Polkadots and Moonbeams
8367 & 8381 W 3rd St
(Between Orlando & Kings Road)
Modern: 323 655-3880
Vintage: 323-651-1746
polkadotsandmoonbeams.com

Another gem, or gems, on 3^rd Street by the Beverly Center, Polkadots & Moonbeams is broken up into two separate locations: a modern and vintage. I spent my time in the Vintage area because it was like walking into a candy store at Disney Land and losing sight of the door. The entrance outside is lined with tutus of various colors, making it look like cotton candy. When you walk in, all the vintage pieces are so well put together, the pearls are like gumballs and the knits are like multi-colored strings of licorice.

Personally, I'm on the fence about vintage apparel. I love getting a deal on something unique and of course love exclaiming "It's vintage!" when someone asks where I got the piece, but I do have one hard and fast rule for vintage apparel at this point in my life: if it's more than I would spend on it had it never been worn before, I won't buy it. Let's face it, vintage is a fancy word for "used" and if it looks used, feels used, there is no need for it to be hugely expensive just because it happens to be a trendy boutique in a cool part of town. Someone else has sweat in that article of clothing you are about to call your own.

With that said, Polkadots & Moonbeams does not overly hike up the price for their pieces. The price on my favorite items was about the same, or less, than what I would have spent had it been brand new. The difference at this place over some other vintage stores is that the quality of merchandise is really great and I did not find any stains or discoloration (yellowish collars instead of white, for example). I loved, loved, loved a raw silk coat with faux fur ¾ sleeve trim and it was only $168. I could see myself channeling Jackie O, while walking down Melrose in 90 degree heat. They carried my favorite shoe designer, Dolce Vita, with a Fall '09 shoe, but no price on them unfortunately. They would look great with my new coat, though. Under the coat, I could wear this white silk shift dress with crochet black knitting that was $145-worth the price! Then to lighten up my very proper new wardrobe, I could have gotten this great knit multi colored vest, channeling the styles of Free People, but not quite as expensive, running a cool $78.

All in all, I was impressed. I wish I spent more time in the other store. I probably would have had it not been half way up the block but actually connected or right next door. They seemed to have very cool clientele, which is always a good sign of a great neighborhood staple as well.