East vs. West

Being a transplant here on the East coast (I grew up in Southern California), there are three questions that everyone asks me:

1. Why did you move here when you could be in living in the land of sand and sun?

2. How do you deal with the weather out here?

3. And, after they find out that I am a stylist, what are the main differences in style between the coasts?

The first two are easy enough.

1. I moved out here to go to college.

2. I loved the weather out here at first because, believe it or not, I was sick of the 365 sunny days in California. I wanted to be able to justify wearing a scarf and sweater in real winter weather- to put it in perspective, I remember going swimming on Christmas Day and wearing a sundress on New Year’s Eve!

3. Having just returned from a week in LA, San Diego and Orange County, I’m particularly interested in sharing my observations about the differences in style. Granted there are some distinct biased observations because the majority of my opinions about SoCal style were formed during my childhood and my Boston style was formed during my college and adult years.

First big difference is that California is Car Country. Your best accessory is your car. Handbags, shoes and wallets are still status symbols, but not nearly with the same prevalence as in Boston. In addition, the car allows a certain level of anonymity to your personal space- you aren’t as concerned with how an outfit will take you from the sidewalk, to the T, to the bus. Rain or shine, your car will always offer you a warm (or cool), dry and easy form of transportation. Unlike in Boston, where we have to account for flooding streets, sweaty train rides and drastic temperature changes.

Second, with no seasonal changes, the color palettes and silhouettes take a longer time to shift than on the East coast. For example, the structured silhouette is still just beginning to take- cotton dresses and skirts still being the norm. Without reason to don winter coats and closed-toe shoes, not too many people have incorporated structured jackets, futuristic shaped dresses, or ultra-modern heels into their day-to-day looks like they have here on the East Coast.

Finally, one of the last main differences between the coasts is how they interpret seduction with their style. SoCal is focused on beach-inspired seduction- lots of skin showing all over, casual, drape-y fabrics and few accessories. Boston on the other hand, focuses on a city-inspired seduction- more of a classic sex-appeal with hints of skin rather than glaring statements, more sophisticated fabrics which are then transformed by even more sophisticated accessories.

Of course, there are so many more differences and similarities, and they are all influenced by the individual observer and wearer; but it humored me to notice these few on my short trip home.

PS- I did spend the weekend in Vegas and that broke all the rules. Tan skin, shiny accessories and the highest heels are what grabs attention there!

–Lindsay