I've Lived in NYC, Paris, and L.A.—These Are the Fashion Essentials I Swear By
While I talk about fashion on the regular and share snaps of what I'm wearing, travel is another big personal interest that demands most of my other attention. For as long as I can remember, I've had a fascination with travel—a passion that I attribute in part to my Sagittarius inclinations. Even though my travel plans have been put on hold this year, there's no denying the impact all of my past travels have had on me. Notably, the cities I've lived in. Over the years, I've spent as much time as I've been able to explore new places and moving to new cities, which is why I've lived in NYC, Paris, and L.A. during my adult life.
Each city is known for fashion in its own way, but it's clear that there's a distinct take on style in each place. Living in each of the cities, I picked up on some key styles lessons that helped shape how I dress today. In Paris, fashion revolves around sleek, timeless clothing essentials in a neutral palette and clean lines. In New York, there's more layering and attention to trend-forward pieces. And in L.A., it's all about a relaxed-meets-cool wardrobe.
Ahead, I'm highlighting the trendy fashion essentials that I was inspired to wear after living in each city. At this point, they're all part of my core wardrobe, but I'll dive into why each city inspired me to add them to my closet.
Tops
When I lived in NYC, turtleneck tops became a core part of my wardrobe. They're the perfect transitional piece for fall and a key item for winter.
Parisians have basics mastered and I always noticed women wearing them with cool tweaks—like a button-down with a puff sleeve—to make them feel modern.
I know so many L.A. people who own and wear this exact bodysuit. It's definitely an L.A. staple.
Shoes
In NYC, boots are a must, and knee-high versions are my favorite silhouette.
After living in Paris, I pretty much ditched all of my tall heels. I spotted low kitten heels everywhere and quickly realized how much more practical they are.
Like I said, comfort is king in L.A., and that means making sure you have a great pair of sneakers in your closet.
Bottoms
NYC is where my love of straight-leg jeans really took off. They're the most versatile style to add to your closet and look great with anything from boots to heels.
Great tailoring is a trademark of Paris fashion, so you'll find the women there wearing amazing trousers like these.
Sweatpants are a regular street style staple in L.A. Bonus points in they have a relaxed fit.
Outerwear
I didn't really experience true winter weather until I moved to NYC, so I had to quickly learn how to stay warm with some new layers, like the faux-fur jacket I added to my closet.
Nothing makes me think of Paris more than a classic tweed jacket. Paired with jeans and slingbacks, you have the perfect wear-anywhere outfit.
Los Angeles doesn't get that cold, but you do still need some light layering pieces in the winter. One of my standby staples? A leather trench.
Dresses
When living in NYC, I attended more semi-formal events than anywhere else, so it was great to have a black dress on hand.
A favorite dress style among Parisians? Pretty floral printed styles that you can wear just about anywhere.
Nothing is more L.A. than a fun minidress.
Accessories
Claw clips made a huge resurgence when I was living in NYC, and they were one of the accessories I always spotted when I rode the subway. Now, they're a mainstay in my wardrobe.
On the streets of Paris, I would see timeless (often vintage) bag shapes more than any others. You can't go wrong by investing in a classic silhouette.
If you've ever been to L.A., you immediately realize that you need sunglasses at all times.
Next, shop 25 cool fashion finds I’m obsessing over right now.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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