For a couple of months now, it’s basically been my third job to go out on the town. I know, schmoozing and boozing sound incredibly daunting. Really—it is when I spend the whole night surveying the crowd, who all think I’m cruising for my next Friday night date. I’ve met eyes with countless boys and girls who wonder when I’ll stop playing games and buy them a drink. But I’m not looking for love. I’m only interested in the exterior. Their clothes, that is. Los Angeles fashion gets a bad rap. From an outsider’s perspective, we have a less developed style than say, New York. Supposedly, men wear Ed Hardy shirts with designer denim and trucker hats (a friend of mine calls it the “LA Douche” look). Women dress like boring Jessica Simpson clones. Oh, and they think we still wear cowboy boots—that’s an embarrassment. If they only knew that stylish muses do roam the LA streets; at least East of Vermont Avenue.

So my mission was clear. I scoured house parties, the Cha Cha, Pehrspace, fashion shows, Short Stop, La Cita, and Downtown warehouse parties to find the most chic and interesting individuals on the Eastside. While you will find a lot of beautifully avant-garde, offbeat dressers here, I favor a more simplistic aesthetic. I don’t believe that certain people can make tacky work, and I don’t support vintage styles that look too dated. What I do like is personal style, people who have fun with dressing, and understated whimsy.

I was drawn to girls in easy dresses, functional layering, and a minimalist approach to accessorizing. Vintage is always popular, but it is an exquisite art that calls for a keen eye. Bad pieces can look too costumey and retro. Debbie (above, left) is dressed head-to-toe in vintage but still looks modern. Vanessa (above, right) channels her favorite fashion house, Chloe, by mixing vintage with a modern basic (her skirt is American Apparel). She was sweet enough to divulge her favorite spots: Savers and Thrift Shoppe in Orange County.

Senna (above, left) and Jenny (above, right) both frequent Wasteland, but love designers. I love how Senna mixes a very polished coat with playful thigh-high socks and a grungy oversized beanie. Her favorite label is Marni, and she draws inspiration from Japanese street style. Jenny wears a gorgeous Biba dress, Lanvin shoes, and the most coveted handbag in the world: the Birkin. Upon sighting her ensemble, I actually had heart palpitations. She’s the perfect example of how dressing in designers can be totally unpretentious.

But you don’t need big bucks to look chic. Audry (above, left) grabbed her adorable wrap from Urban Outfitters (Note: She’s wearing a Bart Simpson shirt underneath—it’s the personal touches that make dressing so fun!). And sometimes it’s about working with the resources you’ve got—Meg (above, right) shops in her roommate’s closet. She pairs to-the-knee boots with a men’s shirt to create a look where edge meets approachability.

Not only are girls like Audry and Meg into the biggest trend of the season, but guys (obviously) love plaid too. I always appreciate a man with low-maintenance style. It should be less about showmanship, and more about comfort—with a twist. That’s why these guys look so effortlessly cool in this pattern. It’s an easy look to pull off on a budget. Juan (above, left) likes a thriftstore in Montclair called Great Deals. Hassan (above, right) hits up the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

And it’s totally smart to throw a good pair of vintage style jeans into the mix. Neima (above, left) practically lives in his Levi’s. Some guys can pull off a more put-together look. Bryan (above, right) keeps it simple with obscure labels like Blood is the New Black and Official Tourist. The main thing to keep in mind with menswear: it’s all about the fit.

So, there’s my version of LA’s best dressed. Stay tuned for more in upcoming months! I’m willing to suffer through the routine of going out every night and stalking fashion glitterati, just to give you a glimpse into the inspiring world of LA Eastside street style.

By: Dana Poblete