Fashion & Beauty

New York City’s Street Style Is Unmatched—14 Looks That Prove It’s One of A Kind

nyc street style
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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

Greivy is seen wearing a Frances Valentine coat, H&M dress, Louis Vuitton bag, Ann Taylor boots, Poppy Lissiman sunglasses, Julie Vos rings and Lele Sadoughi earrings outside the Aknvas show during NYFW F/W 2024 on February 12, 2024 in New York City.
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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

A guest wears a white cap hat, earrings, a brown hoodie sweater with printed "Chicago New York Paris", a pastel pale green Loewe bag, a black slit skirt , yellow neon pointed shoes from Prada, outside Carolina Herrera, during New York Fashion Week, on February 12, 2024 in New York City.
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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

Alyssa Coscarelli wears a brown oversized fluffy jacket, a gray and yellow low-neck v-neck argyle pattern printed pullover, a black midi pleated skirt, black leather high heels shoes, a belt, a black leather Coach bag, outside Coach, during New York Fashion Week, on February 12, 2024 in New York City.
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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

Lực Na Trát is seen wearing a brown cardigan, plaid top, brown and black ruffled skirt, black Coach boots and Coach bagoutside the Coach 1941 show during NYFW Spring/Summer 2025 on September 09, 2024 in New York City.
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

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

a person wearing a gray suit with a white shirt and black top
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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 guest wears silver earrings, a black leather trench coat, a black low-neck gathered dress with bow tie details, a black leather bag, black tights, black velvet high heels shoes, outside Badgley Mischka, during New York Fashion Week, on February 10, 2024 in New York City.
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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

Loli Olivera is seen wearing an animal print jacket, black sweater, blue jeans, head scarf, black sunglasses and black bag outside the Bevza show during NYFW F/W 2024 on February 14, 2024 in New York City.
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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

A guest wears asymmetric checkered skirt, bomber jacket outside Helmut Lang on February 09, 2024 in New York City.
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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

A guest wears black sunglasses, mixed metal layered necklaces, white button up long sleeve rolled up shirt, dark brown leather corset top, shiny black leather handbag, dark green and white lined high waisted trouser pants, shiny black pointed toe ballerina flats leather shoes, silver rings, outside Prabal Gurung, during the New York Fashion week Spring/Summer 2025 on September 07, 2024 in New York, New York.
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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 guest wears white ruffled blouse, denim jeans, black bag outside Simkhai New York Fashion Week on September 07, 2024 in New York City.
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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

Yana Echko seen wearing YSL brown sunglasses, Bottega Veneta brown leather earrings, white pearl necklace, The Frankie Shop brown pinstripe vest, Express light brown corduroy blazer jacket, Reformation cream white maxi silk long skirt, MARGE SHERWOOD brown suede leather small bag, Kenneth Jay Lane gold ring, cream white / brown bangle and JW Anderson white leather pumps, outside the Bach Mai show, during the New York Fashion Week, on September 08, 2024 in New York City.
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

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

A guest wears an oversize cream turtleneck sweater and a cream fringe-trimmed sweater skirt, accessorized with black thigh-high leather boots and olive green clutch purse, outside of the Theophilio runway show on September 09, 2024 in New York City.
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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 guest wears grey shirt, black dress, bag outside Tibi New York Fashion Week on September 07, 2024 in New York City.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images

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

A guest is seen wearing a black top, black pant, black and cream heels, black bandana and black hat outside the Patbo show during New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2024 in New York City.
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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. 

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