When thinking about how to dress like a local in Los Angeles, just remember casual is key. The more casual it is, the more LA it is. Even though this is how locals typically dress in LA, dress in your own style and what fits you the most!
Personally, my style is a lot dressier than LA’s casual style but I still like to incorporate some parts of LA fashion into my outfits to dress them down. So here it is – what to wear to Los Angeles if you want to look like you’re from Los Angeles.
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How To Dress Like A Local In Los Angeles?
Here are the most common outfit combinations you’ll see locals wearing in LA.
1. White T-Shirt + Baggy Blue Jeans + White Sneakers
2. Short Ruffle Blouse + Blue Jean Shorts + Sandals
3. Hoddie + Black Baggy Jeans + White Sneakers
4. Puffer Jacket + Black Jeans + Chunky Boots
5. Sundress + Sandals
What LA Locals Wear
1. White T-Shirt + Baggy Blue Jeans + White Sneakers
This is the ultimate casual LA outfit and the best way to dress like you’re from Los Angeles. It cannot get any more basic than this. Wear this outfit on a day that is a bit warmer or layer it with a jacket (more casual) or a blazer (dressier) to keep warm. I personally love this look and wear it often because it’s simple yet looks very put together.
The key to a perfect white T-shirt is to have its sleeve length not too long and not too short. The length of the T-shirt can be a personal preference but the sleeve length is super important for that put-together casual look. I’ve been wearing the Uniqlo White T-Shirt for the longest time.
LA natives love wearing baggy blue jeans like this one to pair with white t-shirts. The length usually reaches the shoe and folds a little.
To complete this outfit, we’ll add a pair of chunky white sneakers. In LA, one of the most popular ones is the Nike Air Force 1 sneakers.
Uniqlo White T-Shirt
Mumubreal Baggy Jeans
2. Short Ruffle Blouse + Blue Jean Shorts + Sandals
The second look is a slightly more feminine outfit and is best worn in the summer or spring.
We’ll first start off with a ruffle blouse that cinches in at the waist or above. Blouses with sleeves and an open neckline like this one are very trendy now in LA.
Pair this ruffle blouse top with a pair of jean shorts. It can be either ripped or not ripped jean shorts. Ripped jeans will give off an even more casual feel.
Tie this outfit together with a pair of sandals. The flat-banded slip-on sandals are very in style not just in LA but all over the world now.
Lyaner Ruffle Top
Levi’s 501 Original Shorts
Amazon Flat Banded Sandals
3. Hoodie + Baggy Black Jeans + White Sneakers
This outfit is the most laid-back and gives off a just going out of the house to run a few quick errands kind of look. To be honest, if it’s cold outside, I would probably gravitate toward this outfit. It’s so comfortable and easy to wear.
If someone were to ask me how to dress like a local in Los Angeles, I would probably tell them this look. You will rarely see this outfit in other countries.
The hoodie can be honestly any kind of hoodie you already have. I know a lot of people who have hoodies from an influencer/celebrity’s merch line or purchased from an event. It’s best if the hoodie is thick so it adds more warmth like this one.
To match this lazy look, wear a pair of baggy black jeans. Ripped or not ripped black jeans will work for this look.
Pair this look with a pair of Nike Air Force 1 shoes for a classic LA style.
Shewin Casual Hoodie
HDLTE Black Baggy Jeans
4. Puffer Jacket + Black Jeans + Chunky Boots
This look is for the cold weather in LA. Once the weather reaches the 60s you’ll start seeing LA locals pulling out their puffer jackets. You’ll start experiencing this weather in late fall and winter so this is how to dress in Los Angeles in October, November, December, January, and February.
Puffer jackets are an essential LA-style wardrobe piece because it’s both casual and functional. It does a great job of keeping you warm.
Pair a pair of black jeans with this look. Since the puffer jacket is already oversized, we don’t want to look too puffy on the bottom also. So we’re going with a pair of straight-leg black jeans.
Plus, chunky black boots pair best with straight-leg jeans. My go-to boot will always be the 1460 Dr. Marten’s Boot. I would put the ends of the jeans over the boot to complete the look.
For more ideas on how to dress nicely in LA’s cold weather, I have another full post on that here.
Merokeety Puffer Jacket
Everlane Black Straight Leg Jeans
Dr. Marten’s 1460 Boot
5. Sundress + Sandals
In the summertime, you’ll see many LA natives wearing sundresses and sandals. Not only will you see them in LA, but it’s also very popular in other countries as well. The difference is perhaps you’ll see more solid color dresses in LA whereas you’ll see more dresses with patterns in Europe and Asia. But that’s just a generalization.
It’s common to see maxi dresses with thick straps in LA like this one. Pair this kind of dress with a pair of sandals. The sandals mentioned above in outfit #2 are perfect but another sandal option could be one with two straps across the foot like these ones.
Zesica Summer Dress
Amazon Two Band Sandals
Read more: Now that you know what to wear in Los Angeles, read more on the best things to do in Orange County and in Little Tokyo LA!
FAQ: What To Wear In LA
What should you not wear in Los Angeles?
Dressy Clothes: LA fashion is very casual so stick with casual pieces.
Thick Clothing: This applies to summer and fall because the weather is quite hot.
Can you wear jeans in Los Angeles?
Yes! Jeans are such a big staple in local’s closets. The baggy dad jeans style is so trendy in LA fashion but you will also see locals wearing skinny, mom, and straight-leg jeans.
