When I was maybe 17, a friend of mine's sister, who's a fashion designer, told us that establishing a uniform is the secret to dressing well. At the time, I was wearing my Uggs and Chrome Hearts tank (shout-out to all my early 2000s OGs), and I didn't understand what that meant. But I always remembered it, and now that I'm 34, that statement has never rung truer.
Considering I'm from and still live in L.A., I've found that I'm typically drawn to easy, comfortable clothes that are chic enough to stand on their own with minimal styling. My go-tos? Classic jeans, crisp tees, and baggy sweaters to name a few—a uniform consistent with a true-blue California girl. With summer just around the corner, I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a couple of cues from someone who can theoretically wear warm-weather styles all year round. Keep scrolling for my top five picks.
1. Ballet Flats
Considering I'm in jeans and a T-shirt 90% of the time, ballet flats are my go-to for achieving that understated chic factor. The favored footwear of some of our all-time greatest fashion icons (think Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Birkin) is simply a classic.
2. A Jumpsuit
It's not breaking news to say that L.A. style is laid-back, especially in comparison to the East Coast. Jumpsuits just make sense here. They're easy, they're versatile, and they can be dressed up or down.
3. A Simple White Tee
I've said this before, but I love a good white tee. To me, they've always been synonymous with '90s supermodel cool. I love styling them with a pair of perfectly fitting vintage 501s and gold jewelry. Simple yet effective.
4. Straight-Leg Jeans
Speaking of '90s supermodel cool, I will always be a straight-leg-jeans kinda gal. While I'm well aware that low-rise jeans are it right now, I'm sticking to tried-and-true mid- and high-waist versions for the time being.
5. An Oversize Sweater
Everyone thinks that it's always 75° and sunny in L.A., and while the weather is generally pretty good, it can definitely get chilly at night, especially by the beach. A lightweight sweater is key as we head into the summer months.
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