Hi--I am coming to LA this weekend for a quick trip. I'm coming from NJ, where fall is in full swing, so my wardrobe is basically black turtlenecks and jeans and boots. I see the forecast is high 60's low 70's, slight chance of rain. So, how do I pack? Are my jeans and turtles ok-or are capris more fitting. Sandals or boots? Not a real dilemma, I know, but just want to dress right. My teens want to take shorts; I told them jeans. Any advice?

The locals will probably be in their version of fall clothes (darker colors but appropriate weight for the temps). Jeans are fine and IMO so are capris, especially if they're not too light in color. If you don't mind looking like "visitors" wear whatever you like. I think you'll be too warm during the day in turtle necks though.

I would let the kids take some shorts but also jeans/slacks. Why either the extremes of sandals or boots? What's wrong with shoes???

WE live in LA and my teens wear jeans and short-sleeve t-shirts during the day. They still wear shorts too but keep in mind their shorts are long, practically go past their knees! The mornings and nights can be brisk so they also take pull-over sweatshirts when they leave the house. For evening or out-to-dinner wear, they usually wear long-sleeved collared shirts with their jeans or khakis.
As for my husband and myself we wear jeans, short-sleeve shirts and always take a jacket for the evening.

I think it depends on what you'll be doing here. Have your kids pack shorts and jeans. (the kids at my sons' school are still wearing shorts to school daily) Turtlenecks will be too warm. My suggestion would be to layer. It is chilly (by LA standards) in the am and later pm, but generally warm during the day.

mclaurie, I can't speak for luv2go but because our temps are so mild, we wear boots for fashion rather than weather.

Also, my jeans are all very long even though I'm tall and my boots all have 4 inch heels.

I'm 6 foot in shoes and my jeans still drag the ground! Yikes!

Wow, thanks for the quick responses.

Funny, I guess boots or sandals does sound extreme. But, I do do hardly ever wear shoes with my jeans. Once fall kicks in, out come the boots.

As for my teens, the boys shorts are WAY long, but the girls are WAY short. Perhaps sister should concentrate on jeans! And I figured sweatshirts were necessary.

We are going to Disneyland on Friday, adn doing a whirlwind touristy day on Saturday--Hollywood Walk of Fame, cruise through Beverly Hills, up to Malibu, down to Santa Monica/Venice Beach.

For you, what you suggest is fine, but I'd add other tops that aren't so confining, because even with the prospect of rain (not high), we're experiencing the Santa Anas (high winds) right now, which brings the temperatures up.

The teens should also bring BOTH jeans and shorts for the same reasons. My 15 year old son and his friends are still wearing the long shorts during the day and sometimes evening too -- usually to Thanksgiving when they switch to jeans. At school and at the malls, you see them wearing both. The girls that age are not wearing shorts at this time of year -- they wear the low cut jeans mostly with midriff showing tops.

luv2go - don't know if shopping is on your agenda or not... I was in LA for 5 days in August with my 16 year old daughter's dance group. We shopped everywhere! My favorite was Santa Monica's open-air shopping mall. Great stores and some street entertainers as well. The second favorite was in Hollywood, another large open-air shopping complex right on Hollywood Blvd I think it was called Hollywood Highlands? I'd skip Venice Beach unless they just need to take a look at the tatoo parlors and unsual looking individuals that frequent this area.

I think Paige is referring to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and the Hollywood & Highland complex in Hollywood.

I agree that girls aren't wearing shorts right now. However, they are wearing those little skirts.

Whatever they decide on will not be noticed once you're mingling with the masses in Hollyweird and Venice Beach.

Shorts for boys should be fine although with a slight chance of showers this weekend, it could be a little cooler (by CA standards). My 17 yr old daughter is wearing jeans and a short sleeved top. Of course she can't wear a midriff showing top to school, but one style these days is layering T-shirts on top of each other. That's mostly what she wears. We still wear opened toe shoes as much as possible (sandals, flip-flops) however it is now getting pretty chilly once the sun goes down. Boots are generally more for fashion although good to have for the cool evenings. Just make sure you have a light jacket for early morning/evenings. Enjoy your trip.

You're from Jersey? I'm from Jersey! What exit?

LA Fashion?

Mini-skirts up to here paired with UGG boots.

OR

Capri sweats (yes, they make capri-lenght sweats - amazingly!) paired with UGG boots.

THAT's fall weather in LA.

As a shortie, I am loving the capri length sweats. I have never before found sweats that stop at my ankles rather than drag the floor