Over the years, and my limited travels, i've noticed that location has a drastic effect on my wardrobe - and i'm pretty sure i'm not the only one. Even though the individual items don't change, the way i wear my clothes, the way i accessorize, and my general "look" changes from city to city. I grew up in Orange County, and still spend a lot of time there with my family. I've attended school in San Francisco for a few years now, and even though it's only 400 miles away from my home, the differences between how people dress is in each city very distinct. This summer, i've been spending a few weeks living in Phoenix, Arizona and once again, i've noticed how much the effect of location, and everything from weather to economic status, really has on how people dress -- so i've put together a few examples of how i feel like each different city changes the way i put clothes together.
when i'm in Southern California, my style is pretty relaxed, casual and natural. the sun is almost always shining, so bare legs and bare shoulders are basically expected. I rarely leave the house with even as much as a sweater, and definitely never have to worry about coats or layering. Dressing in Southern California is extremely casual - lots of denim, colorful clothing, lots of natural fibers and comfortable fabrics. Silhouettes are loose and easy-going, body conscious but not highly structured. Wearing heels, tights, or too much black immediately makes you look formal. hemlines are short, the beach is nearby and whether you're into the beach scene or not, the proximity of the ocean has a subconscious effect on us all.
there are 2 major social groups in San Francisco : the artists/hippies and the businessmen. This strange combination is part of what makes the city so amazing, but it also makes for a very unique fashion environment. Even though it is still in California, San Francisco's weather is distinctly different from Orange County. There is fog, sky-scrapers are constantly casting shadows, and there is always always wind. In this city, it would be inappropriate to walk around with bare legs unless you were aiming to be the object of cat-calls all day long. Because of the unpredictable weather, you cannot leave the house without at least a sweater, and layers are crucial. there is also more pressure to "dress up" a bit more, or look a little more "professional" in general for me, this means more pencils skirts, darker colors & neutrals, more heavy fabrics, and more structured silhouettes. it also means tights almost every single day and incorporating them into the outfit, since wearing a skirt with bare legs in that wind is basically unthinkable.
PHOENIX
i've only been here a short while, but i can tell you this: HEAT is the number one decision-maker when it comes to wardrobe. regardless of how cute an outfit or an item may be, if it has sleeves, if the fabric is too heavy, if it is too close to your skin - FORGET it. it's 120 degrees outside, the goal is to have as little fabric touching your body as possible (what would be considered completely innappropriate in San Francisco is daily routine in Phoenix). This also means black is basically out of the question except for in very small quantities. hair is always up and out of the face, make-up is minimal because it will melt off anyway. My own wardrobe has become much more simple, i rarely accessorize, and my daily wardrobe consists almost entirely tiny sundresses, tank tops and mini-skirts. American Apparel is my best friend, i avoid anything with sleeves and pants are entirely out of the question. i've also found this city to be more colorful, wardrobe-speaking, than anywhere else i've lived; my own outfits are much more full of bright colors and patterns than they ever have been before.
i think these changes can happen outside of location, as well: often we change our wardrobes depending on which friends we are seeing, what's going on in our lives, or whether we're going to school or out for lunch. does anyone else notice how their life & location effect their wardrobe?
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