NY Vs. LA style

[Casualuxury]

So I am currently going to Otis College of Art and Design in LA. However, I hate LA, and I feel as if the next 2 years of my life will be consumed by swimwear and denim. So I am transfering to FIT.

Now I am obsessed with The Sartorialist, and I constantly see images on the television of the people in NYC dressed SOOOOOO well. I feel as if I even set foot in the upper east side I will look like some sloppy out of work actor that desperately needs to hop the next jet back to LAX.

What I am wondering is as follows.
1. What key elements differ New York style from LA so called style?
2. Are the residents of NYC more suseptable to fashion risks, and find appreciation for going against the grain?
3. Am I totally stressing out over nothing considering that the ratio of stylish people to average people in NYC is the same as LA.

Any other comments would be appreciated, not to mention it would be nice to see a HEATED debate over territorial fashion happen in here. So, on that note...

... Discuss!

 

[lesypersound]

well, FIT isn't near the upper east side and most of the ppl that go to FIT don't dress so well, rather, they don't think they do to the point where you need to be stressed out about it.

anyway, to answer your q's:

1. seasonality.
2. it seemed that ppl in nyc don't care that much either way...haha.
3. yes, you are overreacting.

 

[r_r_r]

Well to put my two cents in, I believe that people in NYC dress with more structure and refinment. LA looks too "all over the place" for me.

And I'm not being biased!

 

[malin_08]

From a total outside view, never been to United States, I'd say that LA style reminds me more of Dubai FW than Paris FW. The bright colours and much more "girly" than NY, London, Paris and some more cities.
Its probably mainly because of the fact that NY has a wider range of weatherseasons, as lesypersound said.

1. I'd say that the key difference would be that NY is much more sofisticated than LA. (It probably is an obvious answer.)
2. Can't answere that, never been to either of the cities.
3. I'd like to know that too...

I haven't been adding much knowledge to this topic, but I find it interesting and would also like to read a heated discussion.

 

[Casualuxury]

lesypersound. Thanks par le info. Twas the most helpful.

With that, maybe FIT will be a blank slate, and I can develop my own style, and bring a bit to them. I feel as if FIT may be just like OTIS only with better training. The people at OTIS either dress like refugees via Mary Kate, or like a older, sadder, Ashley Tisdale.

 

[sarahchow]

I think L.A. style and New York style are worlds apart but is still something that people interested in fashion can adapt to quickly (and with enthusiasm). My twin lives in L.A., I live in New York; she dresses a little more sloppy than I do but she takes certain "risks" as well. I think people everywhere find appreciation for others who "go against the grain," NY being no exception since the majority of people still dress a bit average, and the best way to ease your anticipation is to just visit/see for yourself.

 

[Yanka]

i think it's much easier to look "stylish" in colder climate. First of all, you can wear black & grey all the time - two easiest colours to wear and nobody would blame you that you're too glum. Second of all, when it's hot, there are all kinds of body malfunctions you have to fight / conceal like fat, cellulite, varicose veins, bodyhair, SWEAT. Nobody looks good with makeup running down their faces either.

 

[luckyme]

IMO, NY makes trends and LA follows them.

I see must more self confident dressing, therefore more individuality in NYC... and it doesn't have to look good with a tan either.
so, don't worry so much how you will fit in, because no matter what, you will.

 

[lolamae]

To me, NY is more about layering with neutral colors.
Los Angeles seems either sloppy or like the store Urban Outfitters.

I'm from LA and I'm trying to break out of LA style.

 

[tourist10]

What I noticed about New York vs. L.A. is that there are a lot more options. For examples, I noticed many women wearing dresses and heels during the day, probably without getting the "ooh, you're dressed up, where are you going?" type remarks that you would in L.A.

 

[emma peel]

LA suffers from "fake t*ts fashion"-- tiny tops with plastic boobs popping out paired with jeans and platform sandals.

 

[Jacque Marcel]

^^ Great point emma peel. When I think of LA style the images of those gross women on the reality show The Real Housewives of Orange County come to mind.

 

[Deleted member 82231]

LA suffers from "fake t*ts fashion"-- tiny tops with plastic boobs popping out paired with jeans and platform sandals.

This is exactly right...I just got back from So. california, and in every room I was the only one who was silicone free...

 

[lesypersound]

it's funny how a lot of ppl seem to forget that Staten Island is a part of New York City. ...yup, nyc has everything.

 

[MissyJG]

Never been to both cities but when I see LA (in the media) and NY the difference has been said here a few times. LA's image is very ditsy girls (or acting dumb) wearing girly girl outfits. almost Paris Hilton-like. But as said, a lot has to do with climate. Plus plastic surgery/fakeness is very detectable.

 

[tourist10]

I'm surprised to see so many people characterizing L.A. fashion as the sort of plastic house wife type. I'm not saying that doesn't exist, but I do believe it's a small percentage of people who look like that. I understand the need for generalizations when speaking about a city's style, but still ... you can hardly generalize a city based on such a small group of people. What I do think is generally true is that L.A. is a more casual environment, where you regularly see jeans, flip flops, and the like. And it seems that there are less "fashiony" people who are focused on styles other than the trends ... styles not found on the pages of Lucky Magazine belong to the fashion minorities in L.A.

 

[sail away]

^it's like saying all of america is fat. there are fat people, there are skinny peaople, there are inbetween people. same with other countries. same with style.

 

[Fashionturnip]

never been to either but imo ny=vogue l.A=USweekly lol

... is every1 saying noone wears flip flops/sweats in NY? and no1 ever makes any effort in L.A??--sweeping statements much!!?

 

[after__eight]

NY is definitely chic, classic and stylish while LA is trendy, generic and boring.

 

[seanutbutter]

This thread is so full of generalizations that it's not even funny. (Yet I used the "lol" smiley.)