30. Everything I Wore: West Coast

Outfit notes from Laguna Beach and Los Angeles (that fit in a carry-on)

As soon as I set foot in California, there is a subtle energy shift within me. Maybe because it’s a place that is so familiar to me, even though I don’t visit as often as I once had. Maybe it’s the sunshine and the clear skies that grace my presence. Maybe that’s just the feeling of going HOME. Or maybe I just intentionally dress to envision feeling good in my skin for a change of pace that isn’t as harsh as NYC. I believe that an outfit can truly be THAT transformative. While my next essay is being edited in drafts, I wanted to pop on here and update you guys with another style-focused post. Whatever it was that Southern California was radiating towards me, it rubbed off and hopefully it stays on for a while longer. I’ve been listening to The Beach Boys and The Doors and maybe that’s why I’ve been gravitating towards the 70’s nuances in my dressing. Here is a quick look at my west coast outfits, all of which fit into one easy carry-on, because I can’t be bothered with heavy baggage anymore. Especially when I’m going home.

This patterned polo top from L Double J is so fun and funky. It adds some texture play to an old pair of board shorts that I picked up from Buffalo Exchange one day. Also, board shorts in general are such a blast to wear in the summertime. My mind goes back to the Roxy, Billabong and Volcom campaigns of my youth that inspired me to highlight my hair. The sandals are vintage.

I layered up this vintage mens shirt from my dad’s closet with a one-piece swimsuit and a pair of Mother denim capris. So relaxed, a bit boyish and not trying too hard at all. This Strathberry Kite Hobo Maxi bag was my go-to this trip. It is the perfect throw everything in and go sort of bag in a gorgeously supple pebbled leather. And it matched just about every outfit on this trip which is a plus. I don’t like to overpack bags when I travel, and prefer to stick with one that I can wear the entire trip. The shoes are old Dear Frances.

This cotton set with embroidered cutwork detailing from Arrange on ASOS is so easy, breezy and chic. The crochet cap embodies my bohemian side in moments like these. I’m still on the lookout for more caps like this because they feel so refreshing!

This is a more beachy look that I threw together with my Belle swimsuit and sheer skirt from The Frankie Shop. I dressed up with a piece of metallic fabric that I saved from a vintage top that I used to wear a lot. I love the natural fraying it has and how nicely it works as a belt that I used an earring to pin closed around my hips. The shoes are my beloved ballet Mina pumps from About Arianne. Bag is Little Liffner.

This little number is one that I tried on at the Saks Fifth Avenue Club personalize shopping experience at Laguna Montage. A scarf blouse is such a summer essential for me (this one is Nili Lotan), and its lightness feels so chic when paired with a pair of more boyish cargo pants (this pair is Alexander Wang).

This slinky long dress by Bondi Born is in such an earthy dream color for me. It’s a color I feel I need more of in my closet because I love anything that radiates good energy and sunsets! I added a red beaded necklace around my neck for a pop of subtle contrast.

This Nanushka dress is the summer statement dress I’ve always felt I needed in my closet. Leather like detailing at the top, and an artful print on the bottom that reminds me of brush strokes and also an animal print. Once again here with my Strathberry Kite Hobo Maxi bag and a pair of beige glove shoes.

The orange popsicle color on this Belle top is my new love right now. It feels sooo California. It’s bold but still soft at the same time, if you know what I mean. So lovely with these white Mother capris that were looking for something sort of electric to spice them up with.

Usually I don’t go for this tone of pink, but the fabric on this Banana Republic linen button up was so comfortable I packed it anyways. And I really liked how it contrasted with an all black pants and bandeau look. It feels classic.

Pastels have been my best friend this trip, and I love layering different tones of the same color in one outfit. This highlighter pink one-piece from Bondi Born felt so right with the pastel pink of this lightweight polo from Banana Republic. Together it feels preppy, but in an offbeat and cool way.

These trousers from Whistles originally felt officewear-ish, but with the right pieces mixed on top, they transform into something very beach side ready. The tone of blue is something I was desperately looking for to add to my trouser routine. They feel very 70s and I love pairing them with swimwear on top, like above with this Belle one-piece and a vintage scarf around my hips, or with this Bond-Eye bikini and a simple button up worn on top. A little vintage belt always jazzes things up too.

These jeans from ICON Denim were the only jeans I packed this trip. I loved them because of how long they were and I’m really tall, so this was a major plus for me. Straight legged and a tad slouchy and soooo comfortable. Once again with the Belle one-piece and this linen blouse from Posse that I truly will wear forever. This has been my repeated look for sunset walks in Laguna Beach. Just that end of day goodness that require not one ounce of effort.

And finally this dress is one that I’m really proud of because it was actually a really old piece I found hidden in the closet at my parent’s house. I totally deconstructed it by cutting the elastic in the hole cutouts at each hip, which now I use as arm holes, and I brought the top portion of the dress up and wrapped it around my neck halter style and tied it at the back. Such a chic cover up and super breezy. It was such a nice cotton fabric that I knew that I had to find a way to put a new DIY spin on it so I could wear it in a way that feels more like me! I love being able to transform a piece with little fixes here and there to give it more life. It makes me happy :)

And that’s everything I wore in California in a nutshell. Hopefully they give you all a little inspiration for some of your laidback (and hopefully not too hot and humid) days ahead.

xx