Diane Merrick

Diane Merrick is the shopping destination for any gal working hard to hone the typical LA look: Think True Religion jeans and Juicy Couture sweatsuits. (The boutique is a whole lot like Kitson but without the security guard and the rest of that snotty hullabaloo.) Owner Merrick first set up shop on Melrose Avenue in 1972, but eventually got too big for her Rock & Republics. She can now be found in a bigger and brighter space on Beverly Boulevard that resembles a cozy, all-white museum. Mirrored antique furniture houses T-shirt brands like Splendid, Ella Moss, C+C, James Perse, Zooey and Nation. Omnipresent Buddha figures are perched among the merchandise, perhaps answering questions like: "Should I get this superhot La Rok top or a new pair of skinny J Brands?" The boutique also offers belts, bags, flip-flops, intimate apparel and a very impressive selection of antique jewelry hand-picked by Merrick herself. To help her clients relax, she serves cookies and sparkling water in the makeshift living room at the front of the boutique (there's even a fireplace!). We like to sit down and pet the dog before we start shopping. —Lien Ta

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