I'm partnering with Rent.com to share with you my version of a perfect day in Downtown LA and the outfits to wear at every stop!
{SHOP}
Although New York is THE fashion mecca, LA comes a very close second as many of the most well-known contemporary brands like BCBG, Guess, Trina Turk, and many high-end denim brands are headquartered in Downtown LA. The Fashion District is a retail smorgasbord as you can find local vendors selling everything from drapes to lingerie on Santee Alley while neighboring New Mart and Cooper Building house hundreds of showrooms repping fashion's most sought out contemporary and indie brands. On the last Friday of every month, many of these showrooms hold sample sales and open their doors to the public. It's where the fashionistas go for the best deals.
{BRUNCH}
Cafe Gratitude in the Arts Districts is the quintessential grub hub for Downtown creatives. Boasting an inventive and absolutely delicious vegan menu, I like to wet my appetite with their rose water lemonade or a matcha latte and dig right into a Mucho bowl or the kelp noodle salad. For dessert, I go straight for the cool mint chip milkshake because I'm at a vegan restaurant which means everything is calorie free, right? Food aside, the decor is airy, minimalistic, beautiful and inspires a sense of peace and gratitude. Nothing but positive vibes here.
{SOAK}
I don't really know what to say about The Broad that hasn't been said already. It's the newest museum to hit Downtown's museum block and boasts an impressive roster that includes Koons, Lichtenstein, Warhol and Basquiat. Although it's free to the public, you still have to reserve tickets so if you're not a planner, I recommend showing on a random weekday before the museum opens to snatch up no-show tickets. Once inside, sign up immediately to see The Infinity Room!
{PLAY}
Once the sun sets, I like to hang out near the cluster of restaurants and bars that line the nook between Little Tokyo and the Arts District. There's Umami for burgers and sweet potato tots, Wurstkuche if you're in the mood for exotic ground meats stuffed into casing, and Pie Hole for sweet and savory comfort food. I always default to the pumpkin pie and matcha latte with boba at Urth Cafe for dessert and for post-meal shenanigans, I have plenty of options that don't involve just standing at a bar or raging out at a club. If I'm feeling nostalgic, I go to EightyTwo barcade to play Pacman. If I'm feeling active, I head to XLanes for bowling and karaoke. And if I'm feeling competitive, I go to Angel City Brewery to school my friends in board games.
Photos by Anya Kernes
So much to do, so little time! I'm pooped just writing about it!
