San Diego Style
by Aimee Cebulski
photos by Vincent Knakal

Paris has Chanel. London has Burberry. New York has Manolos. What’s San Diego style? How do you define the look of a region that encompasses different personalities, neighborhoods, and even climates?.

For answers, we consulted with some local and national style experts to help explain the look of this paradise by the sea. If anything, San Diego style appears to be about comfort and a casual attitude. Even the most black-tie of ensembles usually have a bit of relaxed flair.

Tobi Blatt has two boutiques that bear her name in Del Mar and Carmel Mountain Ranch, as well as Pink in Encinitas. Blatt sees San Diego style as a blending of pieces and designers for an overall unique look. “You don’t see people going for head-to-toe looks from all one designer here like you might in New York,” she says. “Here people like to have creativity in their wardrobe. You might mix a classic Chanel jacket with a trendy pair of jeans — San Diego style is all about comfort with a little attitude.”

One of the reasons San Diegans need flexibility in their wardrobe is the jet-setting nature of local residents. “I have clients who travel often to vacation destinations or second homes in varied climates. Instead of just having one classic suit and a pair of heels, they may need clogs, boots and flip-flops — all within the same week,” Blatt adds.

Local stylist Pam Wilson agrees. “The San Diego style is casual-chic and it has a lot to do with our weather. We don’t have to wear a lot of bulky, heavy fabrics to keep warm, so you see a lot of lighter-weight materials and brighter colors,” Wilson says.

The climate and comfortable atmosphere create a more carefree and artistic style in San Diego, according to Marie Ferris, owner of Matti D in Del Mar. Locals crave trendy fashions and think outside the box. “San Diegans are not afraid of bold colors,” says Ferris. “We get a lot of inspiration and a high-energy level from the ocean and sun here.”

San Diego style pulls a lot of elements from an overall West Coast style, which is more edgy and comfortable than other markets such as Paris or Tokyo. “My clients like to create their own style from blending others and being on the forefront of fashion,” says Blatt. “Now, people on the East Coast want to look like people on the West Coast, and the people on the West Coast want to make sure they don’t have what everyone else has.”

The one thing people in San Diego can’t get enough of is denim. “I’ve never seen a phenomenon like this before — it’s more than a trend,” adds Blatt. In boutiques and stores throughout the region, San Diegans snap up the latest trends in denim as fast as clerks can stock the stores.

Los Angeles-based Planet Funk has locations throughout Southern California and will soon open its first San Diego location at Westfield Shoppingtown Horton Plaza this May. “San Diego is quintessentially California casual,” says Shawn Glasser, marketing director for Planet Funk. “Women here can dress denim up for work with a blazer or pair it with a sexy top for a great outfit for date night,” adds Glasser.

Planet Funk is so confident about San Diego’s love for denim brands like True Religion, Frankie B., Juicy, Diesel, and Seven the store will offer a “Jean Junkie Card” for frequent shoppers.

Buying trendy denim in bulk is definitely a mainstay in San Diego. “You can never have enough jeans,” says Blatt. It’s not just about having one great pair from a hot designer — you have to have multiples, each with a different rinse and finish, and hence, a different feel. “One of the most important parts of selecting a pair of jeans is how they make you feel when you put them on,” adds Blatt. “A trendy pair from the hottest new designer may be worthless if you don’t feel great in them.”

Equally important to the overall local look is the selection of must-have shoes to complete an ensemble. This is one area where climate has a distinct advantage over other fashion markets, including Paris and Milan. The year-round comfortable climate and lack of snow and mud on the ground make it acceptable to wear any type of shoe all year long.

It’s not uncommon to see women dressed for a night out in the middle of January or February sporting open-toe sandals, mules, or flip-flops. Boots are worn for comfort and fashion, not out of necessity to ward off snow. “San Diegans have a lot more choices when it comes to footwear,” says Wilson. “Even the most basic pair of jeans looks great when you pair them with a striking pair of shoes.”

Striking shoes are not difficult to find around town. As with trends in denim and colors, San Diego footwear is more about mixing pieces than sticking to one overall look and designer. Choos and Manolos are just as popular in San Diego’s social circles as they are in New York, but here it is far more likely to see them paired with torn-up jeans and a studded tank than a power suit.

So what is the outlook for San Diego style? This spring, one of the biggest trends will be the resurrection of the peasant/hippie/flower child craze, with lots of soft, flowy blouses and skirts infused with turquoise, cream, and coral. Locals are pairing their favorite pair of ripped, distressed jeans with a blousy peasant top for a weekend outing or brunch in Del Mar.

Chunky jewelry will make a big splash this spring, with a lot of coral and turquoise stones used in nature-inspired pieces. Even individual pieces of coral will adorn necklaces, pins, earrings, and handbags. “Necklaces are back in a big way — look for exotic corals and turquoise mixed with pearls, double and triple wrapped this year,” says Ferris.

This fall, however, keep an eye on the horizon for a distinctly western flair to ride into town, according to Blatt. “We just got back from the fall shoe show in Las Vegas, and boots were everywhere — cowboy boots, suede, leather — even the Italian designers were getting into the act. Expect boutiques to be filled with shades of the Old West this fall and into next year. Jeans with western detailing, such as studs and reverse stitching on the pockets, will be very big,” she says.

Whatever the season or trend, it appears the best piece of advice for someone looking to capture San Diego style is to make each look your own and feel great in it.