How to Be a California Girl

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: January 7, 2023 References

The Beach Boys sang in their famous song, “California Girls”, “I wish they all could be California girls”.^{[1]
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Research source} The image of the California girl is often portrayed as blonde, sun kissed, and always clad in a bikini. But you can create your own image of the California girl by dressing in a relaxed and beach ready style, doing your hair and make up to create a tanned look, and acting like a California girl by being adventurous and in touch with nature.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Dressing like a California Girl

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Look for fun swimwear. California girls are known for their love of the beach and are often seen wearing fun bikinis and one pieces, especially in the southern half of the state. Mix and match your bikinis, pairing a bold graphic top with a more neutral bottom. You can also go for one piece suits with bold graphics on it that evoke California, like the Hollywood sign or a beach scene.
- You can also wear your swimwear off the beach by wearing a cover up and jean shorts or a summer dress over your bikini. This way you will always be prepared for a spur of the moment dip in the ocean.
2
Invest in several pairs of jeans. The California girl aesthetic is often described as laid back, chill, and casual.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.} Jeans are a staple of a laid back style, so invest in several pairs of jeans, from skinny jeans to wide leg jeans and boyfriend fit jeans.
- You should also look for jeans that are distressed or ripped to create a more laid back vibe.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kalee Hewlett
  Fashion Stylist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
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3
Shop for vintage kimonos and cover ups. Kimonos are great layering pieces that can be worn over a vintage band t-shirt and jeans shorts for a casual day out or over a long summer dress for date night. Look for kimonos made of interesting prints at flea markets and vintage stores.
- You can also look for cover ups in the form of jean vests or button up shirts that you can then layer over a bikini or a vintage t shirt for the ultimate California look.
4
Get comfortable sneakers, flip-flops, or flats. Many California girls will choose comfort every time, with a preference for Converse sneakers, flat sandals, or close toed flats. You can pair your Converse sneakers with jeans and a t-shirt or jean shorts, a bikini top, and a kimono. You can also wear flat sandals with summer dresses for a relaxed date night look.
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Look for desert boots and wedge heels. If you are looking for a more dressy California girl look, you can pair desert books with a long print skirt or a long print dress. You can also wear wedge heels to give your outfit a bit more of a formal look, while still remaining laid back and very California.
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Accessorize with interesting jewellery and hats. Because the California girl style can be so relaxed and chill, you can use accessories like jewellery and hats to still feel put together. Look for delicate gold jewellery, such as thin rings, thin bangles, or stud earrings. Integrate color into your jewellery by going for turquoise rings and bracelets.
- Many California girls also like to wear straw hats or wide brimmed hats. Baseball caps are also good for casual days out at the beach when you want to keep the sun out of your eyes.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Doing Your Hair and Make up like a California Girl

1
Do the beachy long haired look. Many California girls have a seemingly effortless beachy hair look from swimming in the ocean all day long. You can create this look at home with a few styling tools, no ocean water necessary.
- Start with damp hair, straight out of the shower. Create a rectangle with your hair at the front of your head. Make sure the rectangle extends from the end of one eyebrow to the end of your other eyebrow and four inches back from your hairline.
- Use volumizer spray on the roots of your hair and blow dry your hair using a round brush. Move the brush straight and upward to create a tousled look.
- Once you finish drying your hair, use three fingers to twist the rectangle section so it forms a pin curl and pin it with a bobby pin. Let the section cool as you spray sea salt on your hair. Tousle your hair with your fingers.
- Remove the pin and let the curl fall over your face. Use dry shampoo on the roots of the rectangle section and flip most of the section to one side. This should form a side part that goes from the arch of your eyebrow and angles toward the crown of your head.
2
Try the messy top knot. This is the go to style for many California girls, especially after a long day at the beach when their hair is still damp with salt water. It can also be done at home with the aid of damp hair from a shower and styling mousse.
- Apply two dollops of styling mousse to dry hair or start with damp hair. Use your fingers to apply the mousse from the roots of your hair to the ends.
- Flip your hair over and dry your hair with a blow dryer, using your fingers to roughly blow it out. Dry it until there are no stiff pieces and the mousse is completely dry. If you are using damp hair for this style, you can skip this step.
- While your hair is still upside down, pull your hair together into a ponytail at the very top of your head. Use a hair tie to secure the ponytail and flip your head back up. Divide the ponytail into two sections and twist each section until they come together. Secure the sections at the base of the ponytail with bobby pins.
- Finish with a few spritzes of salt spray.
3
Do minimal eye and lip make up. Keep your face minimal by using a few products on your face. Apply waterproof mascara and minimal foundation so your skin looks natural and fresh. Then, apply a light tint of eyeshadow and lip gloss or lip tint in a warm pink to finish the relaxed California look.^{[4]
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4
Use bronzer for a sunkissed look. Get the ultimate California look by “tanning” your skin tone with bronzer. Use a big make up brush to apply bronzer on your hairline, temples, chin, and jawline. Do one to two swoops of bronzer and do not over do the bronzer, as you do not want your skin tone to look too dark and unnatural.^{[5]
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- Finish by applying bronzer to your neck and chest, including your collarbones, as well as your shoulders and your shins. This will give you a full body sun kissed look.
- Another option is to try self tanner so you have a nice, even tan. However, self tanner can look fake and unnatural if it is applied poorly.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Acting like a California Girl

1
Explore the outdoors with friends and family. California girls are known for their love of the outdoors, especially due to access to many beautiful beaches and national parks. You can embrace this love of the outdoors by making an effort to explore the natural areas where you live on your own, with family, or with friends. This could be weekly hikes, a daily walk in a park nearby, or even a surfing trip to a coastal area with friends. Focus on emulating the California girl way of connecting with nature.^{[6]
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2
Head to the beach for a tan and a swim. Get the California girl look the natural way by going to the beach for a long swim in the ocean and a tanning session in the sun. If you do not live near the ocean, you can spend time tanning outside in your backyard during a warm day or swim in a lake close to your home. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have a pool or a friend with a pool, where you can try the California lifestyle of relaxing by the water.^{[7]
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- Always wear sunscreen before going in the sun or in the water.
3
Dine like a Californian. California cuisine is known for its "fusion" approach and for its focus on natural, locally grown ingredients including fresh (often lightly cooked) vegetables, fresh fruits, and seafood.^{[8]
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Research source} California is also known for Mexican food like burritos and tacos, Japanese food like sushi and sashimi, and anything made with avocado. You may also show a preference for In-N-Out burgers, a popular burger chain in California.^{[9]
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4
Decorate your home in the California aesthetic. Embrace the California vibes by decorating your room or your home with the laid back aesthetic of California. This means combining new furniture with vintage furniture and focusing on keeping the space open and calming. You can also choose furnishings that are light or dark wood and then adding pops of color in the frames on the walls or the light fixtures in the rooms.

Expert Q&A

Question

What kind of clothes should I wear to look like a California girl?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

The California style is a really laid-back, cool, casual vibe that lends itself to vintage tees, distressed denim, and sandals. The climate is always really warm, so you can have some fun with that beach style.
Question

Can I be a California girl if I live in Oregon?

Community Answer

Of course you can! It's all about the attitude and having good vibes, it doesn't matter where you live.
Question

How can I be slimmer or lose weight?

Community Answer

Exercise 3-4 times per week, and eat healthy food. Avoid soda, juice, and other sugary things. It takes time to lose weight, so be patient and consistent.