The best shops in Echo Park

LA local Whitney Bickers takes the helm at this Echo Park womenswear boutique, which features a bevy of female designers. Myrtle's hand-picked collection (think: Ten Over Six meets Anthropologie) includes everything from vegan lip balms and bridal gowns to silk baseball tees and vintage jewelry, all beautifully crafted by more than fifty makers from all over the world. Some of our favorite picks: printed canvas pouches from Maptote, '90s inspired prints from Dusen Dusen and silk satin graphic dresses from Samantha Pleet. Tip: Follow the shop's Instagram for new arrivals and to stalk their style.

The pieces at this Echo Park store—the LA outpost of Esqueleto Oakland in Temescal Alley—are artfully arrayed among cacti, ceramics, sharks’ teeth and cattle skulls (esqueleto is Spanish for "skeleton," after all). Though the space is loosely inspired by the Southwest, the jewelry and accessories are thoroughly modern, from marcasite earrings by Melissa Joy Manning to statement wall hangings by Heather Levine. You'll find a mix of dainty and bold styles here, such as Satomi Kawakita’s miniature yellow gold studs and slender engagement bands or owner Lauren Wolf’s eye-catching claw rings showcasing sapphire, ruby and agate. Local artists are showcased bi-monthly—from screenprinters to ceramicists—making the shop a great place to keep tabs on LA's artistic community.

This Echo Park outpost of Oakland's Temescal Alley locale offers simple and sophisticated womenswear, all designed and produced in California. Leather satchels, wool sweater coats and colorblock shift dresses are just a few of the trendy (but not too trendy) wares to be found in the streamlined, white-and-wood boutique. Located just next to door to fellow Oakland transplant, jewelry shop Esqueleto, Ali Golden is the place to stock your entire wardrobe with classy Bay Area-style basics without having to leave this small stretch of Sunset Boulevard.

This record shop, music label and community fixture is a thin sliver of brick-and-mortar awesome. It's open every day and hosts at least one or two in-store shows per week, often with free pizza from Two Boots next door. Origami also hosts Record Club on Tuesdays at El Prado across the street, where vinyl collectors can bring in an album to be played at the bar in return for a free drink. Origami's involvement doesn't stop there—they're hugely active in events such as Record Store Day, as well as local fests like FYF, Echo Park Rising and Culture Collide, hosting bands and sidewalk sales. And the folks behind the counter are just the right type of music snob—they know their stuff and can help you find what you're looking for, but won't make you feel like a loser for not knowing as much as they do (and trust us, you don't). They're genuinely happy to be there and want to share their excitement and knowledge with you, which means every time you go in you'll see a friendly face, learn something new and walk out with some great tunes.

Burrowed between Echo Park's Mohawk Bend and iam8bit gallery sits this chicly arranged womenswear boutique—your new go-to for high-rise denim, trench coats and cable-knit sweaters. The clean, neutral-colored clothing and accessories, back-dropped by white exposed brick walls, appear to be part of a cohesive original collection—but 90 percent of the boutique's stash is actually carefully curated vintage. After assembling an au courant wardrobe of quilted jackets and '90s jeans, swing past the shop's apothecary section to stock your beauty stash with toner and face oil from indie brands like Earth tu Face.

Hats are the main game at this rustic Echo Park menswear shop. Find well-crafted snapbacks, 5-panels, beanies and bucket hats, fashioned from unique prints and fabrics like leather and (dudely) paisley, and adorned with stylish handmade logos. Pick up a camo jacket, some white shades and a pair of desert-patterned socks to round out your collection of classic LA accessories.

Suckers for pretty stationary don't stand a chance of exiting this charming pastel-saturated gift boutique without maxing out their bauble budget. Delicately printed throw pillows and photo frames are among the many irresistible trinkets to be found among the shop's signature collection of punny hand-drawn greeting cards (which offer messages like "Beach, Please" and "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animals"). If you're in search of a birthday gift for your best friend, Hanukkah gift for grandma, no-reason gift for yourself or simply a colorful pick-me-up, swing by any day but Monday between 10am and 6pm.