I grew up in L.A. and have had the same friends since middle school. While a lot of us went east for college, slowly, but surely, the majority found our way back home after a few years. That L.A. pull is strong. I see these friends as often as possible and, sorry to brag, they’re some of the best-dressed people I know. While you might think L.A. style is mostly leisure-wear and on a day-to-day basis you’re not wrong, when we meet for lunch or dinner, our, ahem, passion for fashion is clear.
While, of course, we all have our distinct sensibilities, there are a handful of items that we universally love. Our version of L.A. style tends to blend a bit with what you might consider N.Y., which, considering that many of us lived there for a stint, is no surprise. It’s a sophisticated spin on the laid-back aesthetic L.A. dressing is synonymous with.
Just in case this sounds up your style alley, below, I’ve rounded up the top five items L.A. natives wear on repeat so you can try out the look for yourself.
Ballet flats are classic for a reason: They add polish to the simplest of outfits and are great for the days when you want “no-brainer” dressing. Recently I’ve been pairing mine with track pants for a feminine/sporty juxtaposition.
Up until recently, I had always opted for a baggier T-shirt, but a fitted baby tee fits that 90’s nostalgia aesthetic my L.A. friends and I crave. I’m partial to a pointelle version.
A baggy sweater might feel counterintuitive when you’re talking about L.A. style, but when you think about it, casual cool is the norm here. Literally everyone I know loves an oversize knit.
Straight-leg jeans are a forever staple when it comes to L.A dressing. While vintage Levi’s are preferred, many contemporary brands are coming out with washes that actually look worn in and well-loved and thankfully not in that strategically distressed or 80’s way, either.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s 90’s style is the L.A. fashion person’s ultimate, so naturally a tailored leather jacket takes the win. My favorites hit at, or slightly below, the hip.
