I'm a Fashion Editor Living in L.A.— Here's Every Staple I'm Buying This Season
Regardless of which coast you're on, a few things remain the same once winter enters the equation—stocking up on cozy knits and jackets, mornings with a hot latte, etc.—but as time inches closer toward spring, that's where things begin to deviate. As an experienced New Yorker turned experienced Angeleno, I can definitively say that the staples I'm reaching for right now are significantly less severe than what I'd prioritize if I were making it through the residual cold of early spring in the city. Instead of heavy-duty coats, I lean toward mid-weight jackets, and instead of fleece-lined pants, a comfortable knit is now my go-to. The list can go on and on, but I'll spare you the details and jump right into it. Below, I've outlined every single staple I'm investing in this spring. From statement prints to saturated shades, these are foolproof, on-trend pieces to usher in a new season with.
As much as I've championed cargo pants in the past, I'm not letting go of the trend anytime soon. This soft beige feels right on the mark for the warmer temperatures.
Denim is practically a requirement when visiting the West Coast, so it's absolutely on my list of staples to invest in this spring.
Cable-knit pieces have a way of looking so chic in ways other knits can't. Needless to say, they'll be the main feature of my newly minted cool-weather closet.
It's always significantly warmer during the day in L.A., which is why I have my eye on this beautiful, light floral top.
From the bold shade of pink to the giant buttons, the little details make this piece stand out.
Split-hem pants offer the subtlest showcase of skin, allowing your ankles to breathe while still keeping you warm.
You might think twice about wearing this right now in New York, but in L.A., this sunny printed skirt feels oh so right.
I love how I can wear this with boots or sneakers depending on my mood (and the weather).
Beautiful long dresses really go the extra mile when you're in the midst of indecisive weather.
Black and beige are cool, but it's all about optimistically bold hues as the days grow longer. Juicy shades of orange, pink, yellow, and green are particular favorites of mine at the moment.
When worn as a set, this color does all the talking for you.
Here's a sartorial remedy for gloomy, gray skies.
Don't be mistaken. It still can get cold in SoCal—hence the array of light knits on this list.
With ice-cold temps now out of the equation, it feels opportune to jump on sheer prints like this.
A top like this can keep you warm yet strategically on-trend.
It may look like I'm jumping the gun by going for mini lengths already, but trust me—80-degree days are not uncommon this time of year.
When a coat is the only way to survive the day, it'll definitely be this one.
A good pair of trousers is always a wise choice.
Next up: Prediction: These Under-$50 Trendy Buys Will Sell Out Before You Know It
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.
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