Santee Alley Prom Shopping Guide

Image Bridesmaid & Quinceañera, 1026 Santee St.

Prom dress? Check. Heels? Check. Accessories? Check. Tuxedo, tie, and dress shoes? Check, check, check! Santee Alley has everything you need for prom, and in this post we're going to help you find it.

For those of you who are new to the area, Santee Alley takes up two blocks of the LA Fashion District and offers special occasion apparel, accessories, and footwear for men and women at steeply discounted prices. The alley is located between Maple Avenue and Santee Street from Olympic Boulevard to 12th Street.

Prom Dresses
The majority of prom dress stores are located on Santee Street between Olympic and 12th. There is one dedicated special occasion dress store located inside Santee Alley - Top Star (pictured above) - and many women’s apparel stores will stock special occasion dresses during the prom season (March-June). There’s also a couple stores located on Maple Avenue between Olympic Boulevard and 12th Street.

Heels & Special Occasion Shoes
We have at least a dozen women’s shoe stores in the area carrying heels, sandals, wedges, and flats in all colors. Shoes typically range from $15-30. See some of the shoe store’s we’ve featured on this blog: Betty’s Shoes, Cherry-4U (pictured above), Sensual Steps, Forever Shoes, I Heart Fashion, and Instagram favorite – Lola Shoetique.

Jewelry & Accessories
The majority of jewelry and accessories stores are located on Santee Street between Olympic Boulevard and 11th Street. Inside the alley you will also find Halo Handbags, LA Purses, Fashion Fantasia (pictured above) and Accessories High Bijoux.

Cebu, 1022 Santee St.

Fashion Vogues, 1008-B Santee St.

For the Guys

We’re not just girly glitz and glamour here, we’ve got the boy’s covered too! You can actually buy a suit for the same price or under the cost of a rental. Suits are often sold in package deals that include a tie, shirt, and various accessories. Most package deals are offered for about $100. 

Suit stores can be found throughout the Santee Alley on Maple Avenue, Santee Street, and inside the alley including Bucci and BZ Studio.

Aron Imani, 1013 Maple Ave.

Want to know more abouSee our previous post on saving money for prom here. Questions? Tweet us! @shopsanteealley or message us on Facebook.

Top Star Prom and Special Occasion Gowns for Women and Girls

Past the sunglasses and handbags at the entrance of 1039 Santee Alley you'll find Top Star. The special occasion women's and children's wear store specializing in  flower girl, first communion, and baptism gowns, prom dresses, and special evening gowns. Styles vary from more conservative Mother of the Bride gowns to fun and flirty dresses for prom and graduation parties. They also carry tuxedos for boys.

New styles are added weekly and tailoring is available. For purchase or pricing inquiries please contact store manger Michelle at 213-747-9113.

Girls dresses are available in children and tween sizes.

Top Star
1039 S. Maple Ave. inside Santee Alley
213-747-9113

How to save money on prom at Santee Alley

According to a recent report published by USA Today, the average family will spend $1,078 on prom this year. That’s almost $300 more than the average in 2011. The report states the average girl will spend $231 on her dress and $45 on her shoes. The average boy will spend $127 on his tux and another $100 on accessories including shoes and a tie. The average cost for a corsage is $20 and $10 for a boutonniere.

That’s over $500 on just outfits! Not to mention dinner, limo rides and the actual prom. We headed down the alley and found that you can save up to 50% by buying your prom outfit at the Fashion District. You can even go to the Flower District and make your own corsage and boutonniere!

Dress: Average Cost $100-150

Conny's Dress
1149 Santee St.
213-999-3788

Conny's Dress
1149 Santee St.
213-999-3788

Conny's Dress
1149 Santee St.
213-999-3788

Tux: Average cost $89.00, starting as low as $49.99, includes tie and shirt

Available in Fashion and Slim Fits.
Gold Man
Quality Men's Wear
1132 S. Santee St. #H
213-746-4860

Available in Fashion and Slim Fits.
Gold Man
Quality Men's Wear
1132 S. Santee St. #H
213-746-4860

New Store Alert: Via Mimi

Via Mimi, a women’s apparel boutique opened on Santee Street last week. We stopped by yesterday to check it out and found the boutique offers everything from evening dresses, to women’s tops, skirts and sportswear. Expect to find department store brand names such as, Morrell Maxie, Louise Ricci, Moshita, and Susanna.

While much of Via Mimi’s inventory caters to an older female audience, the boutique's unique selection of gorgeous evening gowns and affordable jewelry and accessories is guaranteed to please all age groups.

Our favorites: Leopard bracelet, and pearl and rhinestone cluster earrings

Jewelry and accessories range from $10-45.

Insider Tip: Via Mimi will be adding more inventory over the next few days. Plan your trip to Santee Alley soon to get first-dibs!

See something you like, but wished it fit better? Via Mimi offers on-site alterations. They also speak Spanish.

Via Mimi
1333 Santee St.
213-748-6464

Store Spotlight: Black Cat Dulcci Vetan

Santee is constantly changing. New stores emerge, sometimes they close, but one store has remained in business for the past 22 years. Black Cat Dulcci Vetan is a veteran on Santee, formerly at the Santee Fashion Alley, it moved to its location at 1336 Santee Street four years ago.

Black Cat specializes in prom and evening dress and carries some of the most sought after brands including, Jovanni, Paparazzi by Mori Lee, Mac Duggal, Faviana, and their signature Dulcci Vetan.

“We have already begun selling for prom,” said Valla Fahimian, owner of Black Cat. “Beaded dresses, both long and short, are very popular this year.”

Also popular according to the Black Cat staff, is the “trumpet” silhouette (pictured above in pink), which is the second most requested after style after the “fully-beaded”. Another big request from shoppers is detail, whether embroidery, beading, lace or appliqué.

Black Cat aims to make the shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for the shopper. Friendly staff is on hand to help with fitting rooms and finding sizes. They also offer special ordering for sizes or styles they don’t have in stock, as well as on-site tailoring.

Black Cat is open 7 days a week.
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m

1336 South Santee St.
213-748-0878
blackcatfashion@att.net