Like a lot of people last year, my life was completely uprooted in the midst of the pandemic. Not only did I land a new job in Los Angeles, but I also took on a move across the country from Brooklyn to a city I had barely been to before. Moving to L.A. had always been on my bucket list, but there’s nothing like a lockdown to make you realize how valuable space and easy access to the outdoors can be. So after selling or donating every piece of furniture I own, I made the trek from New York City to the West Coast. I quickly realized a few things: Umbrellas and heavy boots are obsolete, and it’s almost always chilly after dark no matter how warm it is during the day. That meant editing out a ton of my winter boots and coats and adopting versatile pieces that can withstand the daily oscillation between blaring sun and cool nights. During the process of settling into my new city (I have always been an East Coast girl), I had a lot more wardrobe epiphanies that lead me to completely reconfigure my closet. No doubt, the pandemic played a role in a few of these changes, but the cultural shift from hyperactive urban life to relaxed West Coast life was the biggest factor. To see all of the swaps and changes I’ve made while adapting to my new lifestyle, keep scrolling.
It really hurts to say this, but my current blazer collection doesn’t get much play like it used to. There almost wasn’t a day where I wouldn’t wear one as a New Yorker, but after moving to L.A., I have opted for languid layers that feel less structural and stuffy. The perfect illustration? A big button-down that functions as a pseudo-jacket as well as a statement piece with shiny metal jewelry. The oversize shirt also happens to be a big trend right now, so I’ve been shopping them in all kinds of patterns and colors.
It may seem a bit counterintuitive to be so into sneakers after moving from the pedestrian paradise that is New York City, but trust me when I say that Los Angeles is all about being comfortable and low-key. Heeled boots and sandals were a major part of my daily uniform working as fashion editor in New York, but during the few times I’ve worn them out in L.A., they felt out of place amid the casual vibe. Of course, I still bring out my towering stilettos for fancy occasions, but it has to be really worth it.
Even before the pandemic, Angelenos were famous embracers of the power sweatsuit. It didn’t take long for me to take heed and adopt it for myself. While I’m a person who likes to dress a bit more formally than most on the day-to-day (think elevated accessories and upgraded basics), even I couldn’t resist the ease of throwing on a comfy pair of sweatpants when running to grab a coffee or to the farmer’s market.
Shop the matching Chambray Blue Remulti Hoody ($121).
Shop the matching Loopback Sweatshorts ($68).
Shop the matching Logo Sweater ($210).
There’s a science to wearing a dress in New York: It shouldn’t be so short that you’re constantly tugging at it all day while out and about, yet it should be versatile enough to go from the office to after-work drinks or anything in between. Midi dress will always have prime real estate in my closet, but the styles I gravitate toward now are lighter and breezier and are usually some sort of cheery print or color. The West Coast way is all about looking like you’re about to head to a casual garden party (minus the tiny finger sandwiches).
There’s a good reason why so many great denim brands come out of California—it’s an essential part of the sartorial DNA. Needless to say, people take it quite seriously. Whether it’s a denim jacket or jeans, my collection has definitely expanded since my arrival on the West Coast. Since the L.A. crowd eschews darker colors, it’s no surprise that light and mid-blue vintage washes reign supreme. Paired with a white tee and statement sunglasses, it’s the ideal outfit for walks to the beach or around the city.
I’m no stranger to a statement top, and it’s one of my former New York style staples that I have adapted since landing in L.A. Before, high necklines, polished collars, and sleek knit bodysuits fit that definition, but now, airy blouses with interesting cutouts are my top priority. A good frame of reference would be the milkmaid top—but with a dash of ’70s style and in an array of pastel colors.
Even when I wanted to, I couldn’t really jump on the tiny-bag trend as a New Yorker. It’s incredibly impractical when, at any given moment, you’re carrying a full wallet, keys, extra change, hand sanitizer, and an umbrella. If you’re planning for a day out and about around the city, you can also forget it since accumulating items during the day is a given. Right now, my car has become my holder of personal items, so I can confidently carry a tiny bag without fear of missing something. Even when I’m on foot in L.A., I carry so much less than I used to as an East Coast city girl.
I’ve recently become infatuated with a hair trend that I used to think was reserved only for celebrities and runway models. In fact, I used to think it didn’t look good at all—and if you’d talked to me even last year, I would have never considered touching hair pomade or gel with a 10-foot pole, unless it was curl gel. Enter slicked-back hair, Hollywood’s most polarizing hair trend.
Once I started slicking my hair back regularly, I can’t imagine a world where I stop doing it. In my opinion, it’s best on third- or fourth-day hair that you’re trying to avoid washing for one more day. If you feel like your hair is starting to lean oily, that’s even better if you’re trying to achieve a slicked-back vibe—you want your hair to look as shiny as possible. With help from the right products, that means that greasy hair can be transformed into sleek strands effortlessly.
I tried out four different celebrity-inspired slicked-back hairstyles so you can see them in action on a regular gal, and not just a supermodel off-duty (we all know they could make wearing a paper bag look good). I know reaching for a high-hold gel or strong hairspray might seem scary, but the end result is worth trying something new. Keep reading for my favorite slicked-back looks and all of the products I used to achieve them, so you can try them for yourself.
A fun fact about me: while I very much enjoy the star-studded sightings that occur regularly here in L.A. (I’ve spotted everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Jonah Hill at my nearest grocery store), I’m significantly giddier when I get to meet one-on-one with the experts who enhance our fave celeb’s god-given beauty—whether its an A-list makeup artist, facialist, or most recently, the cosmetic dermatologist amongst Hollywood’s elite, Simon Ourian M.D. (And yes, if the name sounds familiar, you’ve likely already met him via episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.)
Although Ourian caters to some of the most notoriously beautiful faces in the industry (the Kardashians and Jenners, Megan Fox, Sophia Vergara, Jasmine Tookes, Olivia Culpo… the list goes on) and his span of cosmetic services are justifiably pricey, I was intrigued to find out that his just-launched line of skincare, MDO Skin, is surprisingly affordable, with every individual product, excluding the kits, sliding in at the doably sleek under-$100 mark. What’s more, his elite clientele use and swear by the line. Obviously, I needed to learn more, right?
When it comes to summer dressing, most of us have our go-to outfit formulas that work for our style aesthetic. I personally tend to reach for breezy dresses more than anything else when the temps hit above 70 degrees. While shorts are certainly a part of my wardrobe rotation in summer, surprisingly, I don’t gravitate towards them all that much. Perhaps because of their uber casual nature I never quite feel 100% put-together when wearing them—or, perhaps it’s simply because I haven’t found the perfect pair.
My preconceived ideas about shorts suiting me have slowly started to change thanks to these exceptionally cool outfits I recently discovered on Instagram. These ensembles not only make the summer basic feel fresh but they’re also perfect for keeping cool in the swelteringly hot season. In short, they are renewing my faith in shorts!
Whether you love shorts (or you don’t) take a peek at these cool outfit ideas that will get you inspired for the summer season ahead.