I reside in Los Angeles and run a fashion brand—here are my essential wardrobe pieces and my quick five-minute makeup routine.

      If you work in fashion and reside in NYC or Los Angeles—or if you spend time on a specific corner of TikTok—you may have noticed people sporting Charlie Beads. This brand has quickly become one of my favorite up-and-coming labels. If you haven’t yet discovered this line, sustainability is a fundamental principle. All items are crafted locally in L.A. in small quantities, collaborating with hands-on manufacturers and utilizing upcycled deadstock fabrics. Each piece is designed for year-round wear over many seasons. Drawing inspiration from vintage styles and focusing on effortless essentials, it embodies a relaxed yet polished approach to dressing that feels carefree and distinctly Californian.

      The brand was founded by Charlie Hourston, a Vancouver-born stylist and model based in L.A. and the daughter of the designer behind Lotte.99. Her personal TikTok features plenty of outfit inspiration and thoughtful recommendations, showcasing her designs as well as brands she appreciates. She even conducted an entertaining series on her quest to find affordable, durable ballet flats—playfully dubbed “flats on the ground journalism”—where she tested footwear from E. Porselli, Margaux, Gimaguas, Repetto, and others, which is the kind of research I adore. Below, check out her current favorites, including essential wardrobe pieces, her top picks from J.Crew and Tory Burch, her beauty routine, and her shopping recommendations in L.A.

      **Clothes and Wardrobe Staples:**

      "I can’t believe I was so late to discover this Re/Done white tee… It has the perfect vintage fit. I tried it on in-store and chose an XS, even though I usually wear a medium."

      "I saw a friend wearing this, and the slub caught my attention. I ordered a small and medium in white and charcoal and have been wearing them non-stop."

      **Jeanerica**

      Kyoto Dark Blue Righe

      "I’m eager to start a Jeanerica collection. I'm typically a vintage denim lover, but the silhouettes and washes from this brand are immaculate."

      **Buck Mason**

      Natural Field-Spec Boyfriend Crop Henley

      "Buck Mason has become a staple in my wardrobe. I adore this vintage-inspired Henley and hope to try their denim soon."

      "Much of my favorite clothing is vintage. When packing for a short trip, I take a heavy sweater—either my mom's old Helmut Lang or Margiela—along with three white tees and maybe one vintage graphic tee. A Flore Flore tee is one I could wear daily forever."

      **Charlie Beads**

      Starla White Waffle Tank Top

      "Our Starla tank in white is perfect for casual looks and sleeping."

      "My brown Adidas Japan sneakers are versatile enough for workouts or walking 10K steps if needed."

      **L.L.Bean**

      Japan Edition Bean's Field Coat

      "A vintage L.L.Bean barn jacket."

      **Clemence Mountain**

      Dew Top

      "…and I store everything in this lovely weekender bag."

      "I wear my Void ring from Rhose almost daily. I’ve been obsessed with silver since I started making my own jewelry a few years ago, and I've built a curated collection of silver pieces that pair nicely together. Many of my items are from Rhose, Their Studios, and some (mostly bangles) I crafted myself."

      **Ballet Flats:**

      **Repetto**

      Navy Cendrillon Ballerina Flats

      "My navy Repetto flats are ones I wear almost every day."

      **Gimaguas**

      Bailarina Exotic

      "These are surprisingly comfortable, and I love the shape. I would buy more from this brand if I had an unlimited budget."

      **Alex Mill**

      Prince Street Ballet Flat

      "I'm excited to try these Alex Mill flats. The colors are perfectly understated yet vibrant."

      "My first adult pair of ballet flats were silver vintage Miu Miu, which are no longer with me, sadly. So, these are on my radar as a possible replacement."

      **J.Crew:**

      **J.Crew**

      Medium Seaport Tote Bag in Washed Canvas

      "This bag has so many compartments—every girl's dream!"

      **J.Crew**

      Classic Pajama Pant in End-on-End Cotton

      "These pajama pants are so classic, and the embroidered detail is delightful."

      **J.Crew**

      Cashmere High V-Neck Sweater

      "I found myself living in V-neck sweaters this fall, winter, and spring, and I love this gray one I purchased."

      **J.Crew**

      1988 Rollneck Sweater in Cotton

      "The Rollneck is tried and true. I can’t believe I ever existed BR (before Rollneck). You can't go wrong. I have the men’s version in navy, size small, and it drapes wonderfully over my favorite vintage jeans."

      **J.Crew**

      Sperry Authentic Original Unisex Two-Eye Boat Shoes

      "I'm eager for summer to ramp up—I'll be styling these with white jeans and a navy tank."

      **