The East Coast is very different from the West Coast. The differences that I have noticed are profound and are well expressed by shoes and clothing brands.
West Coast:
1. Rainbows
Spending $51 on a pair of sandals has never felt so good. There is a reason why these shoes are one of the most popular in California, as they are durable and comfortable. East coasters - take notes! You can easily wear them until December on the West Coast, so it is definitely worth the investment.
2. Vans
Vans are the quintessential skater-chic shoe that has been adopted by so many along the coast of southern California. You won't beat it for comfort and style and versatility. This is a shoe that looks better the more it is worn!
3. Converse
The classic Chuck Taylor. No shoe has a cleaner and classic silhouette than this shoe--they even market it that way as a brand! Comfortable and durable (are you sensing a theme yet?) and they also look pretty darn good once they are well loved and worn. So pick up a pair of these babies and a long-board and you are already halfway to becoming a Southern Californian!
4. Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks: The Jesus-chic look. These have been soaring in popularity along the West Coast as they slowly creep down the coast into Southern California. Easily unmatched for comfort. The only people I have seen on the East Coast sporting these babies are imported Canadians on the hockey team. They seem to know what's up.
5. Clothing
There really is not one brand that you can say is dominated by Californians. Anything that looks good and feels good should fly. Take a walk down the beaches to find some inspiration if you need it.
East Coast:
1. Sperry
Nothing says East Coast like boat shoes. If you want to pretend that you live on a boat 24/7 even when you're on the mainland these are for you! Commonly seen around every preppy east coast campus in the United States, these babies are something else. These shoes work well for... well... looking preppy! You might as well pick up Van's/Converse and put the extra $40 to better use!
2. Bean Boots
Never before seen: Boots that have sub-par grip and look so interesting neither gender is sure who should wear them! Easily the most popular boot on the East Coast when there is a surplus of white, cold dust on the ground that is never seen in SoCal.
3. Vineyard Vines
Who would have thought that an overpriced pink whale brand would be so popular? I never laid eyes on anything that was this brand until I got to the East Coast and to be honest... I have not warmed up to it at all. I am still trying to wrap my head around how a company that makes shirts like one pictured above is so popular! Maybe the clothing is just super comfortable.
4. Timberlands
There truly is nothing quite like the construction-worker chic look that is sported by what seems like 90 percent of males on East Coast campuses ding winter. No more really needs to be said. (The other 10 percent subscribe to the duck boot look.)
In short, when a Southern Californian makes the long trip out to the East Coast, they need to be prepared. When you need to buy a pair of boots eventually, because Rainbows will only get you so far remember these three things:
1. It is okay to give in to the East Coast trends and pretend to be an East Coaster at heart. Buy your Bean Boots and Sperry's if you really want!
2. In order to offset what was mentioned above, try to secretly bring some In N Out on the plane so you can carry it around with you.
3. When you truly do miss home, don't forget that both Converse and Vans have come out with weather-ready shoes so you can keep your West Coast style and wear it for the whole world to see!
