8 Items in Every Chic L.A. Woman's Capsule Wardrobe
From Hailey Bieber to Kaia Gerber.
The key to no-stress dressing isn't groundbreaking or new. We talk about it all the time: a capsule wardrobe. The more you own, the harder it will be to put outfits together. Meanwhile, a small, heavily curated closet will make for simple but effective combinations and streamline your morning process, whether you're heading to an outdoor lunch with friends, packing for a trip, or dressing up for a date night out. Nobody understands this better than women in L.A., who have all but mastered laissez-faire dressing. Think pretty boho blouses, white jeans, and leather flip-flops. They know what they like—breezy, comfortable, but still elevated pieces—and aren't afraid to wear them again and again. Outfit repeaters, you know what's up.
Ahead, scroll through 2026's Los Angeles capsule wardrobe, which includes pieces cosigned by the likes of Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Devon Lee Carlson, among other L.A. It girls. If you're moving to L.A. (like I just did), they're sure to become the backbone of your closet. Think of them like matcha or Pilates. They're an inevitable part of living in Los Angeles. (I've still yet to get on the matcha train, but it's only been one week. I'm sure the urge will kick in soon enough.) Start your L.A. dressing journey with the eight capsule-wardrobe items below. Trust me. These are investments you won't regret. In fact, you'll probably reinvest in them again and again.
2026 Los Angeles Capsule Wardrobe
1. White Jeans
When it's summer all year round, there's no need to store away your white jeans for the majority of the year (as if anyone does that anymore anyway), which is probably why the denim color is so prevalent among fashion people in Los Angeles. Yes, they wear blue jeans too, but white has a freshness to it that perfectly combines with L.A.'s sunny weather and air of nonchalance.
2. Three-Quarter-Sleeve Boatneck Top
Sorry to your classic white tees, but a boatneck tee with three-quarter sleeves is taking the top spot among the chicest people in Los Angeles this year and probably for years to come. Bieber, Gerber, and Sabrina Carpenter are all fans of the style, and favorites include versions by Cou Cou, Flore Flore, and Los Angeles Apparel.
3. Knee-Length Skirt
It's a knee-length-skirt summer, and everyone cool in Los Angeles is on board. The style is preferred because it's easy and casual while still looking polished, whether you pick a pencil skirt, a lace-trim skirt, or a version in poplin or linen. To do it like women in L.A., keep the styling simple. Throw on a sweater or tee, and for footwear, opt for strappy sandals or ballet flats.
4. Leather Ballet Flats
Nine times out of 10, when I see a stylish person in Los Angeles, they're wearing ballet flats, often black ones with minimal embellishments. Much like French women, women in L.A. rely heavily on the comfortable flats, styling them with jeans, tailored trousers, athletic shorts, poplin skirts, and sundresses. Essentially, they wear them with everything.
5. White Boho Blouse
If there's one thing all L.A. It girls can agree on, it's the importance of owning at least one pretty boho blouse that's probably from Dôen. They work with white skirts, jeans, trousers, and more. Plus, they're perfect for warm weather, offering a breezier alternative to classic T-shirts, which can sometimes be too thick and heavy for 90-degree temperatures.
6. Trench Coat
In reality, trench coats are a staple in every city's chic-girl capsule wardrobe. They're lightweight and comfortable yet practical and elevated. You can't go wrong if you choose one as your top layer, something that women in London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles know all too well.
7. Leather Flip-Flops
Everyone's wearing flip-flops right now, but the chicest women know that a leather pair is what takes this shoe trend from the beach to a day out. Wear them with workout clothes for a Pilates class or jeans and a simple black tee to channel Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the '90s. There's really no wrong way to do leather flip-flops in 2026, especially in L.A., where it's always sandal season.
8. Capri Pants
Whether you opt for pedal-pusher leggings or a longer tailored version, you'll fit right in wearing capri pants, especially if you wear them like local fashion people with flip-flops or strappy heeled sandals. Legging versions are especially prevalent in California because of their workout-to-brunch pipeline. Just add accessories to dress them up post-sweat.
