Sorry—didn’t realize your non-gear wardrobe also excludes street wear made by companies that also make gear. Personally, I’d rather go item-by-item.

Feeling in a rut makes total sense - back in your old home you’d be doing a major transition to fall + winter wear, but out here it’s just more of the same (plus a light jacket). I guess LA does have true summer, so it’s not as monotonous as SF, but it’s still quite different than somewhere with big seasonal changes. I find myself itching for a new look each fall, in part because the stores are full of cozy sweaters in the dark colors I prefer (but they’re too warm!). I buy more clothes in fall than any other time.

Cardiff Girl, I'm definitely missing those layers! Sunglasses are definitely on my shopping list, and new everyday glasses, as well.Those small tweaks might help more than it seems right now.

RobinF, you and me both with the shoes!

Angie, this resonates with me so much!

You can only remix so much. At some point you need sharper tools in order to remix more effectively.

Thank you for reassuring me that this normal and expected and will take time. It's still my long-term goal to build a more sustainable wardrobe that's small enough that I can keep it feeling fresh, while still meeting my wear goals. That's not going to happen overnight, especially while managing a climate shift at the same time.

New eyewear is on my to-do list. Need to find a new optometrist first.

Suz, your suggestions are right in line with my thoughts. Almost to the letter. I have a midi skirt/matching top combo in linen for summer (see Finds), but I think you're right that I need something more transitional in weight. I love linen in July and August (or August and September here), but that's about all the rumpliness I can take in a given year.

Joy, you're so right about the light being different, and I'm definitely still getting used to the combination of summer weather and Christmas music. We don't make it to the beach often enough for me to worry much about that capsule, though. Santa Monica (the closest beach) is anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes away, depending on traffic.

bonnie, that's a good suggestion. We did a little mall-wander last weekend and nothing grabbed me, so maybe I'll do some more online browsing, or check out all those catalogs arriving this time of year.

Synne, I take your suggestion as intended, but neon is probably not going to happen for me.

texstyle, I like that!

Sal, hmm, maybe a mustard or leopard bag? Will think on it.

Fashintern, I'm not sure I understand your comments. You don't think the items you linked look like gear? They may be intended as streetwear but, with the exception of the teddy coat, they also all have a very gearish vibe going on. It's a style that's super common in LA, but it's not mine.

Greyscale, that makes total sense. Fall is my favorite buying season, too. I'm going to have to get used to more shopping in summer, though...or in that very early fall season when everything's still summer-weight but in better colors for me.

A vote for these light-as-feather Cole Haans, which were my gateway drug to althetic footwear. They are great, and were a super welcome find after feeling really clunky in Adidas and Vejas.

Just musing some more ... I feel your style is very compatible with LA. I also was thinking that nonetheless, the light in LA is very different. It’s bright, and even tho it’s undergoing Manhattanization, things are still low and spread out ... less shadow if you know what I mean. Everything looks different. I don’t wear white generally, but I buy white and bright in LA. Like more sparkle and flash is need to compete with all that sunshine...

notsaf, it's not the clunky that bothers me.  It's the white! Maybe because I don't really have any other white in my wardrobe? It looks like yours are a little more muted than the more common optic white, so perhaps that's what I should be looking for.

rachylou, I get what you're saying, but the part of the city I live in is pretty dingy and gritty. I go to Santa Monica and suddenly want to be swanning about in white linen, but at home in North Hollywood, RATE rules. Attaching a cute street style pic I took while walking to the coffee shop the other day.

I agree that your style is very compatible with your Pinterest board, and it may just be a matter of a new ratio of pieces-or even expanding your wardrobe a bit to accommodate long warm seasons.

I also think that you'll have do many new possibilities of things to do, that your wardrobe will naturally evolve with new hobbies/lifestyle

There've been many great tips given already. I personally think you wear long line cardigans, vests etc really well so would invest in another light-weight topper first.
Also: someone on the forum onve led me to this blogger, who just did a post on fall dressing in L.A. She's not your style twin but does feminine and edgy well imo so might be fun to check out.
https://mgetsdressed.com/2019/.....a-edition/

Hahaha yes. I will admit the first couple of times I wore white shoes I felt like there were boats on my feet. I got used to it though. What about something with a white sole, like the sneakers Vince has been doing for the last few years? That might work well for you!

PS love the street style inspo!

I know what you mean about white shoes, I feel the same way. I got some booties last year that are more off-white than white and like them although the feeling of big feet hasn't totally gone away. And I have sneakers in tan instead of white. What about some metallic sneakers? They might add brightness without being too bright.

Hm. I’ve never understood the “gear” allergy around here, but with the exception of the sports bra, which I totally think could be worn the way I described, like a dicky, I really don’t see the velour joggers or that sweatshirt (not sure of the word for the neck—is it a cowel?) as gear, because there is no way I’d wear them for any sport. I might wear the sweatshirt or jacket TO the gym, but they’d come off before any moves.

Maybe I should start a thread asking people who dislike “gear” what they mean by that, specifically.

@FashIntern I didn't think "gear" when I first clicked on your links. The teddy jacket was the first to show up, the velvet joggers secondly, and neither screams gear to me. But seeing the attached photos def reads gear. The sportsbra, the tracksuit hoodie, in that order. So I can see the confusion!

One item from your pinterest board that seems missing from your wardrobe is a little chunkier, loose, hip- or knee-length cardigan. Maybe you could keep an eye out for one that isn't too warm, perhaps something that has an open weave to give the textured vibe without being too cozy for your climate.

Firecracker, I do have my chunky mustard cardigan, along with several other, more streamlined cardigans in Finds below. The long brown one isn't chunky, but the open knit gives it great texture, and it's a workhorse in our current weather.

I just took advantage of a one-day sale to order a long black cardigan dress from Naadam (in pics), and I'm really hoping it works out, as it could be worn open or closed. Still looking for that perfect chunky, open-weave piece in a natural fiber, though.

https://naadam.co/products/cas.....ress-black

RobinF, I'm not usually a metallics girl, but around the holidays, some shine and sparkle starts to feel more appropriate. My wardrobe has always been based on weather needs, but it makes sense that I might need to find other ways to add seasonality and interest. Gold could be just the ticket.

notsaf, I have the white soles covered! Two pairs, even. (See Finds)

Liesbeth, I just read a bunch of posts from that blogger and followed her on Instagram. Thanks for the recommendation. (And her layered, eclectic style reminds me a little of Diana here)

nemosmom, oh you ARE an enabler. My custom Chucks are one of my favorite pairs of shoes ever.

Suntiger, I'm just impatient, is all. I know I haven't fully settled into California life and it's going to take time, but (cue whine) I don't want it to!

Jenn, I like that you’re approaching this so thoughtfully, as you always do in matters of style! I agree with much of what has been said already — maybe just a hair trim while you audition stylists, and evaluate eyeglass frames and accessories to see if you crave any updates or additions there. I also think white sneakers could be fun but totally understand your hesitation as white shoes are not my thing either. The white-soled sneakers are an introduction. I found a pair of Adidas white sneakers with silver stripes - the subtle metallic touch makes them really coordinate with my wardrobe. Maybe some sneakers that are light-colored or patterned with white could be an easier transition.

I wonder if the best idea might be to simply take an afternoon cruising through some shops in your area, just to see what strikes your fancy. Removing the pressure of finding a specific checklist item like a skirt or a jacket could help you simply look with an open mind to see what appeals to you.

Good luck! I’ve no doubt you’ll settle into your new environment and adapt in no time.

That's a good idea, Janet. There's an outdoor mall nearby that I've been wanting to spend some time exploring. It even has a Warby Parker in it, so maybe I can do some glasses experimentation.

eta: I took everything out of my closet this morning and just put the things that I LOVE and would buy today back. Besides a short stack of pants and shoes/accessories, pic 1 was all that was left. I cull pretty regularly, so I still LIKE most everything else and won't get rid of it all just yet, but that at least have me a better sense of direction.

That sounds fun and productive, Jenn! Let us know if you find anything good.

That sounds like a really helpful exercise and great way to determine your direction!

Nemosmom, it was a great exercise! Here’s how it looks with everything put back. Quite a difference.