LA Story: Casual Cool

Casual Cool not only describes our lifestyle here in LA it’s also the way we dress. Our mostly great weather inspires a sportswear driven style that takes us from day to night without needing a wardrobe change. My look is doing exactly that with a slim cargo pant, Venti 6, a blue and white stripe buttoned shirt, Chaps, and a shrunken navy academy blazer, Gap. I’ve always had a thing for striped tops paired with the olive bottoms. The olive becomes an almost neutral colour so it really works with anything. My inky dark navy jacket adds a formality that really pulls together and elevates my look. It creates a textural contrast over the lighter weight pieces while adding dimension and structure.

I’m wearing the jacket sleeves unbuttoned and cuffed with my shirtsleeves folded and pushed up, over them. It’s a nice push/pull of formal and casual. I’m wearing my shirt unbuttoned as much as I can to create a V shape like the opened jacket. This makes my shoulders look broad, my waist seem smaller and my body appear to be more narrow and with the lug bottom boots, Sorel Footwear, I get a longer leg. I’m using my accessories to build some dimension by layering a chunky and small pearl necklace with a gold linked chain, Gorjana, and a crossbody fanny pack, Universal Thread. The saddle colour of the bag lends a much-needed contrast against the darker more muted tones.  It also gives the eye a focal point. My garments are basic easy separates but together they’re LA’s Casual Cool uniform.

style-tip: good styling isn’t just about wearing great clothes it’s about knowing where and how to place them on your body type.

LA Story: Transparency

Transparent dressing is continuing forward for Spring but while we’re still in transition mode here’s how I’m wearing it now. I start with a black pique’ high waist bathing suit bottom, Spanx. I’m not trying to conceal the black bottoms rather create contrast under the sheer garment. My gold knit skirt gets warmed up by a few heavier Fall/Winter items like a vegan leather motorcycle jacket, both from Zara, and boots, Charles David. This white t-shirt, Hanes, makes everything pop especially with these chunky gold rapper chains and twisted bandana neck scarf, Amazon.

Together, the chains and scarf appear a lot more substantial and help balance the distribution of weight with the jacket and boots. It’s a small detail that makes a difference. My little zebra baguette, Fendi, brings some texture from the fur and the black and white stripes add a fun pattern to amp up the look. If a sheer skirt or dress is not for you maybe a sheer blouse is. If you’re uncomfortable wearing sheer by itself, you can layer it over a contrasting piece. There are many ways to interpret this trend so have fun with it!

pro-tip: don’t wait to wear your sheer items mix them with your heavier pieces.

*please treat your wardrobe wee. many people worked very hard to get it to you.