L.A. may be the capital of low-key cool, but that's no reason to dress down. Trina Turk proves that sophisticated needn't be stuffy

The Tights: "These Fogal tights are opaque without being too heavy and come in a range of colors. You definitely need them in black and red to work the mod-girl look [Intermix, 110 N. Robertson Blvd.; phone number not available at press time; $45]."

The Baubles: "I love big, strong jewelry and fell for the graphic shape of this vintage Balenciaga necklace that I purchased atthe Los Angeles Modernism Show. The dealer I bought the piece from said he'd acquired it in Paris from a model in the late 1960s who had worn it during the designer's runway show [L.A. Modernism Show, May 3 and 4, 2008; lamodernism.com; tickets, $15]. The ring is Cartier; it's a flower made from short pieces of ball chain that move around. I picked it up at the annual Palm Springs Modernism Show, where I have another boutique [Feb. 16 and 17, 2008; 760-837-7117; tickets, $15]."

The Shoes: "I like the chunkiness of the heel and the big metal buckle on these vintage Yves Saint Laurent shoes. I wear them with full menswear trousers, too [326 N. Rodeo Dr.; 310-271-4110]."

Online Extra: Shopping with Trina
California-based designer Trina Turk knows a thing or two about fashion: Much of her eponymous clothing line takes its inspiration from the fashions of the '60s and '70s-items she remembers fondly from her mother's closet. Her cheery California optimism translates to the candy-hued minidresses, oversized handbags, and splashy itsy-bitsy bikinis that appear in her collection season after season. "Los Angeles has some of the best vintage stores in the world," says Turk, an avid traveler, "but you have to be willing to sift through bins and racks to find the hidden gems." Here, Turk shares some of her favorite stores, in and around Los Angeles, for both clothing and the home.

"The Way We Wore has some of the most beautiful vintage pieces and dresses in dozens of different colors [334 S. La Brea Ave.; 323-937-0878]. For some of the most reasonably priced vintage clothing in town I stop at SquaresVille, in Los Feliz. You can even find items for less than ten dollars [1800 N. Vermont Ave., 323-669-8464]. Close to my store on West Third Street, I recently popped into Sigerson Morrison, because I hadn't been in a while, and had a hard time narrowing down my selection to just two pairs-they were all so fantastic [8307 W. Third St.; 323-655-6133]. The Textile, Clothing, & Costume Show happens three times a year at the Pickwick Gardens. Unlike other large-scale shows, this one feels manageable. I picked up a black-and-white jacquard dress from there and also a black satin coat with full sleeves and patch pockets that I just love [1001 Riverside Dr.; admission, $6; next event: September 30, 2007]. Every time I walk into the shop Lawson-Fenning I find something to buy. The duo behind the store, Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning, sell upholstered pieces they've designed, along with a well-curated selection of vintage items. Many of the pieces are quite modern but have small traditional touches incorporated into their design [1618 Silverlake Blvd.; 323-660-1500]. For artisan pieces from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, Reform Gallery has an interesting selection. They have one-of-a-kind items, along with large-scale tapestries. I have two of their tapestries hanging on the wall in my Los Angeles showroom [816 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-854-1033]. The owners of Downtown have such great taste and fill their store with beautifully refurbished furniture from the twentieth century-everything has a very modern twist to it [719 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-652-7461]."