Every time I pack to go home, I face the same fashion problem. It’s not the giant climate difference between Manhattan and Northern California - it’s the style disparity that’s the issue.

Last time I was home, my mom said, “Everyone always does a double take when you walk by!” And it’s not because of my luscious hair. Apparently, my outfits are so far-out for California, I leave a string of confused bystanders in my wake. And here’s the thing - my style’s not so crazy.

I wore an emerald green, billowy, silk dress with leather gladiator sandals and an armful of bracelets to my sister’s graduation in August. I could have rocked it to the drugstore in New York, but apparently I was WAY over-dressed for a graduation.

And the poufy babydoll dress I wore out that night? I’m pretty people though it was a cast-off from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show - which is totally fine. It was my favorite dress this past summer and that’s all that matters to me.

But I wonder how different my trips home would be if I dug the bootcut jeans out from the back of my closet, and brought just one pair of shoes home - my Converse. Would I finally go unnoticed in a town so small that everyone notices everything?

Do you tone down your city-style when you go home to the suburbs? Or do you dress just the same, but with a little more attitude?