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Best Places To Go Back-To-School Shopping In Los Angeles

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(credit: istockphoto)

As summer turns its final corner, it's time to start thinking about back-to-school shopping. Getting to the head of the class begins with finding the perfect spot for all fashion essentials, and these five boutiques will get you ready in style. Looking for more inspiration, check out our past articles on LA's Shops For Back-To-School Shopping and LA's Best Shops for School Clothes.

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(credit: Kitson)

kitson at Glendale Galleria
100 W Broadway
Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 637-8400 
www.shopkitson.com

Known as Southern California's celebrity-inspired hub, kitson's new Glendale Galleria location will outfit your mini-me for back to school. Easily accessible since its first store on Robertson Blvd., kitson is frequented by Hollywood's most elite and you may just find your school fashion agenda on the pages of gossip rags such as US Magazine and Star Magazine. Choose from cult brands including 3x1 Denim, Lazypants, MIH Jeans, Sol Angeles, Bleulab, Homies, Boy London, Yosi Samra, Lauren Moshi and Autumn Cashmere for super cute pre-fall trends. Look cool while sitting on the lawn during lunch in a pair of Ziggy Le Specs or sport your animal nature while wearing Steve Madden Lanii slip-ons in leopard.  

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(credit: Chrystal W./Yelp)

Urban Outfitters
1440 Third St Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-1404
www.urbanoutfitters.com

With locations throughout the city, Urban Outfitters offers a great variety of clothes that are perfect for back-to-school attire. While you may be thinking this store is too edgy, think again. The store offers standard khaki pants with great fits and button-down shirts that are anything but out there. From shoes to accessories, pants, shirts, and more, Urban Outfitters offers top options at affordable prices.

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(credit: Anna Y./Yelp)

H&M
Century City Mall
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 843-9543
www.hm.com

If you're looking for the latest and greatest in clothing with a trendy, yet appropriate style, H&M is the perfect place to shop for back to school clothing. Locations around the city including Pasadena, Century City, Hollywood and elsewhere offer up clothes for both kids and young adults. From button down shirts to sweatshirts, pants, shoes, shorts, socks and more, you can bet on H&M to deliver something you'll love for a great price.

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(credit: Brandy Melville)

Brandy Melville
1413 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 434-1945
www.brandymelvilleusa.com

The beachy vibe of the Santa Monica kid is not just a hippie-inspired whim any more. Brandy Melville has tried-and-true trends that your teen will fall head-over-heels for. A staple on the Third Street Promenade, Brandy Melville gives you a relaxed, carefree style that will help ease any first day of school jitters. Be the epitome of the city you live in and check out the Veena Los Angeles Sweater. The burgundy, sporty, striped sweater is perfect for that first Friday night football game. The Braided Leather Backpack may not fit all of your school books, but will certainly be enough room for your phone and lipgloss.

Related: LA Shops for Back-to-School Shopping

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(credit: Ann R./Yelp)

Lorna Jane
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-7700
www.lornajane.com

You don't have to be a fitness fiend to sport the super cute workout gear from Lorna Jane. Keep cool while looking great in any of the activewear trends the brand has to offer. Lorna Jane has sports bras perfect for cheer practice or yoga-style pants that give you a sporty look without the sweat. Graphic tees will continue to make themselves heard for back to school. Cute tees such as the Game Time T-Shirt, Elke Tank and More T-Shirt will be great conversation starters with this year's quarterback and his friends.

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(credit: Hard Tail)

Hard Tail Forever
Sold at Yoga Works
2215 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 272-5641
www.hardtailforever.com

Another brand that has transitioned from the untouchable workout-only style to an everyday, casual and comfortable fashion trend is Hard Tail Forever. A favorite amongst celebrity starlets, Hard Tail is a shop you will not want to miss for back-to-school styles. Truly a chic-meets-beach brand, Hard Tail cotton separates can be combined together, or come up with your own mix-and-match collaboration with existing pieces in your closet. With the heat still sizzling when the bell rings, keep cool while showing off bronzed legs in either the Skinny Knee Skirt or Shirred Poet Skirt.

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Runway Fashion Exchange
24135 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 254-7999
www.runwayfashionexchange.com

A fantastic hidden fashion secret, Runway Fashion Exchange is your opportunity to get in on the haute celeb trends and showcase them on the high school catwalk for back to school. Runway Fashion Exchange makes shopping very simple and your wallet extremely happy because it does exactly what its name says – exchange. Simply shop your closet for items you are bored with, pieces that don't fit or just haven't seen sunlight in a few years, and bring them into the store. Make sure they are gently used and clean for the new owner. Drop off your fashions and accessories and then you are free to shop or "exchange" for trends of your choice. Runway Fashion Exchange could also be your ticket to a new homecoming dress too.

Related: LA's Best Shops For School Clothes

Jennifer Geisman is a freelance writer and faithful beauty junkie living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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