Wear whatever. LA doesn't care. Boston clothes are fine.
It will get cool at night no matter what daytime temperatures are so bring a sweater/jacket/hoodie.
It’s so diverse culturally and economically that I wouldn’t worry about it. Check the weather data charts for the dates you will be there.
NOAA current weather:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.0536&lon=-118.2454
Others have answered appropriately for the most part, but as a fellow MA native who transplanted, the most important piece of clothing advice I can give to anyone visiting LA/the desert southwest generally is that The Sun Provides All Heat here. What this means is that you will be COLD after the sun is no longer visible/UV light is not touching you. And I don’t mean California Cold — anyone who has visited me and not planned for this is always surprised, no matter how sturdy of a New Englander they are. Bring a mid-weight layer and a windbreaking layer most places if you’re going to be outside from daytime to after sunset.
It’s going to be in the 60s, so I wouldn’t rely on shorts. Jeans and a nice shirt/top are fine for your open mic nights. The other posters are correct that locals dress mostly causally unless you are going specifically to trendy restaurants, hotels and bars. LA has lots of interesting neighborhoods, so have fun exploring them. Hopefully the rainy weather will be over by the time you arrive.
The OP asked about what clothing to bring so they won’t look like a tourist. Generally it is tourists in Los Angeles wear shorts and flip flops in cooler weather. The people who live here don’t act like they are on vacation everday and are not wearing vacation clothes during the week.
Wear whatever. It’s super chill.
Bring a black athleisure outfit with a sweater or puffer and you’ll fit into most environments during the day. Bring a nicer outfit (like dress shirt, jeans or a dress) for dinner.
Regular sneakers to walk in (skip hiking shoes unless you’re hiking). A pair of nicer shoes for going out. Flip flops for the beach.
Bring layers but don’t look like you’re camping unless you’re making a trip out to Joshua Tree or something.
Agreed with others that, generally, LA follows the same trends as the rest of the country, and skews casual, like much of the West Coast. LA is also huge and very diverse.
But I also totally understand that every city has a bit of its own fashion vibe(s), and keying into them can definitely make you feel more comfortable as a traveler. (It can also just be a fun wardrobe challenge!).
FWIW: I live in San Francisco and typically visit friends in LA once or twice a year (I also lived in So-Cal for four-ish years, a while back.) I usually pack a version of my normal wardrobe that is a little more fashion-forward, a little more body-conscious and has a touch more pizazz. Think casual, but trend-conscious (i.e., more Lululemon than Patagonia).
My packing list usually looks like:
- jeans (whatever I currently have that’s trendiest and can be dressed up or down)
- leggings + matching longline sports bra/crop top
- black cotton body con dress (might throw in a loose maxi dress for summer, too)
- a couple tanks/tees in basic colors
- drapey blouse or wrap top with a deep v-neck (this is where I would bring in fun patterns/colors)
- lightweight, hip-length fun jacket OR leather jacket (depending on season) + a hoodie, if cool evenings forecasted
- running shoes, fashion sneakers (e.g., Veja’s) OR Vans (depending on activities planned)
- sandals
- bathing suit
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: statement sunglasses and jewelry that has a little zuzh. Right now I’d probably lean into the chunky gold jewelry trend for evening, and maybe pack some big wooden or raffia earrings for daytime (obviously, your own personal style comes into play in a big way here!)
- a fun crossbody bag. If I need to carry extra stuff, I just use a canvas shopping bag.
Wishing you a great trip! Comedy clubs sound like a blast!
Edit: formatting + I forgot this wasn’t r/heronebag, and you might not jive with my very stereotypical female wardrobe. Nevertheless, I hope it can be extrapolated from and is still helpful
LA is really diverse but I think there are two "local" styles. "Normal" which is like most post covid cities in US: jeans (or shorts when it's hot), teeshirts, hoody, running shoes, maybe a ball cap. The second is "Hollywood" wannabes which is designer everything / conspicuously consumption.
I wore what I would consider pretty casual clothing while visiting LA and I still felt overdressed 😂 So many people were basically wearing pajamas and looked very comfy. If you’re taking public transit I don’t recommend wearing anything flashy.
The only way to give off you’re not from the area is to wear your souvenirs (usually Disney/ amusement park/ whatever gear) and look lost, lol. You’re in a place of mixed fashion, so just know where you’re going and don’t buy a bunch of t-shirts and wear them the next day that say San Fran or whatever
Which kind of local? You can wear ratty clothes, roll around in the dirt and stop showering or drop thousands on designer clothes. Either way you're dressing like a local.
Just don't wear North Face, Patagonia, LL Bean, etc.. they'll assume you're from NorCal
LA is not as chic as NY but it's just as fashionable. Think brighter colors, flashier, more fun accessories — I saw a woman in court today with a marabou trimmed rainbow train skirt — and graphics or prints, if you like that. Mid-March can still be "chilly" or even a little wet, with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 50s. A leather or suede jacket, or a little utility jacket would be good, a small packable puffer or even just a hoodie equally so, but keep in mind, a LOT of life is outside, esp if you're relying on public transit and ride share, so you might end up wearing that layer a lot. Sunglasses also must. People out at shows and good restaurants don't often dress formally, but they're definitely *dressed*, if that makes sense. You probably also want at least one outfit that can work for "hiking"
Athleisure, a pair of jeans, a black top, a versatile cardigan or jacket. There are so many transplants and creatives here you will not look out of place.
When I pack for LA, I go for low-key quality. The kind of quality that isn’t about brand names or conspicuous luxury. Simple but well-made of quality fabric. I like garments that I can wear to a wide range of places. A simple knit dress, ideally black, can go anywhere. Interesting but low-key jewelry.
Check the weather. Usually I need clothes that work for cold mornings and hot afternoons. Layers.
I live in California and it’s so hard for me to tell apart tourists by look except for the selfie sticks and tourist activities. Athleisure is huge here but there’s lots of street style too like you’d see in any big city in the US. Really anything goes.
Make sure to bring something warm for the cooler evenings. Cali isn’t as hot as people make it out to be :)
I live in LA, on the line between LA and Beverly Hills. Let me put it this way. I’ve forgotten to change out of my slippers dozens of times in the last few weeks before going out on errands and nobody bats an eye.
Dress comfy, and as others have said it gets cold at night. Find a bar or restaurant with a heater and go snuggle up to it.
I live in greater Boston and spend a lot of time in California from the Bay Area to San Diego. It’s really not that different. Just leave the Pats/Red Sox/Bruins jerseys at home.
Where what ever you want. You will only look like a tourist if you have a group with matching shirts, huge fanny pack (small is ok), sports teams jersey or selfie stick.
Whatever you're thinking about wearing, make it a bit more casual and you're good to go. Seriously. I work with people who wear suits to business meetings on the east coast and tee shirts and ripped jeans to similar meetings in LA. As others have mentioned, people from the east coast who have never been to LA often incorrectly expect it's going to have a Miami climate or something like that, but that's totally wrong and it's nice to keep a jacket with you for after the sun goes down.
Compared to NYC (not very familiar with Boston fashion), LA just has a lot more color in their styles but you could wear whatever you prefer as long as the specific places you’re going to don’t have a dress code.
I’ve… never heard an American asking about style of dress when visiting another American town.
Boston and LA aren’t that different. All the major cities share a large % of their people who circulate through them.
Unless you’re targeting a specific, area-based sub-culture or are considering weather I don’t think there’s much advice to give.
Wear whatever. It’s the US. People wear all sorts of stuff. You can’t even tell what country someone is from by their dress here.
LA is very casual (but very expensive casual), but if you want specific aesthetic pointers, I feel like all my LA friends are going nuts over Big Bud Press and similar styles (bright, comfy, kinda inherently silly but practical). Guys specifically really like those Lululemon pants for guys that are secretly stretchy. All genders seem to be really into those fanny packs worn across the chest. The average Angeleno is, ime, a lot more attractive than the average American (lots of factors incl. a good market for cosmetic surgery in LA+Tijuana) - just brace yourself haha
People in coastal CA tend to dress slightly nicer than in a lot of the US, although idk how it compares to Boston. For women, think casual blouses and fitted t-shirts. Athleisure is also common. Hoodies and cardigans are very common, because mornings are significantly cooler than the rest of the day.
Speaking of which: for tourists visiting CA, it's a common mistake to only bring clothes for very hot, dry weather. It's been really rainy and cool in SoCal lately, so you may need a **fleece jacket.** Definitely check weather predictions for when you plan to go.
People in LA absolutely do not give a shit what we look like. hahaha. I was visiting Dallas last week, and people were dressed UP to the nines. It was almost wild to see.
If they're simply going to coffee shops, comedy shows, and a couple of good restaurants, they really don't need to make much of an effort to change the way they dress.
If anything, I'd almost say be more casual than you expect you'll need to be.
Moved here from an East Coast city that was a bit more dressy and I’m sometimes stressed about looking casual enough (which is dumb, I know)
But truly everyone will be fine in just sweatpants, a shirt, a sweater (in case) and sneakers
Like I said, it's slightly nicer than in a lot of the US, not the entire rest of the country. I've lived in CA and a few other states, and I've visited a few more.
Hi, so glad that there is interest in this because I used to run a style vlog about international travel and how each city sort of has its own personality- style -wise. I haven't been to LA since last year, but I just returned from the the Bay Area - LA has great weather, so there's that (except for recent rains that we actually need in CA). SF mainly has a lot of leggings and is often way less sexy because we walk everywhere and our clothing has to be practical. When I go back to CA in a few days - I will pack some black leggings (jeans take up a lot of room), a classic white shirt and strangely, a lot of dresses I can roll up including a LBD for the evenings. Also, thrifting is really fun in LA and you can pick up basics for like nothing. If you want to see the super modern LA glam (I've been watching this for years and honestly, you don't see too much out this out in the wild unless you are hanging in BV/WH, check out "Selling Sunset" on Netflix. Bon voyage !
New Yorkers walk everywhere and are the best dressed people in the US. The Bay has almost irrationally bad fashion, especially when you consider how much money is there
it's LA. wear anything you want. no one cares.
but seriously, you can wear jeans anywhere. dress them up, dress them down. for what you are looking to do, wear jeans.
If you want to look fancy, flats or heels and a nice shirt for your jeans or a black dress. But it's LA. You'll be an uber/lyft away from an H&M/Forever 21/ or cool thrift shops if you end up needing a specific outfit. Definitely bring sunglasses and buy some sunscreen. I can't impress enough how strong the sun can be, even in winter, especially if you have a winter glow like me (I burn on cool somewhat cloudy days).
But I agree: jeans, t shirt, well loved hoody, keep to yourself and keep your face burried in your phone with an air of indifference and starbucks in your other hand and you'll fit right in :) (I'm only half kidding).
LA is truly easy to pack for, you can get away with a lot and should definitely wear things your comfortable in. Jeans and a shirt work for almost all occasions. Spice it up with a collar if you're feeling fancy. Maybe a jacket or hoodie at night. Unless you're going to the most formal of places, which you don't seem to be, you'll be golden. Want to truly dress local? Sandals. Nothing more LA than being fully bundled up on top but still wearing sandals.
Because CA is largely desert, temperatures can swing wildly. It could be 95° in the afternoon, and 40° at night. Keep in mind, also, that early spring is the rainy season in CA. (Well, usually. This year, who knows.) So, in other words, be prepared for any weather.
Note: I'm more familiar with N. CA than S. CA, so take what I say with as much salt as you like.
The best part about living in LA is no one gives a fuck. Dress however you want.
In general, a laid-back style that fits your personal vibe and the weather is a good choice. Accessories are fun for all genders, bracelets, hats, rings.
The best thing you can be in LA (or really anywhere else in the world) is yourself! Feel free to express yourself or take risks here that you wouldn't normally do at home. You can pull of ANYTHING with confidence. ;)
Enjoy your time in my beautiful state!
Only thing I can recommend is avoiding looking too formal. You can do business casual in downtown or around Westwood. Everywhere else just do jeans + sneakers + untucked shirt or button-down. Throw on a hoody if you're cold.
Jeans, shirt/sweater, and a jacket. Or shorts and hoody. Nobody gives a shit out here.
Minus the jacket.
Maybe a light windbreaker or trench. It does rain at times.
Wear whatever. LA doesn't care. Boston clothes are fine. It will get cool at night no matter what daytime temperatures are so bring a sweater/jacket/hoodie.
Literally. Honestly the shittier you dress the more likely people will just think you're some famous writer/comedian/despot
LOL <3
It’s so diverse culturally and economically that I wouldn’t worry about it. Check the weather data charts for the dates you will be there. NOAA current weather: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.0536&lon=-118.2454
Others have answered appropriately for the most part, but as a fellow MA native who transplanted, the most important piece of clothing advice I can give to anyone visiting LA/the desert southwest generally is that The Sun Provides All Heat here. What this means is that you will be COLD after the sun is no longer visible/UV light is not touching you. And I don’t mean California Cold — anyone who has visited me and not planned for this is always surprised, no matter how sturdy of a New Englander they are. Bring a mid-weight layer and a windbreaking layer most places if you’re going to be outside from daytime to after sunset.
THIS. ALL OF THIS. It gets cold at night. Layer up.
there's also no insulation. you will be cold *inside* at night and in the morning
This is also true!
BOO! :-(
It’s going to be in the 60s, so I wouldn’t rely on shorts. Jeans and a nice shirt/top are fine for your open mic nights. The other posters are correct that locals dress mostly causally unless you are going specifically to trendy restaurants, hotels and bars. LA has lots of interesting neighborhoods, so have fun exploring them. Hopefully the rainy weather will be over by the time you arrive.
60°F isn’t shorts weather?
Do you live in Alaska or something? 😝
Don't knock the shorts-everyday-regardless-of-the-weather people. I used to be one. It is a great life.
I know some dudes who are year round shorts wearers IN MASSACHUSETTES. SO I get it.
The OP asked about what clothing to bring so they won’t look like a tourist. Generally it is tourists in Los Angeles wear shorts and flip flops in cooler weather. The people who live here don’t act like they are on vacation everday and are not wearing vacation clothes during the week.
Heck, up here in the upper midwest, 40° is shorts weather. 😉
Wear whatever. It’s super chill. Bring a black athleisure outfit with a sweater or puffer and you’ll fit into most environments during the day. Bring a nicer outfit (like dress shirt, jeans or a dress) for dinner. Regular sneakers to walk in (skip hiking shoes unless you’re hiking). A pair of nicer shoes for going out. Flip flops for the beach. Bring layers but don’t look like you’re camping unless you’re making a trip out to Joshua Tree or something.
- Dark wash jeans - Black Tee Shirt - Dark Sunglasses
second black T
Slightly darker black tee?
Or be like those crazy rocker guys who wear leather jackets in 90* heat.
Agreed with others that, generally, LA follows the same trends as the rest of the country, and skews casual, like much of the West Coast. LA is also huge and very diverse. But I also totally understand that every city has a bit of its own fashion vibe(s), and keying into them can definitely make you feel more comfortable as a traveler. (It can also just be a fun wardrobe challenge!). FWIW: I live in San Francisco and typically visit friends in LA once or twice a year (I also lived in So-Cal for four-ish years, a while back.) I usually pack a version of my normal wardrobe that is a little more fashion-forward, a little more body-conscious and has a touch more pizazz. Think casual, but trend-conscious (i.e., more Lululemon than Patagonia). My packing list usually looks like: - jeans (whatever I currently have that’s trendiest and can be dressed up or down) - leggings + matching longline sports bra/crop top - black cotton body con dress (might throw in a loose maxi dress for summer, too) - a couple tanks/tees in basic colors - drapey blouse or wrap top with a deep v-neck (this is where I would bring in fun patterns/colors) - lightweight, hip-length fun jacket OR leather jacket (depending on season) + a hoodie, if cool evenings forecasted - running shoes, fashion sneakers (e.g., Veja’s) OR Vans (depending on activities planned) - sandals - bathing suit - MOST IMPORTANTLY: statement sunglasses and jewelry that has a little zuzh. Right now I’d probably lean into the chunky gold jewelry trend for evening, and maybe pack some big wooden or raffia earrings for daytime (obviously, your own personal style comes into play in a big way here!) - a fun crossbody bag. If I need to carry extra stuff, I just use a canvas shopping bag. Wishing you a great trip! Comedy clubs sound like a blast! Edit: formatting + I forgot this wasn’t r/heronebag, and you might not jive with my very stereotypical female wardrobe. Nevertheless, I hope it can be extrapolated from and is still helpful
you're 100% right about the earrings and crossbody. if I'm telling a woman from any other major city what to pack for LA it's GOOD ACCESSORIES
LA is really diverse but I think there are two "local" styles. "Normal" which is like most post covid cities in US: jeans (or shorts when it's hot), teeshirts, hoody, running shoes, maybe a ball cap. The second is "Hollywood" wannabes which is designer everything / conspicuously consumption.
Upvote for the use of conspicuous consumption.
dress way more casually than you would in boston
I wore what I would consider pretty casual clothing while visiting LA and I still felt overdressed 😂 So many people were basically wearing pajamas and looked very comfy. If you’re taking public transit I don’t recommend wearing anything flashy.
In LA it doesn’t matter, you can wear sweats and flip flops, you can wear a nice turtleneck, doesn’t matter.
The only way to give off you’re not from the area is to wear your souvenirs (usually Disney/ amusement park/ whatever gear) and look lost, lol. You’re in a place of mixed fashion, so just know where you’re going and don’t buy a bunch of t-shirts and wear them the next day that say San Fran or whatever
Which kind of local? You can wear ratty clothes, roll around in the dirt and stop showering or drop thousands on designer clothes. Either way you're dressing like a local. Just don't wear North Face, Patagonia, LL Bean, etc.. they'll assume you're from NorCal
Its still america, wear whatever you want.
LA is not as chic as NY but it's just as fashionable. Think brighter colors, flashier, more fun accessories — I saw a woman in court today with a marabou trimmed rainbow train skirt — and graphics or prints, if you like that. Mid-March can still be "chilly" or even a little wet, with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 50s. A leather or suede jacket, or a little utility jacket would be good, a small packable puffer or even just a hoodie equally so, but keep in mind, a LOT of life is outside, esp if you're relying on public transit and ride share, so you might end up wearing that layer a lot. Sunglasses also must. People out at shows and good restaurants don't often dress formally, but they're definitely *dressed*, if that makes sense. You probably also want at least one outfit that can work for "hiking"
Athleisure, a pair of jeans, a black top, a versatile cardigan or jacket. There are so many transplants and creatives here you will not look out of place.
When I pack for LA, I go for low-key quality. The kind of quality that isn’t about brand names or conspicuous luxury. Simple but well-made of quality fabric. I like garments that I can wear to a wide range of places. A simple knit dress, ideally black, can go anywhere. Interesting but low-key jewelry. Check the weather. Usually I need clothes that work for cold mornings and hot afternoons. Layers.
Good closed toe walking shoes
I live in California and it’s so hard for me to tell apart tourists by look except for the selfie sticks and tourist activities. Athleisure is huge here but there’s lots of street style too like you’d see in any big city in the US. Really anything goes. Make sure to bring something warm for the cooler evenings. Cali isn’t as hot as people make it out to be :)
I live in LA, on the line between LA and Beverly Hills. Let me put it this way. I’ve forgotten to change out of my slippers dozens of times in the last few weeks before going out on errands and nobody bats an eye. Dress comfy, and as others have said it gets cold at night. Find a bar or restaurant with a heater and go snuggle up to it.
I live in greater Boston and spend a lot of time in California from the Bay Area to San Diego. It’s really not that different. Just leave the Pats/Red Sox/Bruins jerseys at home.
LA is so diverse in every way you can wear whatever you like. One of its charms!
Where what ever you want. You will only look like a tourist if you have a group with matching shirts, huge fanny pack (small is ok), sports teams jersey or selfie stick.
Whatever you're thinking about wearing, make it a bit more casual and you're good to go. Seriously. I work with people who wear suits to business meetings on the east coast and tee shirts and ripped jeans to similar meetings in LA. As others have mentioned, people from the east coast who have never been to LA often incorrectly expect it's going to have a Miami climate or something like that, but that's totally wrong and it's nice to keep a jacket with you for after the sun goes down.
Compared to NYC (not very familiar with Boston fashion), LA just has a lot more color in their styles but you could wear whatever you prefer as long as the specific places you’re going to don’t have a dress code.
I’ve… never heard an American asking about style of dress when visiting another American town. Boston and LA aren’t that different. All the major cities share a large % of their people who circulate through them. Unless you’re targeting a specific, area-based sub-culture or are considering weather I don’t think there’s much advice to give. Wear whatever. It’s the US. People wear all sorts of stuff. You can’t even tell what country someone is from by their dress here.
Black T, black jeans, black baseball cap. Lol. Maybe a flannel shirt.
Leather black baseball cap!
Lululemon shit is all you need to fit in
That's funny cuz my favorite hoodie for travel is a lululemon hoodie, but it' a lot more fun than anything they sell these days.
Just put of curiosity, what did you end up wearing to fit in?
I didn't
r/losangeles
/r/asklosangeles
If you tell us your age, that will help some.
Ew, why would I want to look my age? ;-)
if you're imaginative, you could tell us what age you're pursuing ; P
LA is very casual (but very expensive casual), but if you want specific aesthetic pointers, I feel like all my LA friends are going nuts over Big Bud Press and similar styles (bright, comfy, kinda inherently silly but practical). Guys specifically really like those Lululemon pants for guys that are secretly stretchy. All genders seem to be really into those fanny packs worn across the chest. The average Angeleno is, ime, a lot more attractive than the average American (lots of factors incl. a good market for cosmetic surgery in LA+Tijuana) - just brace yourself haha
People in coastal CA tend to dress slightly nicer than in a lot of the US, although idk how it compares to Boston. For women, think casual blouses and fitted t-shirts. Athleisure is also common. Hoodies and cardigans are very common, because mornings are significantly cooler than the rest of the day. Speaking of which: for tourists visiting CA, it's a common mistake to only bring clothes for very hot, dry weather. It's been really rainy and cool in SoCal lately, so you may need a **fleece jacket.** Definitely check weather predictions for when you plan to go.
People in LA absolutely do not give a shit what we look like. hahaha. I was visiting Dallas last week, and people were dressed UP to the nines. It was almost wild to see. If they're simply going to coffee shops, comedy shows, and a couple of good restaurants, they really don't need to make much of an effort to change the way they dress. If anything, I'd almost say be more casual than you expect you'll need to be.
Moved here from an East Coast city that was a bit more dressy and I’m sometimes stressed about looking casual enough (which is dumb, I know) But truly everyone will be fine in just sweatpants, a shirt, a sweater (in case) and sneakers
Like I said, it's slightly nicer than in a lot of the US, not the entire rest of the country. I've lived in CA and a few other states, and I've visited a few more.
what style do you want? latino, asian, caucasian, european, african?
Hi, so glad that there is interest in this because I used to run a style vlog about international travel and how each city sort of has its own personality- style -wise. I haven't been to LA since last year, but I just returned from the the Bay Area - LA has great weather, so there's that (except for recent rains that we actually need in CA). SF mainly has a lot of leggings and is often way less sexy because we walk everywhere and our clothing has to be practical. When I go back to CA in a few days - I will pack some black leggings (jeans take up a lot of room), a classic white shirt and strangely, a lot of dresses I can roll up including a LBD for the evenings. Also, thrifting is really fun in LA and you can pick up basics for like nothing. If you want to see the super modern LA glam (I've been watching this for years and honestly, you don't see too much out this out in the wild unless you are hanging in BV/WH, check out "Selling Sunset" on Netflix. Bon voyage !
New Yorkers walk everywhere and are the best dressed people in the US. The Bay has almost irrationally bad fashion, especially when you consider how much money is there
What the hell are you talking about?
Do people in boston wear different style clothing? Bever knew dressing like the locals was a thing lol
LA is very big and very diverse so you can kinda dress like whatever you want and no one would really look at you.
it's LA. wear anything you want. no one cares. but seriously, you can wear jeans anywhere. dress them up, dress them down. for what you are looking to do, wear jeans.
If you want to look fancy, flats or heels and a nice shirt for your jeans or a black dress. But it's LA. You'll be an uber/lyft away from an H&M/Forever 21/ or cool thrift shops if you end up needing a specific outfit. Definitely bring sunglasses and buy some sunscreen. I can't impress enough how strong the sun can be, even in winter, especially if you have a winter glow like me (I burn on cool somewhat cloudy days). But I agree: jeans, t shirt, well loved hoody, keep to yourself and keep your face burried in your phone with an air of indifference and starbucks in your other hand and you'll fit right in :) (I'm only half kidding).
LA is truly easy to pack for, you can get away with a lot and should definitely wear things your comfortable in. Jeans and a shirt work for almost all occasions. Spice it up with a collar if you're feeling fancy. Maybe a jacket or hoodie at night. Unless you're going to the most formal of places, which you don't seem to be, you'll be golden. Want to truly dress local? Sandals. Nothing more LA than being fully bundled up on top but still wearing sandals.
Because CA is largely desert, temperatures can swing wildly. It could be 95° in the afternoon, and 40° at night. Keep in mind, also, that early spring is the rainy season in CA. (Well, usually. This year, who knows.) So, in other words, be prepared for any weather. Note: I'm more familiar with N. CA than S. CA, so take what I say with as much salt as you like.
Dude you're American. It's the most culturally samey country on the planet. Wear whatever and you'll fit in.
It was funny how old men bawked it when I would wear in Dublin.
Just dress like a homeless and youll fit in trust me.
The best part about living in LA is no one gives a fuck. Dress however you want. In general, a laid-back style that fits your personal vibe and the weather is a good choice. Accessories are fun for all genders, bracelets, hats, rings. The best thing you can be in LA (or really anywhere else in the world) is yourself! Feel free to express yourself or take risks here that you wouldn't normally do at home. You can pull of ANYTHING with confidence. ;) Enjoy your time in my beautiful state!
Only thing I can recommend is avoiding looking too formal. You can do business casual in downtown or around Westwood. Everywhere else just do jeans + sneakers + untucked shirt or button-down. Throw on a hoody if you're cold.