Cruise into Christmas with Gap bicycles

Maybe you remember the rush of finding a gift-wrapped bike under the holiday tree. You learned to ride and suddenly the world was bigger. Now you’re older, America is going greener, and bikes bring smiles for other reasons.

The vintage cruiser produced by the Electra Bicycle Co. for the Gap clothing chain, for example, wins style points for its blue-and-black argyle print. Wrap it up for a fashion-addict (the adult model is $499), and it could be an enticement to leave the car behind for a run to the grocery store. Kids’ models are $299, and both sizes can be shipped in time for Christmas ($7).

The Gap Holiday Cruiser is on display at Gap locations in Century City, the Grove in Los Angeles, Glendale Galleria and the Oaks in Thousand Oaks, gap.com/cruisers.

SAMPLE SALES

L.A. Fashion District Friday: The California Market Center, Cooper Design Space and New Mart buildings are teaming up for a grand-scale blowout. Women’s designer labels to hunt for include Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, James Jeans, Paige Premium Denim, Frankie B. and Joe’s Jeans. For New Year’s Eve parties, Sue Wong’s CMC showroom is offering cocktail dresses priced from $40 to $200. Kids’ clothing from Ella Moss, also at the CMC, will be $10 to $30. Odd Molly in the Cooper is selling $15 intimates and $600 shearling coats as well as embroidered silk blouses, baby doll dresses, jackets, denim and accessories. Community Service, in the Cooper Building, is clearing out labels such as Rich and Skinny, Whitley Kros, Leyendecker and Rory Beca, with prices from $25 to $125. Credit cards accepted by some vendors.

Los Angeles and 9th Streets, Los Angeles. Hours vary. fashiondistrict.org.

SALES

Oou Wednesday: This Los Feliz neighborhood boutique will offer Champagne and chocolate to soothe the holiday shopper, as well as 25% off contemporary lines, jewelry and handbags, and 50% off vintage in the upstairs “fab.oou.less” mini-boutique (where all finds are under $100). Whiting and Davis wallets ($25) and key chains ($12) are ready for gift-giving. Purchase a scarf or hat ($24 to $48) that evening and you’ll get another one free. 1764 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 665-6263. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

BNY Saturday through Dec. 21: The Frank Gehry-designed boutique on Main Street has wholesale prices ($100 and up) on overstock from high-end Japanese designers Issey Miyake and Undercover, plus Y’s and Y3 from Yohji Yamamoto. Designer labels including Ann Demeulemeester and Nigel Preston are 60% off, and casual fare is also on sale, including Bruce, Girbaud, V::room T-shirts and Great China Wall jeans.

2449 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 396-1616. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. bnyonmain.com.

American Rag Ongoing through Dec. 24: The denim- and vintage-rooted retailer is lopping off 30% at its La Brea and Newport Beach locations. Prices will range from $50 to $300 on an array of womenswear, menswear, denim, accessories and footwear from Rag & Bone, J. Lindeberg, Martin Margiela, Modern Amusement, G-Star, Earnest Sewn and Toms.

150 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 935-3154. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. 401 Newport Center Drive, Suite 953, Newport Beach. (949) 760-1510. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. amrag.com.

OPENINGS

Miner49er Orange County has a new California Gold Rush-inspired store that pays homage to blue jeans, with photographs from 19th-century American denim manufacturer White Oak, Gold Rush-era pickaxes and reclaimed 1920s wood fixtures from a Culver City pharmacy. The store carries vintage-inspired dungarees from house brand Denim Design Lab and Montreal’s Bzen ($90 to $500). Gift-ready goods include $55 “Miner49er” T-shirts and the cult “My Freedamn” ($70) series from flea-market guru Rin Tanaka.

420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. (949) 388-8080. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Mondays. minerfortyniner.com.

Padilla is a freelance writer.

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