I was born and raised in Los Angeles, which means I’ve heard my fair share of out-of-state ridicule. I’d like to prove that life in LA is so much more than green juice cravings, spray-on-tans , and horoscope fanatics, but I have one two many friends who embody just that. With all of that in mind, it makes sense why, when I was applying to college, people often asked me why I would ever want to leave home. Truth be told, I wanted to experience life outside of the little bubble I’d spent 18 years of my life in and see what it’s like to go through more than one season.
As much as I’ve come to love Chicago in my first year, on my flight back home, in denial of beginning Spring Quarter online, I started thinking about how inconvenient the time difference would be. I then realized that throughout the next three maybe six months, I’d be stuck trying to coordinate FaceTimes and Zoom calls with all the East Coasters I had befriended. I had been so adamant about stepping out of my comfort zone that I, perhaps subconsciously, avoided getting too close with the other LA natives. It was time for me to get back in touch with my LA roots.
To save you some time, I’ve narrowed down my top picks for LA’s most influential style icons to a blend of four-ish supermodels, artists, and influencers. Let’s dive in.
The Kardashian-Jenner Clan
Being exposed to vitamin-D is no easy feat. For decades, men and women have been trying to introduce new trends that will allow you to simultaneously look cute, feel cool (in both temperature and composure), and protect your body from the harsh UV rays. We should’ve known that none of this could be made possible without the guidance of everyone’s favorite LA family, the Kardashian-Jenner clan. All five of the sisters may have their own taste in houses, hobbies, and men, but there’s no denying that they share a similar sense of style. Sure, they may make us question whether or not binge-watching Keeping Up is a good use of time, but it’s clear that these LA natives have influenced fashion trends for quite some time now.
Ever since Kim and Kanye tied the knot, Kim, repping Yeezy ever since, went from being a 2000’s mishap to the one who introduced the reign of monochrome baggy sweatsuits. Kim has become so familiar with what is needed to make the perfect sweatsuit that she even decided to take a whack at it herself with her new company SKIMS. Kourtney, who followed in Kim’s footsteps, adds a little bit of variation to her look. Unlike Kim, she seems to prefer the half baggy half fitted look, strategically wearing an oversized top with a simple pair of black biker shorts to show off her figure, and turns to black sunglasses as her statement piece. Even Khloe, known to be the most outgoing of the five in terms of fashion choices, showed her appreciation for a good pair of jeans by launching her brand Good American. The youngest two, Kendall and Kylie, sport their off-duty looks with the help of more form-fitting cropped clothing than their older sisters, while still staying true to their families' signature look.
Although these sisters travel all over the world for both work and pleasure, growing up in LA has taught them one of the most important fashion rules: less is more.
Miley Cyrus
As most people know, Miley spent most of her early childhood in Tennessee. It wasn’t until she started to pursue acting and singing professionally that her life began in LA. What makes her style so distinct from the others is the little bit of country she adds to it. Sometimes she’ll spice up a plain white tee and hard denim bootcut pants pair with a pair of cowboy boots, a mix of silver and gold hardware, and tattoos. People underestimate the power of a classic tattoo, or even a sleeve of them. Personally, I’m too much of a chicken to make that kind of commitment, but when in doubt tattoo it out, in which case the rule of less is more still applies.
We’ve all seen the side of Miley that wants seeks attention, especially when she was still discovering herself post-Hannah, and part of that Miley definitely exists. She’s no stranger to color. The vibe of The Happy Hippie Foundation, which supports youth homelessness, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable populations without a voice, is proof of that. Even then Miley understands that sometimes it’s just better to go back to the basics. Whether she’s dancing around on stage, taking hikes in the wilderness post break-up, or taking a good ol’ mirror selfie, Miley’s style accomplishes the best of both worlds.
The Hadids
With Gigi’s recent pregnancy announcement, or rather, leak how could I not talk about the Hadids. Both raised in Los Angeles, these sisters exude a care-free energy unlike any other. As supermodels, the Hadids take any chance they can get to catch their breath and step out of couture, even if it’s just for a plane ride to their next destination. Since much of the modeling industry is concentrated in New York City, the Hadids have to spend much of their time in the big city. But time and time again, they have said that their home is in LA.
Unlike the Kardashians, Bella and Gigi tend to steer clear of the slouchy sweatsuit look. Bella, a proud Nike ambassador, always seems to be on the go in some sort of baggy cargo pants, cropped tops that tend to show a little peak of under boob (in true LA fashion), and Air Force 1’s. Although this specific sneaker has developed the reputation of being “too basic” in the past few years, it is a staple for a reason. The crisp white shoe offers the perfect mix of sturdy and sleek. Gigi, on the other hand, takes a farm-girl approach when she’s a model off-duty. Her collard maxi dress, cashmere sweaters, and jeans are just some staple items in Gigi’s wardrobe. She even threw a jean-themed party for her 24th birthday and isn’t afraid to post a picture on Instagram in a pair of muddy rain boots if it means she gets to go out in the field with her pony. For the Hadids, comfort is key.
Aimee Song
Last, but not least is Aimee Song. It didn’t seems right to talk about LA fashion without at least mentioning one of Instagram’s biggest fashion bloggers. If you track Revolve’s trips as closely as I do, then Aimee is surely a familiar face to you. With more than five million Instagram followers and roughly two million views on her blog Song of Style, Aimee is showing the world how to become a self-made woman. You would never guess that a quirky personality, only revealed through clips of her bothering her long-time Italian boyfriend Jacopo, foodie endeavors, and occasional dance video, hides behind such an influential name in the social media sector of the world of fashion. And what separates her from the rest of the bunch featured in this article is the absence of any help from a stylist in her everyday life. She’s a one-woman show.
Aimee, who values statement pieces more than anyone, navigates luxury effortlessly. Whether she’s on a safari in Africa or dropping by the office, she always looks like a business woman, a force to be reckoned with. She knows that it doesn’t take much to style a newly released Louis Vuitton bag, in fact, some black biker shorts, a loose-fitting tee, chunky white sneakers, and a wool camel colored blazer will do the trick. This very look is a go-to for Aimee, seen wearing it on the streets of Paris during fashion week and catching a plane to her next destination. Even when Aimee , she always finds a way to stick to what she knows in one way or another. Take her jewelry, for instance, Aimee tends to rotate the same three or four necklaces, never straying too far from traditional. Some may say that technique is boring or overused, but I say why go looking to replace something you already have. She, like many other fashion bloggers (you’d be surprised), did not always have it easy. Throughout most of her teenage life, Aimee was working a nine-to-five job, which meant she had to be thrifty with her shopping habits and slowly work her way up to where she is now.
Contrary to popular belief, LA is not plastic. Sure have reality TV stars, singer songwriters, and supermodels, but we also have people who dream big.
““In Los Angeles, people dress with the deep and earnest hope that people will do nothing but stare at them.”
- Ellie Kemper”
