Wasteland

High-end used fashion store. They purchase designer clothing , accessories & handbags. Side door entry for selling items. It's a hit and miss on finding a deal on some items. Some things are tattered quite a bit. So you must weigh your options on the condition and your budget. There is a fitting room area along with a designated attendant. No public restrooms. Street parking only. Which can be tough to find a spot. Make sure you don't park in any private spaces or permit only spots.

This store is a total rip-off, and they don’t allow returns. As an LA native, I would not shop in this store. Melrose Ave. is full of stores with actual designers who work right there in the stores. These designers are actually part of our community and something where you can purchase something unique from Los Angeles. You are better off buying something NEW at any other store on Melrose - it will be better quality AND cost you significantly less. Wasteland is overpriced garbage, this place feels like a landfill with marked up prices.

I absolutely loved Wasteland! The negative reviews are from people thinking this is a thrift store...and it is absolutely not a thrift store (nor do they claim to be one?). It's a highly curated vintage and gently used designer clothing store. And I genuinely thought the items were extremely reasonable. I saw 90s JNCOs for $78...they're upwards of $500 on Depop. Also, Julius (who was the dressing room attendant) is an absolute delight and made my trip into the store! He is obviously very knowledgeable in fashion and just super personable. I highly recommend checking them out!

I went to sell a bag and a belt today and the treatment I received was disappointing and insulting. After 3 different people looking at the bag, and the belt, the man who was looking at it, smelled it right in front of me to see if it smelled fake. I have never felt so belittled. I will never in my life shop here or consign. Your employees do not know how to check high quality items, as well as assumed the bag and belt was fake because of my appearance. The woman said she could not authenticate the bag because there was no serial numbers, but 2020 and after LV bags have micro chips. Their lack of knowledge and poor skills of judgment and honestly pure bias is the cause of this review. Please do better with your sales associates.

I walked into Wasteland with a Louis Vuitton messenger bag, and within just 3-5 minutes, the mixed lady tried to inspect it and pass it off like it wasn’t real. She offered a $250 check while trying to resell the item for $850. It was clear she thought I was slow or unaware, but I caught her in the lies instantly. She looked me in the eyes, trying to play me, but it only made me realize how unprofessional and shady they are. Never coming back here again.💯

I pulled items to try on in the dressing room. I came out to switch items since I could only take 6 at a time. I confirmed with David which items were mine and made sure nothing was mixed with other items before trying them on. When I came back to try on my remaining items, several of the luxury items I selected were missing. I asked the staff if they were out back on the floor, but they said it was unlikely because they were not in the section for put backs. David was on break and there was no way for me to get the items back. Incredibly disappointing experience for a repeat customer.

I’ve been there 10-15 times and spent around $5k for designer items. You can find good deals, but mostly they have overpriced, not in good condition items and especially in men’s clothing there are some fakes. The vibe is weird and they have attitude. Also the music is so loud and the pretty bad sound quality giving you a headache. So..to the point. The only reason I decided to write this review is because of my today’s experience. It’s the first time in my life a sales assistant tried to fooled me. I was there 30 minutes ago, at the front desk, paying for a bag and a Fendi dress.($500) They usually have lots of alarms on the expensive clothes. So I asked the girl in the front if I could check the fabric for holes after she removed the alarms. She said yes and showed me the side seam. Everything seemed ok, no holes or marks. While I was waiting her to count the money I took the dress myself and checked the side seam. And at that moment i saw the holes on the fabric from the alarms and realised that she tried to played me before, by showing me the other side of the dress. Of course I asked for refund. And of course she never admitted that she showed me the other side. She even told me that those are not holes..it’s the fabric.! So people be careful with them. For those who don’t know, this store does not accept returns. (Only if you done authenticity check on the item you bought and have proof that it’s fake.) So If I hadn’t check it myself before leaving the store, I could not be able to return it. I’m putting photo of the sale receipt and the refund. Update 8/5 Thanks for the response to my review It’s true I didn’t mentioned the 10% discount on the bag because has nothing to do with what happened with the dress. I asked for a better price on the bag before anything happened, before I even finish shopping. The reason I asked for a better deal is because the bag you were selling as new, without tags, protecting paper/stickers or dust bag (or any responsibility after purchasing) was on sale online,for $10 more, at one of the biggest online stores, brand new full set with free deliver/ returns and also coverage for defective items. I told that to the girl that helped me. So the discount it’s a different story. Also you said that I failed to mention the material of the dress. And it’s true. But there is a huge difference between holes from the alarms on the side seam and the design of the fabric even if it’s mesh fabric with holes.

Whoa. This is the most epic of used clothes stores ever!!! The variety of high end and vintage articles is off the hook. Very interesting selection, not just clothing for the sake of the label, but because it's eye catching. Good job buyers, keeping it all interesting, even if some of it is on the pricey side. It's s a very fun dig. Great vibe too.

I've been to Wasteland for a total of 3 times so far and it's always fun to browse. They have clothing, shoes, accessories and handbags. Prices aren't that cheap but you can find fast fashion to mid luxury brands (LoveShackFancy, Ganni etc) to designer brands. I have seen a Balenciaga skirt and a Chanel vest here but prices are very high. I did purchase a vintage white dress for about $50 on my 3rd try here. Plenty of fitting rooms.

Great store - well laid out. You'd never guess this was a vintage store. Staff is friendly. Quality of the items run the gamut of pristine to somewhat moth-ridden but there is a wide variety of brands to be found. Pricing is good, but not always commensurate with condition. There are really good deals to be found here. This will definitely be a must go every time I'm in town!

Sadly showed up at 5:59 with clothing to sell and was turned away before I even stepped over the door frame. I guess they stop accepting clothing for appraisal by 6pm (even though I can't find this notated anywhere online). I wanted to leave a tip on this page, but could only leave a review.

Stopped by while shopping in the area and then returned to shop again two weeks later. I was able to find some great pieces the first trip and much better than retail price. They have a nice sized dressing room. They have a lot of inventory so prepare to spend some time looking through it all.

Great store for vintage clothing especially if you're looking for high end resale. Wasteland has plenty of goods from clothing to shoes and accessories. Price points range. I got a few pieces of jewelry that was on par with say H&M, cheap yeah but you could also walk away with a pair of Burberry Sunglasses that retail for 700.00 for like 250.00. Staff is fun and friendly but the wrap stand is confusing. Cashiers are in a big circle so it's unclear where you should stand in terms of forming a line. I would definitely check them out if you're in the area.

Wasteland is at the top of our list for high end, limited edition and hard to find vintage clothing. The store is well-organized and clean. Prices are reasonable for the quality, especially when you consider the work that goes into the item selections, displays and the overall shopping experience. The staff is always friendly. Street parking is fairly easy to find. There are similar stores in the area, but none compare to Wasteland.

The employee named Oren was knowledgeable and passionate about the clothing. He helped me get to the dressing room and he helped me find my Special outfit for my fancy night :)

Wow how the mighty have fallen... this store used to be amazing before corona virus, now it's full of tacky items with July/August tags... in October & a bunch of strung out looking 20 year olds behind the counter who know nothing about fashion. Even the way they tag the items is so uncool, they don't tag seams or tags they just make holes in everything. The store is pretty much empty, all there is to browse is tacky stripper looking shoes and jeans from July. They have about 20 sweaters in the designer section, just so disappointing this place used to be amazing! Bring back old management and staff!!

Wasteland is always one of my favorite Melrose thrift stores. I have been to LA a couple of times and always stop in because of their selection! Everyone who works there is super kind! They have high value items and a large selection!

Whats not to love about this store! High end designer clothes fairly priced with excellent music playing in the background. This has to be my "go-to " spot for special occasion outfits. The one thing I wish they had more of are Large dresses. Its possible that I showed up on a bad day for dresses as I found plenty of other pieces like tops.

Wasteland Clothing Store on Melrose Avenue is a vintage clothing store that has been around since the early 1980s. It was founded by Joe Swinney and Cheryl Cohen, who had a passion for vintage clothing and saw the potential in creating a retail store that would bring together the best of vintage clothing from around the world. The store quickly became a favorite among celebrities, fashion designers, and trendsetters, and it continues to remain a popular destination for those looking for unique and stylish pieces. I used to shop this location from time to time many years ago but I stopped going as the quality of the items (either vintage or fairly recent year items) began to go downhill. Also the entire shopping experience has just deteriorated. I think the other locations are much much better. Also... you CAN sell your items to this store or the other locations... but there is a high likelihood that you will face rejection.

Love this location, the thrift finds are top tier and the employees (specifically James and Camille who are AWESOME) helped me with advice and tips. Amazing service and great finds. Now this is my favorite location but I'll miss them at the studio city store

Like to shop there selling stuff to them is waste of time unless you owe brands they want... does not matter if your clothes are in great condition of still has tags

Among the top of my list of things to do in LA was some thrifting with the hopes of coming across some designer pieces. Wasteland is certainly the place for that! There are shelves and racks and cases dedicated specifically to housing designer products. However, I'm not sure you're really getting "deals" when shopping there. Stuff is still pretty expensive. If you're on the fence about a particular designer piece, I encourage you to do your due diligence and research. The selection it great. Ranges from high end to popular online boutique. Theres a great selection for men and women and items for various seasons. This is definitely the spot to get the ~LA experience~. Attaching a photo of the pieces I got from there. Tan top - Meshki Tan skirt - I Am Gia blue dress - Meshki Al this came to about $150.

Selling my clothes here is such a breeze and the employees are so nice. They were all talking to their co-workers and laughing, it's nice to see a healthy work environment. Also, the mannequins are styled so nicely and the selection is nice :)

The employees are so nice at this store! I was feeling super lightheaded one day and one of the employees went to the back to get me water. I wish I could remember her name but everyone was so friendly and helpful!!!

Julius helped me find a dress for an event i have tonight and not only were they so incredibly kind but helpful too - i found the perfect dress and made a friend along the way. highly recommend this location. the staff and clothes are amazing 10/10

I make a point to come here when I'm in the area, not for the overall shopping experience, but in hopes that I'll strike gold. Today I got lucky. I found a practically new Wilson's leather jacket and a cute mini skirt that actually fit me. Most of the time when I come here I don't find anything and am quite frankly let down by the overall selection. The employees are sweet and chill. No issue there. I just feel like their selection is all over the place, and not in a good way. You're either paying $100 minimum for a nicer and/or name brand piece, or paying around $20 for a used item from Urban Outfitters. What about more middle of the road items / prices? I do have to say they have some great designer stuff but most people aren't in the market for that. Don't come here expecting to find low prices, even on lower end brands. I paid $28 for a skirt from Urban Outfitters, which isn't god awful but isn't low either. I'm stoked on what I found but I know today was a rarity. I'd say Wasteland is worth the visit if you're in the area and looking for something cool

This place is huge and their stuff, especially there shoes, are amazing! They're not that cheap but I definitely wouldn't have minded getting some of the stuff I tried, if it was my size.

A joke! I brought in Balenciaga clothes and sneakers and a Fendi bag and they told me they don't have authenticaters to there to verify my items, but took them in the back to a manager and STILL could not not authenticate them???? Don't waste your time coming to this place!

first things first: this is a more expensive secondhand store than crossroads/buffalo exchange. because of that, you can find some really cool designer/vintage pieces here, which may or may not be in your price range. it's a fun place to browse, but only occasionally do i end up actually finding something i want in my price range, and that's okay. that is the nature of this store. however, recently i have had some less than stellar experiences here. firstly, because the prices of the items sold here are on the higher side, i naturally assumed that this would therefore be the best place to sell my nicer items. of course i don't want to waste my own time, so i took ONLY my nicest things that i was trying to sell there - trendy and cute pieces from brands like aritzia, i am gia, tigermist, peppermayo, a genuine leather skirt from alice & olivia, a green genuine leather jacket in perfect condition, vintage lingerie from frederick's of hollywood, etc. but in the end, they only wanted to buy one piece from me - a brand new with tags dress from tigermist. they told me they would price it at $22, so they would pay me $6.60 for it. look, it is what it is, it's their right to not buy my items. i do think they were weird for passing on so many of my items because like i said, i only took things there that i thought they might actually buy given the brands i've seen before while shopping there. but i did find it insulting and honestly a little suspicious that they offered to buy my one dress for less than $7. yes, this is pure speculation, but frankly i just found it hard to believe that they would only sell that dress for $22 given the prices i've seen them sell similar items for. so i decided for that price i would rather just keep it and sell to crossroads instead, where i would probably get either the same price or better, and where i can feel confident crossroads will actually sell it for the price they claim they will. i do not think i will try selling here ever again. but the selling experience is not even what left a seriously bad taste in my mouth. after my unsuccessful selling attempt i decided to look around the store and try on some things. one dress i tried on i thought was very cute, but it didn't have any tag on it anywhere, not even a materials tag. wasteland had labeled it as a "women's vintage dress" and priced it at $68. i was seriously considering buying it, but out of curiosity, i took a picture of the dress while in the fitting room and looked it up on google. turns out - that EXACT dress was being sold on amazon for $42. (pictures attached for proof). not vintage AT ALL. so yeah. needless to say i didn't buy the dress. i will continue to shop here, but i would say you should be wary of any item that has no tag and is labeled "vintage". google image search is your friend - use it. maybe it was an honest mistake on the part of whoever took in that item... or maybe it wasn't. but you'd think the buyers here would know better, and would know how to use google. so it feels veeeery shady to me. proceed with caution when shopping here!

This is a strange and odd store, sometimes, if I am lucky enough to find a shirt, or shoes that are amazing, and well priced, its few and far between. Nothing is under 50 bucks. there are tee shirts that are 400$ used, by Gucci, where you can get it new for 400$. SOOO overpriced. the staff is ok, trendy and skinny minnies.

I really liked Wasteland overall. A friend gave me Wasteland actually a destination in the area to park, not necessarily a place to visit, but I decided to stop by anyway. The store is noisy, both from the loud pop music play and the customers milling about looking for cool vintage finds. At first I was slightly overwhelmed by what I was experiencing, but in a good way I suppose. I immediately began looking in the men's area, which I found to be a little small, but overall they had some really great finds. I did think for the most part that the prices were a little over the top, but I get it considering where I was (LA), and if you scoured eBay for some vintage shirts you might see some comparable pricing. Also, Wasteland has some high end brands too so you're getting quality for the price too. I did find a concert t shirt that I had to get. I was waited on by a super friendly associate and off I went. I'd definitely recommend it for someone (probably a girl) looking for vintage fashions who doesn't mind spending a few extra dollars.

There are many great finds here. Many things here are very expensive though. I will definitely be returning for more iconic pieces.

Went in today to sold my beloved dress and I was ready to part with it. I'm grateful there's a place that buys high end designer clothing at any point in time even if I won't get anywhere close to the price I paid for it. Thank you! I'm definitely going to continue selling and buying here. I love the other location also so I am a regular seller and buyer

Amazing selection at better than web prices. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the La area.

Tall and big sized blue eyed dark haired white girl is always snobby and rude she's been there for years! Not sure how cause her customer service skills suck. Anyways if you're selling and you see her at the buying counter...RUN she will judge you the whole time , make your feel uncomfortable and not buy any of your stuff lol. It's like you have to be snobby and rude to get a job at this wasteland. The other one in studio city is better tbh.

Wasteland is like everything and anything else that's stood the rest of time . It's become a Mecca of some sorts, a staple if I must say .

I previously purchased a few items from Wasteland online, but I had been wanting to check out the physical store because I was told there were many more options in person than online. I was not disappointed! I really enjoyed my entire experience as I was met with fun music, spunky decor, and some great thrifting finds. I love that there's a mixture of new, vintage, and luxury so it's really a fun place to visit with friends even if you have different styles and preferences. There are so many rows of different styles of clothing and shoes, so you can really find something for any type of clothing style. I ended up purchasing two items, but I definitely would have shopped around for more if I didn't visit right before closing! To top it off, staff was extremely welcoming and friendly. I loved that I could try on items, and the staff were very accommodating and made some small talk that just puts the cherry on top of this experience. I definitely will return to Wasteland if I'm in the area!

Had always wanted to check this store out when I was on Melrose again. Finally had the chance last weekend. It's a large store with a lot of clothing for both men and women. They also had a large amount of designer bags and shoes locked behind glass. The staff were nice and friendly and said hello a lot. I had wanted to look at Gucci belts and. Lady Dior bag and the staff was patient with me. Although it's possible that one of the Gucci belts I looked at may not have been authentic. I have some myself and the one I looked at didn't have a serial number on the back like they usually do. They have a good selection of high end designer clothing as well. Prices were expected for a store like this. Some pieces I liked from brands were marked off reasonably. They had clothing from Saint Laurent, Prada, Supreme, and more. Definitely fun to spend some time looking around. The styles are really unique and would definitely help make you stand out. I sadly didn't purchase anything this trip I liked but I spent at least 45 min in here browsing and getting an idea for what I like.

Found an employee at wasteland on my instagram feed advertising a keto based meal kit that's delivered to your home.

Great selection and a wide array of designers. Competitively priced compared to other stores (ie RealReal, Decades) one of my favorite places to shop in La

Wasteland on Melrose is for sure one of my go-to spots for great deals on designer pieces! The one thing I always have trouble with designer thrift stores is the men's selection, if there is one! But wasteland has a MASSIVE selection of designer menswear, and every time I go it's usually all new pieces, which makes the thrill of the hunt even more exciting! The staff has always been wonderful while I'm there, they are happy to take any shoes or handbags out of the cases for me. I've been coming here for years and will continue to come! I've found AMAZING deals on Bottega Veneta, Versace, Balenciaga, JPG, Rick Owens ready to wear and it's always priced better than anywhere online. Always happy to go back!

Just... ughhh. I came in here with a bunch of friends for my eighteenth birthday and as soon as we stepped in I knew I was out of my league. Got lots of dirty looks from other shoppers and was not-so-subtly followed around by an employee. Clothes are INSANELY overpriced and while I get that for a lot of designer, almost all of the generic clothes are unreasonable as well. Music was very very loud and it smelled like an Abercrombie and Fitch in 2007. Don't be fooled by the exterior- DO NOT COME IN HERE unless you are a pretentious, young, skinny, rich LA "fashion influencer"

I was singled out to check my bag while a number of other white shoppers with similarly sized bags were not forced to do so. Very weird policy -- either apply it to every shopper or don't make shoppers check bags. I walked in ready and excited to shop and left without having the chance because I was singled out. For being brown? For being gay? Who knows. Avoid.

Inconsistent buying and extra attitude from buyers recently. Plus makes little sense how something purchased in the store only a few weeks before becomes "unacceptable" to bring in again.

Another day of retail therapy!! wasteland is hands down the best place to shop for luxury items. The employee with the pink hair mentioned in my previous review was Michael! He doesn't have pink hair anymore but he is still just as friendly as ever. I think he's a manager there. If he isn't, he should be! He always has a smile on his face and is honestly just so nice. We also end up finding way more items when he's there. He's good at making recommendations. We were looking at a bag in the glass case today and he recommended a few other dresses from the same brand. We ended up buying the dress and a few other items. I love this place! It's def worth the drive if you live a bit further out.

I love shopping here. They have such a great selection of designer vintage, stuff you won't find anywhere else. Service is great, very friendly and helpful, not an issue if you just want to browse in peace either. Prices are pretty high depending on the brand and condition, but I have also found some great deals here. Always something new to discover, on of my favorite stores on Melrose, worth checking out.

I used to sell here but as of late my clothing is "too conservative". I used to buy here also but the designer pieces have become very expensive.

Really expensive prices and seen a jacket going for 100$ and it was ripped ? Wouldn't come here again unless I feel like dropping a few hundred on some items I can find elsewhere

Pretty cool clothes and a good time -- pricey though. As with any thrift(ish) store, be ready to search through a ton of crap to find anything good. They also have more expensive designer stuff, but generally those are the pieces where you can find bargains. If you're looking to find cheap vintage graphic tees and retro crew necks and hoodies for a good price, then go the the Rose Bowl Flea market instead. Good luck all with your shopping

From a sellers view they pay more than crossroads and then other consignment stores so if you have expensive stuff and don't want to sell on Poshmark this is a good option.

Brought some clothes, bags and shoes here to sell. I should have listened to the reviewers here. The store clerk said to me "you don't bring a Coach bag here". Okay. I took my pile and brought them to another store on the same Melrose street and my stuff was sold at $320 including the leather coach bag which was originally $600 and a vintage Pucci. I guess my stuff is "too cheesy and cheap" for Wasteland, I get it.

Disappointed by our thrifting experience at Wasteland on Melrose. I'm still trying to understand the pricing, but for me $98 for a worn and ripped Harvard sweatshirt leaves question marks all the way around my head in the cartoon version of the shopping experience that was my recent trip to their Melrose location. Like, what!?! I think if you love used designer clothing in mostly smaller and petite sizes curated at less than designer prices but definitely at what would be full retail pricing for new items (and this stuff is well used) well then you can find that here, curated and at an extreme premium. But for those who like cost effective treasure hunting, you won't find that type of vintage shopping here.

Hear me out. In theory and online this place could appear to be absolutely terrific. But this store is probably offensive to the people who designed some of the luxury clothing that is in this store. I do not think that the prices are reasonable for a second hand curated "vintage" and thrift store. It makes me offended to have Zara sweaters next to BODE and Junya. Whack selection, whack employees, weird clientele. Just save your money and go to rose bowl flea market every month. Just don't go here. It is for people who know nothing about buying vintage or thrifted clothing. I have never felt such a weird energy in a store. Just feels questionable and slimey.

Loved wasteland when it was a vintage clothing store now it's just full of shitty designer and 70s 80s and 90s junk

Overpriced bs. Not actually vintage... And certainly not a thrift store. While checking the place out, I found a worn Odd Future t-shirt for $38. Odd Future's t shirts aren't even that much brand new! Wtf.

I have found a lot of cool items here. I love that the staff gives me recommendations, and is even willing to tell me when something isn't flattering for my style and look. Security is even polite here which I like a lot. Highly recommend!

What happened to this place? It used to be so fun, you could tell people loved being there- working and customers. Always good assortments, mix of true vintage, designer, contemporary, and hidden gems-- there was such a positive energy and vibe. It's certainly lost all of the above. They take 11 minutes to inspect every item and ask 4 other people on staff their opinion. Then they either pass or off you $1.80 for it. The entire selling process is an inconvenience for the buyers who is really just trying to get noticed that he's wearing a McQueen skirt today and matching eyeliner. The racks are ridden with Obey, Wesc and all the brands they tell you they arent buying. But a 1 of 5 rare bootleg original Iron Maiden tee from the 90s gets shoved aside in eye rolling disinterest. (The owners have an incredible personal collection, these buyers they have now are clueless). Bring back the old Wasteland days of fun experience, knowledgeable buyers, helpful staff, and good vibes. Nobody cares about your skirt bud