

From Downtown to Santa Monica, Los Angeles is known for its laid-back nature, oftentimes overlooked as one of the most fashion-forward cities in the world. Because of the effortless approach to everyday streetwear, the city is often underestimated when it comes to the early adaptation of trends wearing outerwear, knits, and accessories that have proven to be breakout hits of the season. It's always a good idea to look at what some of LA’s most fashionable people are wearing, as they often set the tone for sporting pieces before they become mainstream must-haves. LA’s fresh take on ready-to-wear is in a genre of its own, defining the iconic West Coast aesthetic.
Since 2021, fashionistas have been stepping out in a variety of wardrobe staples that are both fresh and modern but with a vintage feel. With clear sunny skies and 365 days of close-to-perfect weather, practicality and comfort encourage creative yet casual combinations when it comes to winter fashion.
Some of the leading trends include statement pieces that stray from typical fall classics but remain grounded in practicality. Oversized moto jackets and lengthy maxi skirts are all familiar fall fashions but the updated silhouettes feel excitingly new and current. Winter accessories like oversized fur hats make a statement yet, a cozy alternative to the subtle baseball caps that trended this summer.
There are so many options to wear this season, and as always I’m inspired by the most fashionable women in my city. For inspiration on how to broaden your wardrobe this season, check out the most underrated items taking over LA.
1.The Utilitarian Maxi
With mini skirts dominating every list of what to wear this fall, maxi skirts are quickly becoming an edgier alternative for fashion girls in LA. The long length creates a modestly modern silhouette perfect for a stylish transition from spring to fall and throughout winter. With a variety of designs and fabrics, there’s a maxi skirt that fits almost any occasion. Wear it with sneakers for a daytime look or pair a heeled sandal for a sexy night out.
2.The Abstract Print
Gaining traction over the last year, abstract prints inspired by high fashion designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier are still a favorite among local fashionistas. Hypnotizing geometric patterns have replaced classic animal prints as the go-to for cool girls in LA. Designed with maximalists in mind, this style is a fun addition to a semi-casual look paired with oversized cargo pants and square-toed high-heeled boots.
3.The Oversized Colorful Cardigan
During this time of year, clear skies are common in sunny southern California with subtle drops in temperatures for a slight taste of fall. An oversized cardigan is the perfect layering piece to make a cozy statement in the not-so-cold weather. Typically when worn, the comfy knit is kept cool and casual layered over a tank top paired with a skirt, trousers, or sweatpants for a stylish on-the-go look.
4.The Classic Motorcycle Jacket
I’m in my early 2000s era this fall revisiting my love for vintage leather motorcycle jackets as the coat trend begins to take over LA’s fashion-forward crowd. The heavy-duty leather and metal hardware embody a bad-to-the-bone persona for the fashionistas that live for the wild side. Pair with trousers or a full leather-on-leather ensemble with matching pants for an edgier approach to the season's most daring outerwear trend.
5.The Furry Statement Hat
Winter accessories, especially hats, are an essential addition to a fall/winter stylish look, even in a city that gets mildly chilly. Over the years, bucket hats have been created in an array of designs from crocheted knits to coated leather, getting bolder as the weather gets colder. This season, faux fur fabrics in a range of deep pigments and eye-catching oversized shapes are turning heads as the final piece to finish off a fashion-forward look this season.
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Featured image byCourtesy of @_chaantall/Instagram
- The It List: LA’s Most Stylish Women Are Buying These Items This Summer ›
- 5 Outfit Ideas For A Chic Transition From Summer To Fall ›
- I Live In LA & These Are The Items That’ll Keep You Cool This Winter ›
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Does hearing the phrase, “you’re such a good girl,” during sex turn you on? If so, you might have a “praise kink.” When I hear the term praise kink, the church girl in me wants to immediately play “The Lady, Her Lover and Lord” while riding reverse cowgirl. But that’s not what is meant by the term praise kink.
A “praise kink” is a sexual fetish that focuses on overt praise, exaggerated compliments, and an outpouring of verbal affection.
What Is a Praise Kink?
The concept of praise kinks isn't new, but thanks to TikTok, a lot of people are now realizing they might identify as praise kinksters. Currently, the hashtag #praisek1nk is trending with 568.9 million views, with tons of creators posting about their love for compliments and words of affirmation during sex. I, too, love a good compliment during sex. I once had a lover sing my praises about how good I was at a certain bedroom activity. His affirmations gave me WAP, but does that categorize me as having a praise kink?
How To Know if You Have a Praise Kink
Just because you love receiving praise doesn’t mean you have a praise kink. Someone with a praise kink experiences an intense level of sexual excitement from being praised or verbally affirmed by their partner during sex. You might have a praise kink if hearing your partner tell you how pretty you are makes you cum or if the thing that makes sex go from good to great is hearing your partner's thoughts about how good you are at giving head. And if, during solo play, the thing that gets you all hot and bothered is recalling the times your partner called you a good girl, it’s probably a praise kink.
Generally, a kink is a sexual activity that is needed for someone to enjoy sex. When it comes specifically to praise kinks, if you need reassurance from your partner that you're sexy, or good in bed in order to orgasm, you have a praise kink.
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Examples of Praise Kink Phrases To Try With Your Partner
If you’re new to the term and looking to explore, you probably have questions about what phrases to use. It may take a lot of communication and some trial and error to figure out what phrases work best for you and your partner. Ultimately, the best phrases to use vary from person to person and are based on what sex acts you and your partner enjoy, or what parts of their body they like complimented.
To get you started, here are some generic praise kink examples to try out with your partner:
Praise Kink Examples:
- You're such a good girl/boy.
- You're so good at [insert skill].
- You look so hot when you [insert activity].
- Your [insert body part] is irresistible.
- You taste so good. I can't get enough of you.
- You just have the perfect [body part].
- Just like that… you’re doing so good.
- Who taught you how to be so good at [something?]
While many examples of praise kink involve specific verbal affirmations, praise can also come in the form of brief words or phrases like “yes,” “keep going,” or simply a moan. No matter what type you prefer, praise kink is all about finding what feels good and exciting, and turns you and your partner on the most.
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Originally published on November 4, 2022