Sometimes I feel like fashion is just another way of mapping out a city. Each place leaves an imprint on the people who live there, and the way we dress becomes a quiet, effortless response to that city’s rhythm.
A while back, I finally treated myself to a solo trip—one full week in Los Angeles, then straight to New York City for another five days. Two cities, two different worlds—and, as I found out, two very different versions of myself.
In LA, I felt the need to slow down—intentionally. I lived in loose linen pants, soft knit tanks, and a pair of worn-in toe sandals that somehow made me feel like I belonged. My hair was always down, messy in a good way, with that sun-kissed flush you get from actually being outdoors. Walking down Abbot Kinney, everyone looked like they had just stepped off the beach—but still somehow belonged in a magazine spread. Iced coffees in hand, golden hour skin, that quiet “I didn’t try, I just am” vibe. LA girl style isn’t about being on-trend. It’s about breathing with the sun, embracing that bit of hippie charm, and letting softness be your power.
But when I landed in NYC, everything shifted. The hum of the subway, the sharp clack of heels on pavement, the electric buzz in the air—it made me reach for my leather jacket almost instinctively. The next morning, I stepped out in high-waisted jeans, a cropped tee, and thick-soled boots. Even my walk had more purpose. I tied my hair up in a high ponytail and swiped on dark lipstick, as if I needed to armor up to meet the city head-on. NYC cool isn’t soft—it’s assertive. It says, “I know who I am, and I’m not asking for your permission.” It’s not about dressing for the gaze—it’s about dressing for the fire in your gut.
Both versions of me were completely real. It’s just that different cities called out different parts of who I am. Which one did I like better? I honestly couldn’t choose. Maybe on sun-drenched days, I’m the LA girl, free and easy. And when the nights get cold and the skyline flickers to life, I become the NYC girl, grounded and unshakable.
So—who are you? The sun-chasing, laid-back dreamer of LA? Or the sleek, powerful spirit of NYC nights? Maybe, just maybe, you don’t have to choose. You can be both. I know I am.
