California girls have long been the subject of envy. Whether it is a song describing their effortless appeal, a book dedicated to their style, or an article explaining the ins and outs of Californian style, the appeal of a California Girl look is strong.  Their style is coveted because they look relaxed, happy and sun-kissed. Even if you're not living anywhere near a beach, you can still look like a California girl once you revamp your wardrobe.

Wear thin, lightweight fabric. Linen, cotton, and chiffon are all thin, lightweight fabrics that create a breezy, effortless vibe central to the California girl look. While some of these fabrics are common because of their ability to breathe in California heat, they are all extremely low maintenance and easy to care for, lending to the laid-back vibe essential to California living

Wear denim bottoms. California girls are known for their denim bottoms, whether that means a pair of distressed denim jeans, a pair of cut off shorts, or a short denim skirt tossed on over the day’s swimsuit

Use bright colors. California is known for two things: heat and sunshine. To play up the sunny atmosphere of California, California girls are known to wear bright, happy colors, ranging from bright fuchsia to a sunny butter yellow. You can wear colors in large spaces, like a brightly-patterned sundress, or add a pop of color with a bright scarf or pair of shoes.

Make sneakers your go-to footwear. One of the best and simplest elements of California girl style is the laidback approach to footwear. Tennis shoes are seen on everyone, everywhere. Instead of being used primarily with pants and a tee, sneakers are considered great footwear for pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses, and are the perfect way to dress down a dress or skirt.

Use salt spray. Beachy hair is usually achieved through the combination of sun and the salty ocean spray. If you don’t have access to a beach, you can fake your way to California girl hair by using a leave-in salt spray, which will create a thick, wavy texture to hair of all colors, lengths, and textures.

Keep your skin full and moisturized. One of the hallmarks of California style is youth. To make sure you appear as youthful as possible, keep your skin full, healthy, and moisturized. Invest in a good-quality skincare routine that wards off pimples and dry skin, while optimizing plump and smooth skin

Wear natural-looking makeup. When you're doing your makeup, don't go overboard. Healthy skin, a well-groomed brow and a little bit of blush are all you need for a natural California look. If you want to put on more makeup, opt for a light tinted moisturizer instead of using a heavy base. If you usually make up both your eyes and your lips, pick one or the other - either wear mascara and a light, tinted lip balm, or bright matte lipstick and down-played eyes.

Be yourself. California style doesn't follow a specific set of rules because it's centered on sticking to your individual aesthetic. Embrace your own sense of style and wear it with a casual, confident attitude, and you'll already be most of the way there ❤