FROM SAN DIEGO TO SANTA BARBARA, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUES IN THE WORLD. MANY ARE WIDELY KNOWN, EITHER AS EXTENSIONS OF LARGE FASHION HOUSES OR SECTIONS OF POPULAR DEPARTMENT STORES. THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLING OF SMALLER, INDEPENDENT BOUTIQUES THAT AREN'T AS FAMOUS BUT WHOSE CLOTHING IS EVERY BIT AS FASHIONABLE.
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A. Mason features feminine clothing with a French flair. An eclectic array ranging from gauzy corseted tops to embellished vintage Chanel jackets fuses romantic retro with current trends. Designers: Cynthia Rose, Amy Mitton, Edward An. 134 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 205-6900.--Heather John
Aero & Co. is the brainchild of designer Cynthia Vincent and Alisa Loftin. This is the place to find the latest in Los Angeles designers, with one-of-a-kind pieces from Magda Berliner and Alicia Lawhon, and offerings from up-and-comers. Designers: Brian Lichtenberg, Rami Kashou, Grey Ant. 8403 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles; (323) 653-4651.--H.J.
American Rag & Cie., the flagship store of what began in 1985 as a hipster vintage clothing boutique, has since expanded to include current trends from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Comme des Garcons and other pricey youth-oriented designers. Designers: Lacoste, Levi's Premium, Twinkle. 150 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 935-3154.--H.J.
Angel is for the young and body-conscious. The strappy tees and low-rise pants are spare and sexy, and there's oodles of the requisite Juicy Couture and form-fitting wear from Blue Cult. This is the newest outlet in the Wendy Foster empire; the longtime Santa Barbaran also has two stores in Montecito and another in downtown Santa Barbara. Designers: Three Dots, Rebecca Beeson, Susana Monaco. 1221 Coast Village Road, Santa Barbara; (805) 565-1599.--Ann Herold
Beige is the place to go for a first look at contemporary Los Angeles designers, with many one-of-a-kind offerings. The staff is approachable and friendly, and chatty regulars make themselves at home in Le Corbusier chairs. Designers: Michelle Mason, Loy & Ford, Gary Graham, Tree. 7274 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 549-0064.--H.J.
B.Luu means there's no need to drive into L.A. to find cutting-edge fashion anymore. For two years it has been a Pasadena source for Marc by Marc Jacobs separates, as well as for other hot young contemporary lines. Designers: Tyler, Mason, Blue Cult, Shoshanna. Paseo Colorado, 340 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 135, Pasadena; (626) 792-4140.--Booth Moore
