From the runways to the roadways, style hits the street! TODAY style editor and Bobbie Thomas highlights what's parking in your hood and connects you to other rolling stores across the country online. Los AngelesOne of the first mobile boutiques in LA, Le Fashion Truck has been paving the way, providing a unique and cozy home for local designers' wares. With overhead costs generally lower than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, trendy trucks are able to literally bring you top notch fashions at affordable prices; finds on board the Le Fashion Truck range from $5-$42, including chic, hand-made jewelry crafted by truck co-owner Jeanine Romo.
The lucky residents of Los Angeles can also look to JD Luxe for an edgy, one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Dreamt up by Jordana Fortaleza and Tyler Kenney, this on-the-go shop features playful, modern clothes by up and coming coming designers, while LA-based "BNIB," is a truck specializing in "Brand New in Box" sneakers and hip accessories. Last but not least, Bath Petals may be the only "boutique bus" to sell Greek Honey Mint bath salt and other fresh, natural products for the body and home. Originally designed as a promotional vehicle, the owners of Bath Petals decided they didn't want to wait on store stores to be found, and took their "flagship store on wheels" out to meet "their girl" in an organic way; now they can set up shop at art shows, food festivals, marathons and more.
Texas
Next up, Bootleg, Austin, which can be founded deep in the heart of Texas, touting an impressive array of fine footwear from around the world around the state's capital. The 30-foot Airstream Land Yacht contains an enticing selection of hard-to-find shoes, bringing joy to both trendy Texans and Bootleg's owner/stylist Sarah Ellison Lewis. Dallas-dwelling fashionistas also have their own on-the-go hub for cool, retro clothes in the form of The Vintage Mobile, an '80s schoolbus lovingly repurposed by husband/wife duo Jeremy and Kelsey Turner. About to celebrate its first birthday in July, The Vintage Mobile stocks a wide assortment of quirky T-shirts, Mad Men-era dresses, and of course, cowboy boots.
San Francisco
If you find yourself in San Francisco this summer, be sure to add TopShelf to the top of your itinerary. Just making its debut this past May, gals can head to the trendy spot "where fashion rolls," and score flirty, feminine styles while browsing amidst the pretty, pink ambiance. Owner Christina Ruiz believes trucks like TopShelf will continue to have a future in fashion, citing that "Times are changing ... so it's only natural that the traditional ways people [shop] will change too."
PortlandCalling all Oregonians! If you haven't heard about Lodekka, now's the time to hop on board! After losing her job in 2010, founder Erin Sutherland bought a 1965 double decker bus from Liverpool England, and transformed it into the surprisingly spacious retail destination it is today. The one-stop-shop contains everything you need for a night out, from vintage accessories to delicate, antique frocks; Lodekka even sells men shirts, ties, kids items, and features a dressing room.
Wanderlust is another fantastic Portland-based boutique that calls a 1969 Cardinal Deluxe Travel Trailer home. In fitting with its fun, retro exterior, Wanderlust is packed to the brim with vintage and handmade accessories, and a drool-worthy collection of clothes curated from decades past, including bowties, beaded cardigans, jackets and jewelry.
New York City
And of course, NYC girls on the go can scoop up A-list accessories on the avenue thanks to the Styleliner truck. Owner and designer Joey Wolffer sees her glamorous bus as not only a way to make a living, but to develop her own brand identity in an unusual way. She can travel the Northeast, city by city, picking up new fans along the way; they can then shop Styleliner.com, helping Joey spread the buzz about her business. Even if you're not a clothing connoisseur, there's still a mobile shopping experience for you. Cookies N Cream is an indie, grassroots company that churns out clothes and designer toys influenced by NYC's underground culture, street art and music scene. You can browse their website, BakedinNY.com, or follow them on Twitter to see where they'll be setting up shop next.
Boston
For the men out there, Boston's own Green Street Vault is guy-founded and guy-approved. The brainchild of recent college grad Derrick Cheung, Green Street offers up an ever-changing inventory of novelty gifts and accessories, grown out of Cheung's passion for bringing a diverse and eco-friendly mix of products to people in a fun and fresh way.
Lastly, since 2009, Amy Chase has been bringing a touch of classic Americana to customers all around the Boston area via her '50s aluminum teardrop trailer. Under the name Haberdash Vintage, Amy sells party dresses, shoes and accessories ranging in price from $3-$50; the nostalgia and memories of a simpler time that come with the experience are free. What better reason to keep on truckin'?