style
NYC isn't the only fashion capital
Aviator Nation
By: Anna Ben Yehuda Rahmanan
Jael Rucker
Published Jun 12, 2023
Although many consider New York to be the country’s preeminent fashion capital, there is something about Californians’ usually laid-back style that has recently propelled the region to the forefront of trend-related conversations on both sides of the Atlantic.
And it’s not just about how folks in California dress, but about how they build their closets. West Coast-born brands seek to manifest a specific sort of attitude through garments that are stylish and comfortable but also eco-friendly. Most of these—the 21 best California clothing brands you should know about—have made a commitment to the environment, developing socially conscious lines that don’t compromise style for ecological responsibility.
RELATED: The 22 Best American Clothing Brands to Check Out in 2023
1. Noon Goons
Noon Goons
- What We Recommend From Them: Jackets, T-Shirts, socks, and more
- Product Range: T-shirts, hoodies, hats, socks, and more
- Price Range: $55 - $400
Surfer Kurt Narmore founded Noon Goons back in 2016 in an effort to appeal to both surfers and punk-loving style aficionados. Think old-school joggers, loads of plaid, and eclectically constructed (and colored) pants.
2. Aether
Aether
- What We Recommend From Them: Jackets, shackets, fleece hoodies
- Product Range: Jackets, hoodies, shoes, hats, gloves, and more
- Price Range: $200 - $500
The epitome of style-meets-function, standout articles by Aether include motorcycle jackets with removable armors, easy-looking pants made with a textured Italian jersey and a pair of motorcycle boots boasting the kind of refined urban aesthetic that Los Angeles is now known for. The brand was founded back in 2009, when Palmer West and Jonah Smith settled on a design-focused collection that would fit their outdoors lifestyle without compromising the elegance that all city dwellers boast.
3. James Perse
James Perse
- What We Recommend From Them: Linen shorts, tees, flight pants
- Product Range: T-shirts, pants, ballcaps, shorts, duffle bags, and more
- Price Range: $100 - $400
Back in 1991, James Perse was looking for a baseball cap. Following a grueling, fruitless search, he decided to design a cap himself, which he eventually sold to Maxfield. Three years later came a T-shirt collection and, four years after that, an entire collection. From standard, plain T-shirts to jersey lounge trousers and all things cashmere, the line is stocked with the kind of subtly cool pieces that you’ll likely don for many years.
4. Outerknown
Outerknown
- What We Recommend From Them: Button-down shirts, sweat shorts, blanket shirts, and more
- Product Range: T-shirts, pants, polos, henley shirts, accessories, and more
- Price Range: $100 - $300
World champion surfer Kelly Slater launched Outerknown to "lift the lid on the traditional supply chain and prove you can actually produce great looking menswear in a sustainable way." Boy, was she right. All the manufacturers involved in the brand’s production systems abide by the Fair Labor Association and Bluesign guidelines, which means that the hoodies, sweatshorts, tees, polos, and jackets sold aren't only pretty to look at but completely eco-friendly.
5. Aviator Nation
Aviator Nation
- What We Recommend From Them: Hoodies, jackets, trucker hats, sweaters
- Product Range: Outerwear, tops, bottoms, accessories, hats, and more
- Price Range: $200 - $300
A lifestyle brand launched in 2006 by Paige Mycoskie, Aviator Nation is in the business of casual wear. All pieces boast a vintage essence defined by a worn-in look and expose natural stitching. Shop trucker hats, beanies, shorts, swimwear and look the boldest you've ever looked.
6. Skingraft
Skingraft
- What We Recommend From Them: Bandana shirts, canvas jumpsuits, belted trousers
- Product Range: Bandanas, tops, bottoms, jewelry, footwear, and more
- Price Range: $150 - $500
Inspired by performance art, brothers Jonny and Christopher Cota launched this California brand in 2006. Since then, Skingraft has achieved a sort of cult status, defining local trends for years on end. Celebrities the likes of Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz, Usher, Missy Elliot, Beyonce, and Rihanna have donned the brand's signature dark designs, including unisex military jumpsuits and punk cargo pants.
7. The Elder Statesman
Elder Statesman
- What We Recommend From Them: Sweaters, cardigans, lounge pants, crewnecks, and more
- Product Range: Sweaters, shirts, cardigans, robes, and more
- Price Range: $1,500 - $3,000
This luxury fashion brand by Greg Chait, The Elder Statesman,has come a long way since first launching in Los Angeles in 2007. At first, Chait released a line of custom blankets. Today, ready-to-wear cashmeres are the brand's specialty, which prides itself on the production of incredibly luxurious pieces "with a relaxed West Coast look and attitude."
8. Simon Miller
Simon Miller
- What We Recommend From Them: Blazers, jackets, earrings, clogs, and more
- Product Range: Tops, tees, clogs, accessories, hats, bags, and more
- Price Range: $200 - $600
Taking classic, traditional styles and imbuing them with a modern flair, Simon Miller is an LA-based brand helmed by Chelsea Hansford and Daniel Corrigan. The label launched in 2008 solely carrying men's denim. Today, the men's collection, which now includes shirts, sweaters and much more, is complemented by a coveted women's line.
9. John Elliot
John Elliot
- What We Recommend From Them: Camp shirts, denim jeans, kimono shirts, bombers, and more
- Product Range: Tees, shorts, denim, sweatshirts, jackets, and more
- Price Range: $500 - $2,000
High-end sports clothes made in the heart of Los Angeles are John Elliot's specialty. Launched in the spring of 2012, the brand seeks to coalesce function and modernity through unique fabrics that are custom knit in the United States and usually sourced from Japan. Block color T-shirts and one-of-a-kind hoodies dominate each season.
10. George Esquivel
George Esquival
- What We Recommend From Them: Lace-up sneakers, shoe laces, watches, handbags, and more
- Product Range: Sneakers, shoe laces, scarves, duffle bags, and more
- Price Range: $150-$2,500
George Esquivel is by many considered the king of men’s shoes and leather goods. If it's a classic-looking shoe that you're in search of (black leather, burnished brown), he's got it. If you're looking for something a bit more eclectic (pink ostrich-colored footwear, anyone?) then you're also in luck. Most of the details on each product are hand-painted inside the brand’s very own lab.
11. Parabellum
Parabellum
- What We Recommend From Them: Wallets, briefcases, bags
- Product Range: Belts, wallets, bags, passport cases, and more
- Price Range: $100 - $400
This is a California based leather goods maker, Parabellum,boasts its ability to createeach product by hand in Los Angeles, "using bison leather and technical ceramic hardware.” An ethical brand at its core, it seeks to make fashion efficient by working with a domestic supply chain and offering products at relatively "reasonable prices." The brand launched in 2008 with a single item, the Peacemaker Belt, which made the media rounds and eventually cascaded the launch of other products, from handbags to wallets and even more belts. The owners and founders are Mike Feldman and Jason Jones.
12. Vuori
Vuori
- What We Recommend From Them: Shorts, polos, workout apparel, joggers, and more
- Product Range: Tops, bottoms, tanks, henley shirts, polos, and more
- Price Range: $50 - $200
Founded by Joe Kudla in 2014, Vuori is an activewear brand where you can athetic/workout shorts, tanks, joggers, and the likes. The brand comes highly rated from those who have shopped, and the prices are very affordable. Great for those into the gym and active lifestyle.
13. OAS Company
OAS Company
- What We Recommend From Them: Shorts, polos, workout apparel, joggers, and more
- Product Range: Tops, bottoms, tanks, henley shirts, polos, and more
- Price Range: $90 - $200
Founded by Oliver Adam Sebastian (OAS), OAS Company is a timeless brand that captures individuality, creativity, and vacation nostalgia, while also encompassing the values that care about most—sustainability, inclusivity, and responsibility while still pushing the boundaries of what considered traditional fashion. That's why we rock with them!
14. Buck Mason
Buck Mason
- What We Recommend From Them: Pocket tees, pima tees, cargo shorts, cargo pants, and more
- Product Range: Outerwear, tees, shirts, polos, shorts, and more
- Price Range: $45 - $250
Buck Mason is brand that is committed not just to sustainability, but their overall craftsmanship as well. You can find just about any of the basic staples at Buck Mason including a range of shirts, polos, jackets, and more, and the pricing is very kind to your wallet which is always a thumbs up from us.
15. VAER
VAER
- What We Recommend From Them: Chronograph watches, dive watches
- Product Range: Watches, tactical watches, solar watches, watch straps, and more
- Price Range: $300 - $600
If in need of a watch, trust and believe VAER has some of the best in the universe with products along the likes of standard chronographs, solar watches, tactical watches, and more. If the large assortment of watches isn't enough, the company also offers watch accessories such as leather and rubber straps. A versatile brand that only keeps growing with time.
16. Dandy Del Mar
Dandy Del Mar
- What We Recommend From Them: Gaucho shirts, terry cloth shirts, bucket hats, corduroy pants, and more
- Product Range: Tops, bottoms, hats, swimwear, accessories, and more
- Price Range: $90 - $250
Dandy Del Mar is an environmentally conscious brand that represent what beach life is supposed to be about—fun, fulfilling, and relaxing. Here you can find the coolest gaucho shirts and bucket hats, along with items you wouldn't really expect from a "beach brand" such as corduory pants. Definitely check them out if you haven't already.
17. CUTS
CUTS
- What We Recommend From Them: Polos, sweatshirts, concorde joggers, gym shorts, and more
- Product Range: Outerwear, tops, bottoms, and accessories
- Price Range: $150 - $250
CUTS—the home of some of the most comfortable clothing you'll ever wear. CUTS gives you all the basics and more at an elevated level for all seasons, not just the summer. The brand has been worn by many notable athletes such as Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and continues to expand with each passing year. Get you some CUTS stat.
18. Municipal
Municipal Clothing
- What We Recommend From Them: Sherpa hoodies, t-shirts, utility shorts, training shorts, and more
- Product Range: Sweatshirts, t-shirts, underwear, and more
- Price Range: $50 - $100
The best way to describe Municipal Clothing is a little bit streetwear mixed with athletic wear that has a basketball influence. There's tons of gear that you can purchase for at or below the $100 mark, and we hear their clothes are high quality and durable.
19. Pact
Pact
- What We Recommend From Them: Button-up shirts, crewnecks, boxers, undershirts, and more
- Product Range: Tops, bottoms, shorts, pants, accessories, and more
- Price Range: $25 - $150
Consider Pact for your Los Angeles brand shopping as well as they are sustainable, and dedicated to giving you products of the utmost care and quality without being a brand that requires you to spends hundred or thousands in one go. You can snag a lot of essentials at Pact, and the company has some gems that you can purchase if you go digging.
20. Mika Jaymes
Mika Jaymes
- What We Recommend From Them: Jogger pants, pulloveer hoodies, tees, and more
- Product Range: Tees, henley shirts, button-up shirts, joggers, and more
- Price Range: $100 - $200
Mika James is a brand located in downtown L.A. that is all about modern refined styles. Each garment of their's is hand sewn by tailors that have decades of experience resulting in clothing that is ethically and thoughtfully produced while also being long-lasting and durable.
21. Bearbottom
Bearbottom
- What We Recommend From Them: Stretch shorts, board shorts, t-shirts, and more
- Product Range: Tops, bottoms, accessories, activity wear, and more
- Price Range: $35 - $100
Launched in January 2014, Bearbottom's motto is "It's not the clothes that inspire us, it's what you do in them," and that alone represents the ethos of the brand, which has expanded over the past decade to make versatile men's clothing. If you are looking for swimwear, Bearbottom has it. If you want casual clothes and accessories, Bearbottom has those things as well. And more! Check them out.
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