This holiday season belongs to Los Angeles.
We at Fashion Trends Daily think that ’tis the season to shop L.A.’s cool boutiques and stores, buy goodies from L.A. brands, enjoy a slice of L.A. lifestyle, whether you live here or not. While we will definitely cop to a certain prejudice of proximity — Fashion Trends Daily is based here, after all — we do cover fashion around the globe and equally ogle over fashionable finds from around the globe.
But the fashion zeitgeist has been in L.A. for some time now. And while the shows may not be, the seat of apparel manufacturing is. The result: L.A.’s designers and brands are hotter than ever.
“I think people look to L.A. for a more refreshing take on fashion,” said Melissa Magsaysay, former L.A. Times style and beauty writer and author of City of Style, a guide to exploring Los Angeles fashion. “There’s always going to be a high respect for the show circuit, but L.A. will always be the hub for the business of fashion. And L.A.’s varied landscape and the fact that you can go from red carpet events to the middle of the desert to the beach or an intimate dinner at the Chateau [Marmont] feels more parallel to the way that people are talking about fashion, and living fashion right now.”
We couldn’t agree more, so, we’ve put together a little list of some of our stand-out holiday picks from a few of our favorite L.A. designers and tastemakers, authors and more.
City of Style
City of Style by Melissa Magsaysay (Harper Collins) ($21.99)
We couldn’t think of a better way to start the list of L.A. lovin’ off than with Magsaysay’s book, released earlier this year. Trace the city’s style roots with her as she examines the most iconic examples of L.A. fashion — from Bohemian to surfer, red carpet, chola style and much, much more. We love her breakdown of the trends and her photos of L.A. tastemakers dishing their sartorial secrets and favorite finds.
Give this book to the style maven on your list or your favorite New Yorker. Ha.
Available at Amazon.
Kelly Wearstler RhapsodyKelly Wearstler Rhapsody (Rizzoli) ($295)
The designer’s fourth book features Wearstler’s latest projects, including new hotels and homes. The unexpected extra, however, is the inclusion of chapters inspired by the popularity of her blog. The celebrated designer walks her fans through the creative process from start to finish. But lest you think this is more how-to than home inspiration, she sprinkles in visits to her metal foundry, where she sculpts many of the pieces she uses along with her experiences at antique auctions around the world. Another bonus – lots of personal style photos to give you some closet inspiration, too.
Available at Kelly Wearstler.
Mother Denim All that Glitters Gold Jeans
Mother Denim All that Glitters Gold Jeans ($220)
We haven’t seen such a huge stir over jeans since in some time, but Mother denim may just be the mother of all designer denim crazes. Combining comfort (the jeans integrate a higher percentage of stretch fibers for comfort and curve-hugging) with style, the shimmering All that Glitters jean is a holiday-ready pair of jeans that’ll make a statement coming or going.
Available at Bergdorf Goodman.
Tokidoki Playing Cards
Tokidoki Playing Cards ($10)
In collaboration with Bicycle playing cards, Tokidoki has released a deck of cards that will have you losing your poker face over the cute images on every card. Face cards feature Tokidoki’s favorite characters such as King, Queen, Jack and more. Even ho-hum number cards get a makeover with the brand’s iconic animated characters. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer. We say stock up on these decks for last minute gifting and for the card shark in your life.
Available at Tokidoki.
Band of Outsiders This is Not a Polo Shirt Trapped Pocket Pique Polo
Band of Outsiders This is Not a Polo Shirt Trapped Pocket Pique Polo ($150)
L.A.-based Band of Outsiders is a menswear staple now, giving the New York menswear scene major competition with their signature cuts and riffs on classic Americana. Nothing is more classic (or more reached for) than a well-cut polo, so the brand’s This is Not a Polo diffusion line is the place to go for a remixed closet staple. The snug (size up, trust us) fit combined with the trapped pocket – it’s on the inside of the shirt – make this anything but an ordinary polo.
Available at Band of Outsiders.
Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick
Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($28)
Want color without the commitment of constant touch-ups? Reach for Hourglass Cosmetics’ Opaque Rouge, which combines the ease of a gloss with the color payoff of a true lipstick. The formula is infused with vitamins, antioxidants and more to protect your lips while giving you deep, matte-velvet color that lasts through air kisses and sips of champagne. A New York Fashion Week backstage staple, it works just as well off the runway. Our pick? Icon, a classic red. Go big or go home.
Available at Hourglass.
Jenni Kayne Grey Snake D’Orsay Flat
Jenni Kayne Grey Snake D’Orsay Flat ($610)
You’ve seen this flat on celebs, style bloggers and fashion editors, but you haven’t seen it in luxe grey snake. We love the combo of comfort and style, but didn’t want to feel like a copycat, so this new material is just the thing this L.A.-staple needed for a refreshing update. Paired with everything from jeans to day dresses and more, there’s a reason everyone eschews their Loubs for these babies once they get a feel of the L.A. sunshine.
Available at Jenni Kayne.
Clare Vivier Leopard Foldover Clutch
Clare Vivier Leopard Foldover Clutch ($156)
Clare Vivier’s the go-to brand for cool girls who want to make a statement without brandishing a brand’s logo or initials. Instead, Vivier lets the shape and materials speak on her behalf. We love the neon colors, but for holiday, nothing’s better than haircalf printed with leopard. It’s an classic with a luxe update, so while you may have one, two or maybe even more, you don’t have this one.
Available at Clare Vivier.
Tom Binns Riri Collection Multicolor Flower Cuff
Tom Binns Riri Collection Multicolor Flower Cuff ($1,150)
Tom Binns’ statement making jewelry is a stark contrast to the usual red carpet diamonds we’re used to seeing on celebs, which makes it the perfect brand to reach for if you’re looking for something unexpected. With colorful gems in a floral motif, it retains a bit of romanticism but throws in a big dose of punk fun. It doesn’t matter what you pair it with because when this is on your wrist, all eyes will be on your accessory.
Available at Tom Binns.
Rodarte for Target x Neiman Marcus Holiday Ornament
Rodarte for Target x Neiman Marcus Holiday Ornament ($19)
The sky’s the limit with Rodarte, an L.A. fashion label with beloved in fashion capitals around the globe. The Rodarte sister design duo is known for pulling inspiration from Japanese animation one season, Alice in Wonderland the next and then Van Gogh the following. For the huge Neiman Marcus and Target collaboration with the CFDA, the designing duo opted for a celestial spin on the traditional Christmas ball. The dark, unexpected motif will not only look beautiful on any tree, but be a gorgeous gift on its own. Show your fashion savvy friends that you’re a fan of haute holiday cheer.
Available at Target.
ncLA The Glitz Set
ncLA The Glitz Set ($39)
ncLA is known for releasing fashion-forward collections of polish that are the perfect thing to pair with your favorite outfits. Some shades, such as the ones in their Glitz set, which contains Miss Sunset Strip, a combination of multi-sized silver glitter, Hollywood Hills Hot Spot, a deep purple/blue shimmer and a special edition rose gold sparkle, stand on their own. Free of DBP, toluene, formaldehyde and camphor, they are both safe and stunning, which means they’ll be on our fingertips all season long.
Available at ncLA.
Clover Canyon City Lights Blazer
Clover Canyon City Lights Blazer ($495)
Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? We ‘ll one-up that with this blazer, which features the L.A. skyline in a stunning photo-realistic print. From one of L.A.’s most beloved contemporary brands, it’s a sleek and sophisticated way to show your love for the City of Angels. The sleek illusion lapel paired with the tonal button mean the photo print is uninterrupted from front to back.
Available at ShopBop.
Voluspa Champagne Rose
Voluspa Vermeil Collection Champagne Rose Candle ($24)
Want to warm your home for the holidays? Orange County-based Voluspa (OK, close enough to L.A.) has a candle for every mood and every room, but we love the new Vermeil collection, which was inspired by the way light reflects from aged silver. Our pick is Champagne Rose, which blends chilled brut rosé and white rose petals, making this a festive and sensual scent you’ll want to burn from Christmas until the ball drops on New Year’s. The brand hand pours every candle in Lake Forest using clean burning soy-waxes and concentrated essential oils, giving a clean burn and true, pure scent from the first light to the last.
Available at Candle Delirium.
Images courtesy ShopBop, ncLA, Clare Vivier, Jenni Kanye, Band of Outsiders, Target, Hourglass, Voluspa, Mother Denim, Tom Binns, Tokidoki and Rizzoli
