Los Angeles : Lucky Magazine

Anouk

This is the best spot in the Malibu Country Mart for those bohemian-tinged pieces that work so well at the beach. Anouk Krueger opened her wood-lined space two years ago and devotes most of the real estate to L.A. designers. There are tops from Deener, Dolan dresses, and Calleen Cordero shoes, all deftly mixed with Matta caftans and Tocca slips. Plus, she just started producing an in-house line of soft leather sandals and equestrian-style boots.

3900 S. Cross Creek Rd., No. 2, 310-456-2428, anoukshowroom.com

Anthropologie

The Beverly Hills outpost of Anthropologie has the best selection of exquisite flea-market-esque home goods, as well as picks from its exclusive collaborations, including vintage-inspired slipdresses from Tracy Reese.

211 S. Beverly Dr., 310-385-7390, anthropologie.com

Balenciaga

There was a ton of hype when Balenciaga opened in early 2008, and the excitement was entirely justified. The space is huge, supremely cool (it's dotted with asteroid-like tables and has an exposed-wood-beam ceiling), and packed with teetering stilettos and zipper-festooned handbags.

8670 Melrose Ave., 310-854-0557, balenciaga.com

Banana Republic

The Santa Monica Promenade is home to a Banana Republic flagship, which means that you'll find more of its chic, polished separates here than you will elsewhere in the city. Plus, it also hosts the new BR Monogram Collection, which is a small range of truly exquisite limited-edition dresses and tops.

1202 Third St. Promenade, 310-394-7740, bananarepublic.com

Barneys Co-op

The slightly younger and more affordable companion to Barneys is also more boutique-like: Expect a supremely well-curated array of picks from labels like Daryl K and Alexander Wang. The Grove location is the edgiest of the three area Co-ops.

189 The Grove Dr., 323-761-5255, barneys.com/co-op

Barneys New York

This New York–based fashion emporium has a well-earned reputation for discovering some of fashion's biggest stars. There are loads of lines—like Surface to Air and Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair—here that are hard to find even in some of the most progressive local boutiques.

9570 Wilshire Blvd., 310-276-4400, barneys.com

BCBG Max Azria

The Beverly Hills branch is BCBG Max Azria's biggest in the city, but we like the glam new Melrose location best: It has piles of long dresses, along with more casual tops and countless bags and shoes.

8400 Melrose Ave., 323-782-0238, bcbg.com

Beckley

At celebrated L.A. restaurateur Melissa Richardson's first foray into retail, a fairyland theme prevails. Rebecca Minkoff bags rest on oversize crickets; a silver tree is dotted with Loeffler Randall heels; and soaring sheets of metal with laser cutouts of flowers snake through the rooms, separating the eveningwear (Chris Benz gowns) from the casual selects (Paul & Joe tops).

8620 Melrose Ave., 310-652-3500, beckleyla.com

Belle Gray

Though there's no lack of sophisticated pieces at this cozy boutique, Belle Gray really shines when it comes to more casual basics like tees, shorts, and jeans. Also a big hit: Madison Marcus tops and Genetic Denim jeans.

13812 Ventura Blvd., 818-789-4021, bellegray.com

Benefit

Despite the fact that it's a chain, this extremely well-conceived beauty resource fits right in on independent-boutique-laden Third Street—which makes this location our favorite, even though the Santa Monica spot is bigger.

8387 W. Third St., 323-944-0600; 1210A Montana Ave., 310-458-6800, benefitcosmetics.com