Image via Complex Original
Let’s face it, when you think of style capitals throughout the world, Los Angeles is usually not at the top of the list. For generations in most neighborhoods in L.A., “dressing up” just meant a crease in the khakis. Maybe it's because everyone here is too chill to think beyond a white tee, jeans, and Chucks—and our warm weather warrants some rather simplistic style overall.
But lately, L.A. has been stepping it up as a stylish city. There are more and more great brands emerging from Los Angeles and some designers and trends that are really making waves. No, seriously, it's true. Just check out our list of The 10 Best Trends In Los Angeles Right Now.
HUF Socks and Canvas Kicks
HUF Plantlife socks and Chucks/Vans—this has become the new staple in L.A. street style. The heavily worn (and heavily Instagramed) socks are seen EVERYWHERE in L.A. now, and are usually paired with L.A.’s top choice for sneakers: Chucks and Vans.
Dressing Like A Cool Grandpa
This is a look that came back a while ago in the downtown L.A. speakeasies and eastside coffee spots—it hasn’t left, it's just evolved. Layering button downs with cardigans and a light jacket, updating it with cuffed selvedge denim (or cuffed anything), and adding an L.A. twist by completing the look with a funky pair of oxfords (Prada, Doc Martens, or vintage) and a vintage tie or bow tie. Extra points for evolving that curled up moustache into a full beard.
En Noir
Black leather and L.A. go hand in hand, and have for years. Go to any airport in the world after a fashion week or trade show and there is one dead giveaway as to which gate has the flight landing at LAX. Hint: It’s filled with a lot of black clothing and a lot of black leather. L.A.-based brand En Noir created a mini-frenzy for their leather sweatpants after Kanye was spotted wearing them, and the trend has continued with L.A.’s elite wanting to get their hands on the brand’s leather tank tops, shirts, and more. Most L.A. guys tone down the high-fashion feel of a calfskin tank top with some beat up jeans and workboots.
RELATED: Interview: Rob Garcia and CurT@!n$ Talk En Noir's Debut Collection
The Man Bag
We don’t call it a “murse” here, it is a straight up BAG. Something slightly smaller than a messenger bag (no one is on a survival mission, we all have cars here), yet big enough to carry scripts, a laptop, headshots, etc. Maybe a little stash pocket for your “medicinal marijuana” that you need between those long meetings with directors. Top picks are found at cool stores like Union, Opening Ceremony, and Barneys.
Vintage Designer Jewelry
Vintage designer jewelry is huge in L.A. Our local pawn shops and resale stores are filled with Chanel and Dior from decades of discarded Beverly Hills collections. That awesome chunky Chanel necklace your Granny had on in that family photo from 1985 has now made its way around the neck of an L.A. rapper. And it couldn’t be happier. Oh, if these pieces could talk!
RELATED: The Complete Guide To Buying Vintage Jewelry
RELATED: Gallery: Rappers Wearing Vintage Jewelry
'90s Streetwear Revival
FUBU, Cross Colours, Troop, old Polo Ralph Lauren, and all the other '90s brands you thought were long gone are back with a vengeance in L.A. Now considered “vintage,” these items are rare and hard to find in top condition, and often flaunted by L.A.’s fashion leaders—like vintage dealer Yuske Kamiya, who kills with his MOOKEE by Yuske stuff. A recent rooftop pool party at the Standard looked like the backstage scene of In Living Color circa 1992, and it was AWESOME.
IDGAF If This Matches
Los Angeles has always been known for laid back style (think “The Dude” in The Big Lebowski) and the modern don’t-give-a-fuck look is kind of color-blind chic. Throwing together whatever is comfortable, regardless of how it “matches” or “goes” is what you will find on most trendy streets in LA. The leaders of this trend (Jun from Overdose, Left Brain from Odd Future) pull off the I-woke-up-smoked-a-bowl-and-threw-on-whatever-was-clean look with ease.
Dressing Like A Disick-head
Head on down to Shutters in Santa Monica for a mid-morning weekday brunch and you will see quite a few young guys sipping mimosas, eating expensive eggs while dressed like Robert Evans back in his prime: crisp pastel button-downs, white designer pants, and slip-on loafers worth a small fortune. The late '70s/early '80s “producer by the pool” look is trending heavily in L.A. Are they up-and-coming producers or just trust fund kids having breakfast? Most likely, the latter. But they sure are dressed well while doing nothing at 11 a.m. on a weekday.
SSUR Comme des Fuckdown Items
Comme Des Fuckdown everything; hats, beanies, socks, tanks, you name it. It doesn’t matter what the item is, if it has this saying on it, it is being worn. Guys (and a lot of girls) in Los Angeles clamored to get their hands on the famed beanie. Since the brand The Cut (via SSUR) expanded the collection (which is almost a decade old) into many other items, the trend has expanded and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Timberland Boots
Timberlands are back in L.A. in a big way. We saw Timbs frequently pop up throughout the summer, and fall will certainly be filled with the boot, whether it be classic wheat, a rare collaboration, or an even more rare customized version by artist David Sebastian.
