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Chances are if you work in fashion and live in NYC or Los Angeles—or you’re on a certain side of TikTok—you’ve probably seen someone wearing Charlie Beads. It’s quickly become one of my favorite emerging brands.
If you haven’t come across the line yet, sustainability is a key part. Everything is produced locally in L.A. in small batches, working with hands-on manufacturers and using upcycled deadstock fabrics. Each piece is meant to be worn through every season for years to come. Pulling from vintage references with a focus on easy-to-wear essentials, it captures a relaxed yet put-together way of dressing that feels carefree and distinctly California.
The label was started by Charlie Hourston, a Vancouver-born, L.A.-based stylist and model and the daughter of the designer behind Lotte.99. Her personal TikTok is full of outfit inspiration and thoughtful recommendations, from her own designs to different brands she’s into. She also did a series on finding an affordable, durable pair of ballet flats—what she playfully called “flats on the ground journalism”—testing options from E. Porselli, Margaux, Gimaguas, Repetto, and more, which is exactly the kind of research I love.
Below, shop her current favorites, including wardrobe staples, what she’s loving at J.Crew and Tory Burch right now, and her beauty routine, plus her L.A. shopping recommendations.
Clothes
Wardrobe Staples
“I can’t believe I’m so late to this Re/Done white tee… It’s the perfect vintage fit. I tried on in person and grabbed an XS, and I’m usually a medium.”
“I ran into a friend who was wearing this, and the slub really caught my eye. I ordered a small and medium in white and charcoal and have been reaching for them nonstop.”
Jeanerica
Kyoto Dark Blue Righe
“I would love to start a Jeanerica collection. I am usually a vintage-denim girl through and through, but its silhouettes and washes are pristine.”
Buck Mason
Natural Field-Spec Boyfriend Crop Henley
“Buck Mason has become a staple of mine. I love this vintage-inspired Henley. I am hoping to try its denim soon.”
“A lot of my favorite things are vintage. When I pack for a short trip, I bring a thick sweater—mom’s old Helmut Lang or Margiela—give or take three white tees, and maybe one vintage graphic tee. A Flore Flore tee would be one I could wear every day forever.”
Charlie Beads
Starla White Waffle Tank Top
“Our Starla tank in white, great for a casual look and sleeping in.”
“My brown Adidas Japan sneakers because I could work out in them or walk 10K steps if I have to.”
L.L.Bean
Japan Edition Bean’s Field Coat
“A vintage L.L.Bean barn jacket.”
Clemence Mountain
Dew Top
“…and I throw it all in this gorgeous weekender bag.”
“I wear my Void ring from Rhose almost daily. I have been obsessed with silver since I started making my own jewelry a few years ago, and I have amassed a curated collection of silver pieces that all pair really well together. A lot of my pieces are from Rhose, Their Studios, and a few (mostly bangles) I made myself.”
Ballet Flats
Repetto
Navy Cendrillon Ballerina Flats
“My navy Repettos. I wear them almost every single day.”
Gimaguas
Bailarina Exotic
“These are surprisingly comfortable, and I love the shape. I would buy more shoes from the brand if I had an unlimited budget.”
Alex Mill
Prince Street Ballet Flat
“I’m eager to try these Alex Mill flats. The colors are perfectly understated yet primary.”
alex mill
Prince Street Ballet Flat
“My first pair of ballet flats (as an adult) were silver vintage Miu Miu. They are no longer with us sadly, so these are on my radar as a potential replacement.”
J.Crew
J.Crew
Medium Seaport Tote Bag in Washed Canvas
“This bag has so many sections—a girl’s dream!”
J.Crew
Classic Pajama Pant in End-on-End Cotton
“These pj pants are so classic, and the embroidery detail is precious.”
J.Crew
Cashmere high V-Neck Sweater
“I found myself LIVING in V-neck sweaters this fall/winter/spring and love this gray one I bought.”
J.Crew
1988 Rollneck Sweater in Cotton
“The Rollneck is tried and true. I can’t believe life BR (before Rollneck) was ever a thing for me. You can’t go wrong. I have the men’s in navy, size small, and it drapes so well over my favorite vintage jeans.”
J.Crew
Sperry Authentic Original Unisex Two-Eye Boat Shoes
“I’m so excited for summer to ramp up—I’ll be wearing these with white jeans and a navy tank for days.”
Tory Burch
Tory Burch
Lock Suede Satchel in Brown
“This bag is iconic. It fits SO much, including my laptop, and has lots of compartments. The color and shape are timeless. She will be passed down to my future child.”
Tory Burch
Romy Hobo Bag in Black
“I’ve had this bag for a while, with the intention of wearing it to the office, but I work from home, so that didn’t happen. Recently I used it as my personal item when traveling, and I was amazed at how chic it looked with my barn coat. 10/10.”
Tory Burch
Reva Travel Ballet in Black
“This flat feels very 2000s in the best way. I’m truly obsessed with the Tory logo and the way the black on black looks—very IYKYK.”
Charlie Beads
Charlie Beads
Chuck Hoodie Grey French Terry
“I’m really proud of our vintage-inspired hoodie. It’s sold out numerous times. I run into friends wearing it almost daily, which is the biggest compliment. It’s like a safety blanket!”
Charlie Beads
The Chuck Cargo Pant Green
“Our cargo pants are so good—we dropped these really subtly in our Scout collection in December, and they’ve been a sleeper hit. I keep getting texts that boyfriends are stealing them.”
Charlie Beads
The 90’s Bias Mini Skirt
“The 90’s skirts are endlessly wearable, lightweight, and packable.”
Charlie Beads
Babydoll Bloomer
“White bloomers are a vacation staple for me.”
Charlie Beads
Charlie Button Up White
“This top is based on a shirt my mom has had since before I was born—a lot of our stuff is influenced by her. Its feminine shape is perfect for day/night, and the elongated cuff adds a subtle edge. For oversize button-downs, my boyfriend or I thrift.”
Bags
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Julian Bag, Black Calf
“This bag is everything. It actually fits SO much. Funny story: I was riding a Citi Bike through Central Park, and it fell out of my basket and got caught on the front wheel, and I went OTB (over the handlebars). I have some epic scars to prove it. Anyway, the saddest part was that the bag was ripped to shreds, so it was out of commission for a while. I finally took it in to my leather guy, and he patched it up like new!”
“Pacific Tote makes amazing bags. I use them daily! I’m a huge schlepper, and I love having a collection of totes to chuck things in.”
Shoes
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Olympia Wedge, Cape Cobra
“I had my eye on the MNZ Olympia wedge for about five years before I finally purchased. It occurred to me the other day they’ve been around for at least eight years if not longer? I love when an independent brand has its core pieces. It’s hard to not buy a second pair. My friend told me she could run a mile in them, and that sold me. She was right.”
“These have become my go-to heels for castings. They are so comfortable I feel like Cinderella slipping my foot into them (perfect fit). Tip: Size down a full size.”
Maguire Shoes
Douro Black Loafer
“Didn’t know it was possible for loafers to feel like butter.”
Sunglasses
Vincent Boulevard
Camille in Onyx & Grey
“Everything Vincent Boulevard is doing is great.”
Easton Marley
The Mayer in Jet
“This pair from Easton Marley reminds me of CBK, but it offers a thinner silhouette, which I think complements my face better.”
“I’m obsessed with all the girlies wearing Ray-Ban wayfarers. I want a pair, but I already have these, and they do the exact same thing. Big fan of all of the brand’s styles. This is my most-worn style.”
Beauty
A.M. Skincare
“If I’m swollen, I’ll ice my face with this genius invention—an ice gua sha.”
Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun Bundle Set
“Lives up to the hype—make sure you get the Korean formula.”
LESSE
Awakening Eye Cream
“This was gifted to me and feels so luxe and hydrating.”
Dieux
Forever Eye Mask Reusable 100% Silicone Patches
“I definitely don’t use these every day, but I love that they’re reusable.”
P.M. Skincare
ENVIRON
Botanical Infused Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser
“I use Environ’s cleanser, retinol, and sebu-clear masque.”
“My sister-in-law gifted this to me for Christmas a few years back and did extensive research to find that the men’s light penetrates deeper into the skin. I use it four times a week and love it.”
Hydrinity Skin Science
Hyacyn Active
“I carry this around and spray throughout the day. It’s a fancy hypochlorous acid.”
5-Minute Makeup
M.PH
Underpainting Face Highlight & Contour Palette
“This underpainting palette is so easy to use. I don’t go without it!”
Sephora
Super Serum Skin Tint Spf 40 – Hydrating Foundation – Matira St11
“This lives up to the hype. My dad told me my skin looked amazing while I had this on!”
Kosas
Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation Spf 25 With Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide
“I hadn’t used foundation in years… until I discovered this last week. Game changer.”
Merit
Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush
“This brush for foundation/skin tint is incredible. So dense and soft.”
“I’m a huge fan of KJH on TikTok and have changed the way I think about makeup because of her. This brush is fantastic for blending out concealer.”
Ilia
Limitless Lash Mascara
“I’m a lover of brown mascara and have been using this one forever.”
Merit
Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade
“I use this in shade light brown—makes my brows so fluffy!”
“I think this is the coolest beauty invention—it makes my skin look instantly hydrated. I put it everywhere.”
Lip Combo
Kylie Cosmetics
Precision Pout Lip Liner
“Kylie has always done lips well—this liner is my go-to. I like matching as close as possible to my natural lip color to just round out the shape of my lips. Add a gloss or Aquaphor and I’m done.”
Shower Products
Sunjalink
Everywhere Wash
“This bodywash I received for Christmas has an addictive smell that makes me feel like I’m at a spa on the side of a mountain with no cell service.”
Sans Savon
Body Bar Charlevoix Boreal Forest Blend
“I’ve been loving this body bar paired with this body brush. As someone who is bad at exfoliating, this duo makes it fun and easy, and it’s not abrasive.”
Athena Club
Fluffy Shave Butter
“This is the only shaving cream I use.”
Athena Club
The Razor Kit
“…and the only razor brand I use. I also have the mini for travel. The Dyson of Razors.”
Nala Care | Free-From Skin Care
Sandalwood & Bergamot, Extra Strength Natural Deodorant
“I could never get into deodorant until I found this. It lasts all day, smells luxe, and is made in Canada.”
“I discovered this on set. Most hair and makeup artists have it in their kit. I love the smell and the fact that it’s a spray.”
Hair Routine
Crown Affair
The Hair Towel
“It may seem silly to have a designated $59 hair towel—unless you’re on the curly side of hairtok. Then you get it. I bring this towel with me when I travel. That’s how serious it is. When I take my hair out, it’s 80% dry and ready for styling product.”
Rōz
Milk Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner Hair Serum
“After I towel-dry, my goal with my hair is to support my natural curls. I apply between three and five pumps of this while scrunching my hair up to help shape my curls. I used to have an extensive hair routine until I realized this was all I really need to air-dry.”
Rōz
Foundation Hydrating & Reparative Hair Mask
“I’m not married to any shampoo, but I have been loving this as a mask and conditioner recently. I’m a Rōz girl through and through.”
Bumble and Bumble
Surf Spray for Beachy Waves
“I’ve tried so many, and this is the only one I like. They’re all too drying and sticky. This one is just right. Yes, I’m definitely spiritually aligned with Goldilocks.”
L.A. Shopping Recommendations
Lotte.99
“I’m definitely biased, but I think my mom’s brand (Lotte.99) is incredible—she has a variety of transitional, classic, easy pieces that I am obsessed with. Her white skirts, her fabric choices, artist shirts, jackets, and raw denim are just a few I am constantly rotating in my closet. Like Charlie Beads, all of her manufacturing is done in L.A. and made in limited quantities.”
Snack
“My friend from Vancouver recently opened up [Snack] at Platform in Culver City, and I’m obsessed with her selection of independent brands. You can also schedule a styling session with the founder, Noa, who you’re bound to fall in love with!”
DLR
“DLR is my favorite denim store. I met one of the founders, Alexander, when they were selling at the Rose Bowl and got a pair of vintage Japanese baggy buckleback jeans that I wore on repeat for months. Once they opened up their store in the Arts District, I went in for a tighter ’90s-fit jean and have worn them nearly every day since. The name DLR is the owners combined initials but also stands for ‘dealer’ as in denim dealer. Tell them Charlie sent you!”
Charlie Beads
“The Charlie Beads studio is now open for appointments! We are figuring out what days work best for us, and for now we are open Sunday 11 to 4.”
Larchmont Beauty Center
“I buy all my beauty products at Larchmont Beauty Center. The staff are so kind, and the store has everything under the sun and that mom-and-pop charm that I tend to seek out in retail.”
