Vigo, 34
“I am wearing Vivienne Westwood pants and shoes and a Valentino blazer. And my backpack is by The Row. Today I’m looking for last-minute bits and bobbles for my friends for the Christmas holidays. My tip for finding a good gift: Gravitate to things that catch your eye. The things will find you.”
Anthony, 37
“I’m wearing some items that I thrifted and found: Doc Marten loafers, pants from Cos, a thrifted shirt, and a hat I bought at a Chinatown holiday pop-up. I love coming to The Trading Post to find different things. It’s mostly at flea markets where I find a lot of my stuff these days.”
Nelson, 45
“I am wearing a 70s t-shirt, Wrangler flare pants, and Paco ankle boots, and my silver jewelry. I sell vintage here at Melrose Trading Post every Sunday: everything from jackets to work pants, dresses, and t-shirts. People should come and visit Melrose Trading Post because it’s very unique, there are a lot of vendors with different styles, and everybody is friendly. We have a good time every time we come here. We are all family. If you want to have a good time on Sunday, just come and see us!”
Dan
“Today I have on the Saint Laurent boots, my favorite socks that are Hawaiian print, my vintage Wrangler (I’m always in Wranglers), Christian Dior sweater vests and a bolo tie that has a crane on it, plaid shirt with a mock neck collar, some cheap $10 glasses, and my beret that is special because it is from an independent artist in Portland.
I’ve been selling vintage at Melrose Trading Post here for about 18 years. I had a store for a while, but I found out that I’m much more of a market-type guy. I like to be busy finding new things during the week and then bringing them all to sell on the weekends. All the vendors here are like family to me; I know every one of them. I like the community here.”
Justin, 29
“I’m wearing a Stussy shirt, thrifted boots from 10 Ft Single by Stella Dallas in Brooklyn, jeans from Korea, and a hat my wife just got for me for Christmas off Poshmark. The bag is actually a paper stand I just bought here from J Martin Furniture.”
Vera, 42
“I’m wearing an all-thrifted outfit. This shirt was thrifted somewhere in Hong Kong. The boots I found at an estate sale in West Virginia, when I was traveling for work. Melrose Trading Post is one of my favorite places to thrift in Los Angeles, and that’s why I brought my fiancée here today, because he needs a new wardrobe! I also love Jet Rag.
My tip for thrifting at a flea market: Don't look for things that are trendy now; it's better to look for things that are more handmade. There's a vintage kimono store here that I love. I have bought several kimonos from them; some I wear as they are, and some I have cut shorter. Some I have also used on TV shows for which I have designed costumes.”
Melrose Trading Post
7850 Melrose Avenue
Every Sun 9am-5pm
@melrosetradingpost
90s Coogi sweater