10 Things People Were Wearing in LA
And where to shop them new/secondhand
Is every single cliché about being a New Yorker in LA true? Maybe. But regardless, I packed my bag and fly out West for two weeks. The first five days were spent in Big Sur where I wore athletic shorts and massive button ups, exclusively. From there, I landed in LA where it was meetings, dinners, friends, and the very first EV Salon outside of NY.
Los Angeles is a driving city but I am a walking girl, and lucky for you, readers. I scoped out looks from LACMA to Eagle Rock. The matcha is better here. People are nicer. But I hate to say it, New Yorkers out dress LA residents.
Let’s not start things on a territorial note! Here are the 10 trends I noticed meandering through Lala Land this past few weeks. Very Los Angeles accessories not included, but essential: valet ticket, Chomps meat stick, and a copy of Brat.
Vintage crewneck sweatshirts
This is an easy sub for an outfit when you’re like “I might need a sweater but it’s not actually cold.” My vintage crewneck sweatshirt of choice comes from my mom’s closet decades ago, but they’re easy to find on eBay. In LA, I saw them styled with jeans, a Clare V. bag, and Birkenstocks (very
look, come to think of it.)
Let’s find some options—new but mostly used!
This option from Alex Mill is great for someone who’s less keen on a vintage style, but wants that casual feeling.
Maybe you have a weird sense of humor too and this $30 sweatshirt appeals to you?
This look’s expert-level, but if you can find one of these short-sleeve sweatshirts at a thrift store, scoop it up! Looks so cool with cargos.
A very LA option for ~$30 on eBay.
Seinfeld fans: this one’s for you.
This is the last option for people who don’t love an oversized top. I think Buck Mason sweatsuit separates are way too slept on. They feel divine and like that vintage piece you’ve washed 100 times.
Long white skirts with frilly edges
This is hardly a surprise, but for every one white long skirt I see in NY, I saw three in LA. I get it! Breezy when it gets hot. Cooler than white pants. A way to dip your toe in the cottagecore of it all without commiting to a collar and puff sleeves. The typical pairing was a tiny tank top but my favorite look is a big button down barely buttoned. What’s new?
I saw this actual skirt IRL on my friend Jenny and was so charmed.
How divine are the details on this skirt? Under $50 and an XS.
This Mango option is $70 and a less girly look for those in the market.
Less into the maxi look? This vintage one is cute.
Mid-height socks
Let’s get specific! Colored socks, especially red, are a trend we’re all familiar with at this point. But I noticed a little bit of a departure while I was away. Instead of a scrunched down look, there were lots of what I’m calling “mid-height” socks. I’ll do my best to find comps. What I like about a Sock (capital S for intentional styling) is that it’s a way to bring a fresh take to shoes you love/looks you wear all the time. I’ve been wearing these socks with loafers and denim shorts and loving the feel.
Exactly the right height from Uniqlo.
Soccer uniform tops
Sporty spices assemble. I actually bought a soccer jersey while I was in LA because I was so influenced by all the uniforms in the wild and because my friend texted me a cute one on eBay. I’m literally one eBay link from a close friend away from a purchase at any given moment. Back to the trend, which I can embrace full heartedly. It’s easy! It’s low stakes! And secondhand options abound.
If you can pull off yellow, this one’s for you.
Long sleeve! I’m in love.
Another long sleeve, but these stripes are too good to pass up!
Or you can try easing your way in with something like this from KULE.
Last one! THIS COLOR.
Aviator sunglasses
Again, guilty here, but I swear this is the sunglasses shape of the summer, if I can say such a thing without cringing at myself. What is a “sunglasses shape of the summer?” Anyway, they’re everywhere, they’re so fun, and the ones I spotted in LA were more rounded/less wired. I’ll pull in some of my favs.
They’re all linked here!
Big art teacher necklaces
No subtle gold chains here. I’m spotting lots of necklaces with personality. And it’s refreshing! I’m not talking about the bib necklaces from J.Crew…but I could be…give me a few months. Mostly these are a single pendant or beads in a variety of shapes/weights. I love the way they make a basic outfit feel memorable.
Lizzie Fortunado is really the destination for these kinds of necklaces IMO.
Ashley Harris was on the letter last week! And I love this design from her brand, Don’t Let Disco.
How incredible is this vintage shell necklace from Etsy?
Black vests
I hosted an EV Salon in LA and the looks were great. My friend Madison wore a structural black vest that was the “Oh duh” answer to “What do I wear to a work thing when it’s hot outside?” Tiny vests were everything last summer. This summer, I’m noticing something a little more breathable with some length.
She’s country and she’s $25! I adore.
This Halston vest is $12! I would love to see a chic lawyer roll up in it.
FRAME! I love this. A great investment if you know you’re a vest girl.
Adore AJE and this cropped vest is under $200.
Tshirts under button ups
Layering! Who knew? This is easy to copy at home. You will need: a cotton-y button up and a tight tshirt. Wearing the tshirt under an undone button up is a cool way to create outfit interest without overheating. Ribbed tshirts are great for this, but really, as long as it’s not oversized, you’re set.
Softest ribbed tshirt you’ll ever wear TRUST me.
And then layer with THIS! Use code ERIKA15 for 15% off BTW.
Ohhhh this is begging to be layered with a tshirt! Under $30 on eBay.
I have one just like this that I love to wear over a dress in the summer. This is $20 on eBay but I promise your local thrift store has one.
You know this is my fav button up shirt on the market right now :)
Sheer long sleeve tops
A sexy one! Love a sheer top and so do the girls I was hanging with in LA. Worn with a dark bra, the whole look feels intentional and hot without trying. On a practical level, it’s not too hot for summer. I loved seeing these tops with old Levis, long white skirts, and basketball shorts on one very elite outfit.
Cool sheer top on Noihsaf for $40!
Hear me out, this top with a sports bra OR with a regular bra. I love it.
Another cool Noihsaf option. This one’s $20!
Colorful stripes
Why settle for looking like a little French boy when you can wear lime green or bright cobalt on your stripes? That’s mostly a rhetorical question for myself, but you get the idea. Bright stripes were everywhere, mostly in thicker cotton and long-ish sleeve tops. And on tote bags!
Love this spin on the classic Saint James striped shirt.
Take a sportier approach to stripes with this vintage $26 shirt from Etsy.
A little something for the coastal grandmothers in the audience!
TOAST just gets me. I love this and would wear it forever.
Leave it to La Ligne—the best in the stripes game—to come up with a short-sleeve stripe I think we can all get behind.
Spotted at LAX as a very cute alt to an overwise overflowing canvas bag.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x
What’s the one item you always pack for long haul trips? I’ll go first in the comments.
I'm a millennial so I wore no show socks for a long time, and I am glad sock heights are rising! My feet are a size 10, and no show socks put so much pressure on my toes. I am going to copy that blue striped shirt and leopard pants look. Love the pattern play there! A vintage sweatshirt that is so thin and worn that the inside isn't even fuzzy anymore is one of my favorite items to find at the thrift store.
i loooove your posts like this when you travel