Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

Southern California Style

March 6, 2012 By Paul | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

.
Paul usually writes about technology, but he writes about travel too.  He’s currently on a year-long road trip around the states.  While on the road, he’s keeping an eye on the style of the places he visits.  Read his previous dispatches from Boston, Phoenix, and Wisconsin.  Follow his other adventures on drivinginertia.com.

If you want to blend in in Southern California do this: get in your car and get on your cell phone.  Honestly, this is how people interact here.  Send a text, get on Google Maps to check the traffic, whatever . Sure, it’s illegal, but that doesn’t stop anybody.  I talked with my friend Ellen to get below the surface of Southern California style.  She’s lived in the area for nearly the past decade, spending the first bit in San Diego before recently moving to the epicenter, Los Angeles.

What are the differences between what men wear in LA vs. SD?

The main thing is that San Diego is more casual overall.  It has a pretty serious beach / surfer vibe going . . . even those who aren’t beachy surfers wear board or cargo shorts with flip flops pretty regularly.  (I struggle to imagine the flip flop ever totally falling out of vogue in San Diego.)  LA has a bit more diversity in men’s attire.  You definitely see more men with actual shoes instead of sandals.  T-shirts appear to be less common, as well, in favor of light sweaters over button-down shirts.  Overall, men seem to be a bit more pulled together (fashion-wise, at least) in LA.

Are there any clothing items that seem to be specific to southern CA?
Uggs. On a man.

There are definitely things that have “in” and “out” cycles in the rest of the country that seem never to totally fall “out” here.  Flip flops are one example, another is Ugg boots.  Yes, men wear Ugg boots here . . . though they generally fail to pull them off any better than most women .

Owning multiple pairs of sunglasses is the norm.  They are, after all, your primary accessory, no matter how casual or formal the rest of your outfit.  Another one for men is the knitted winter hat . . . worn in all seasons except winter, since we don’t really have winter here.  Just wearing a t-shirt and shorts?  Why let that stop you from pulling off some stylish winter head gear?

Can you tell a person’s job by his style of dress?

It’s easier to do in LA than it was in SD.  In San Diego, after 5PM, guys generally change into something appropriate for exercise, or put on the above-mentioned SD uniform of shorts, flip flops, and t-shirt.

At the Pizza Port on a Thursday night, you could just as easily be talking to a businessman pulling in $500K a year as you could to a 34-year-old college drop-out still living with his ex-girlfriend in Ocean Beach because he has no job, no means of supporting himself, has no desire to acquire any of those things, and she hasn’t kicked him out yet.

Is there anything else worth mentioning about Southern California style?

Will the slightly-too-small t-shirt with an ironic or silly statement/picture ever go out of style?  More to the point, is it unique to SoCal?  I’m not sure.  Something I dislike about the SoCal weather situation is the lack of real opportunity it provides for winter-level outerwear.  People (both men and women) still wear winter jackets and coats but always inappropriately (wool peacoats in 65-degree rain, for example.)  I was always a fan of a man in a peacoat or properly-fitted trench coat when I lived in the Midwest, but there’s something about wearing it in the “wrong” conditions that ruins the entire look for me.  Strangely, the admittedly out-of-place winter hat with t-shirt doesn’t really bother me. Make of that what you will.

Who’s buying a pair of Uggs?  Or is California getting too casual?  Also, keep track of Paul w/ following @drivinginertia

Necessary CA driving accessory:  Phone to your ear.  Photo Credit:  Lord Jim

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: California Style, city style, driving inertia, Paul Olson

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Style Scenario: A dreary night in with a good book

Style Scenario: A dreary night in with a good book

Screen free is often the way to be.

Steal The Style: Danny Ocean’s Tieless Suit Look in Ocean’s 11, 12, 13

Steal The Style: Danny Ocean’s Tieless Suit Look in Ocean’s 11, 12, 13

“You gotta walk before you crawl.”

Most Wanted Affordable Style – March 2023

Most Wanted Affordable Style – March 2023

Spier’s new stretch cotton blazer. Timex’s new automatic watch. And an old sneaker favorite makes a big return.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Sanders Chukkas, Timex M79 Automatic Watches Under $200, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Woodlore Shoe Trees BOGO, Nike’s Extra 20% off Spring Sale, & More
  • One Store, Five Outfits: Extra 25% off Brooks Brothers Sale Items
  • Most Wanted Affordable Style – March 2023
  • Style Scenario: Well Dressed on a Gray Rainy Day
  • Stock Alert: The Q Timex GMT is back in stock.

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.