Bold, unapologetic, with a finger on the pulse of fashion, New York street style has always been at the forefront of boundary-pushing style. As one of the global fashion capitals, New York is home to fashionistas, artists, and creatives alike who use the city sidewalks as their own catwalk to show off their unique personal style. It’s no wonder so many look to New York for inspiration when choosing their ensemble for the day.
Whether it’s a look uniquely their own or the ability to perfectly replicate runway trends, New Yorkers are unafraid of bold fashion and taking risks. The ability to mix streetwear easily with fashion pieces is something uniquely New York and keeps the intrigue alive.
The city is ever-evolving and with it, the outfits paraded through the sidewalks. Ahead, we’ve gathered 14 looks that prove New York City’s street style is unmatched.
Pro Pattern Mixing
Making it look so easy, New Yorkers aren’t ones to shy away from mixing patterns. Picking patterns in similar colorways and using varying size scales make pairing patterns a snap. A pop of color in your handbag and similarly patterned boots bring the whole look together.
Masterful Contrast
New York style is all about something elegant with something less serious. I suppose it perfectly encapsulates the personality of the city. A cheeky graphic sweatshirt and baseball cap work easily with a feminine maxi skirt in a look that oozes confidence and cool. A pop of color on the heels only adds to the freshness of this look.
Statement Coats
In New York, people walk everywhere and that means battling all the elements. To cover up an outfit, outerwear better do all the talking when stomping the concrete jungle. Bonus points if it’s big, bold, and jaw-dropping.
Layering Statement Pieces
Mixing patterns is one thing, but layering textures is another. This is a case study in style and balance. The long chunky cardigan over a twee plaid bustier coordinates well with the tulle and flounce of the skirt. Some black combat boots give the look another added dimension of texture.
Suited Up
People in New York never shy away from a good-suiting moment. Not to be too stuffy, an oversized suit looks soft, comfortable, and cooler than your typical pantsuit. Layering a button-up and knit top underneath take this look to the casual side of workwear for a street style staple.
Blurring the Lines of Eveningwear
A little black dress is perfect for daytime just as much as nighttime. Since people in New York are constantly on the go, it’s not uncommon to wear the same thing from the office to grab drinks and dinner. Why not look fabulous all day long?
Old Meets New
The city is rife with pristine vintage finds and thrifting is practically a sport. The ability to mix vintage pieces with newer clothing is a signature feature of New York style. The combination of the silk headscarf and fur coat lend an air of treasured vintage finds.
Not Too Trendy
Being in a fashion capital, New Yorkers have the advantage of being ahead of the curve when it comes to trends. A bomber jacket complete with flight patches that reads more street style combined with a traditional plaid skirt in chiffon is a balance in contrasts. Color coordination is key when taking on more than one trend and this is a perfect example of mastering two in one.
Feminine and Boyish Charm
Sometimes we want two seemingly opposing things. In this case, a bustier with boyish baggy trousers. The reason this look works? The simplicity in each piece. A plain white linen shirt tones down the ultra-femininity of the top and the trousers add a loose contrast. It’s the perfect clash of comfort and restraint.
Jeans Belong Everywhere
A capital “F” fashion top can go anywhere for any occasion when paired with a favorite pair of denim. Jeans and a nice top have become a wardrobe staple so an ultra trendy top is no exception to the denim treatment.
A Good Blazer For Any Outfit
You’d be hard-pressed to find a New Yorker who doesn’t own a blazer. Even if they don’t work in the corporate world, a true fashion connoisseur most likely owns multiple blazers. A casual dress, cut-off jeans, cargo pants, pretty much anything can be enhanced with a blazer. And in this current trend cycle, the bigger the better.
Elevated Everyday Pieces
The sweater dress gets the fashion treatment when paired with sexy knee-high boots. Plus, it’s an excellent way to take your look from day to night. A comfy sweater dress and boots is always a win-win.
Priority Comfort
A simple slip dress looks so cool and comfortable layered over a thin knit turtle neck and bright red socks. It’s such an easy combo, but the socks with Mary Jane flats really take this look to the next level. Now, whether or not you choose to accessorize with a plastic bodega bag is up to you. It’s unexpectedly cute!
All-Black, All-Day
New Yorkers have a lot of opinions, just talk to them and get ready for some points to be made. But there is one thing they can all agree on: an all-black outfit is never wrong. There are so many ways to style all black and look put together, laid back, fashion-forward, or unassuming. The real fun is using this singular dark color to create the most compelling outfits like an expert.