What’s one to do with a free afternoon in New York? The options are nearly endless, but SoHo (South of Houston Street) called my name. Not only is it a prime spot to shop and enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up at one of the many aesthetic cafes, it’s also a fashion hub and the perfect location to spot iconic New York street style in action.
New York style is as unique and varied as the five boroughs themselves, which made spotting trends and patterns a fun challenge. I put in the mileage (over 10 miles to be exact, with a very necessary break for gelato in between) to round up a few of the most iconic New York street style trends. The best part is that you don’t have to live in a big city to recreate some of these looks at home!
1. Monochromatic Looks in Black
It’s true what they say – New Yorkers love classic black looks. Depending on who you ask, they might give you a different reason as to why – black is chic yet mysterious, a universally flattering color, it’s easy to pair with other pieces, it doesn’t get dirty as easily as lighter colors, and it doesn’t need to be washed as frequently. That last reason alone would be enough to sell me on the neutral tone – many New Yorkers don’t have access to an in-unit washing machine, so cutting down on trips to the laundromat is a big bonus!
It also transitions easily from day to night. I spent the afternoon in SoHo, but as I was meandering back to our hotel the city locals were getting off work and heading off to enjoy their evening. The streets soon filled with professionals occupying the roadside bistro tables to decompress with a cocktail and friends. Many looked equally at home with a drink in hand as they would have sitting at their office desk.
2. Tonal Looks in White
Style a similar look: tote bag | jeans | sneakers | white tee | sweater
Speaking of tonal looks, New Yorkers don’t abide by the old adage about wearing white after Labor Day (I don’t either). A monochromatic look in any color is a sure way to create a seamless base for your outfit. The key to making your look interesting is adding stand-out accessories – which New Yorkers have down to a science. When you have limited closet space, statement accessories are the perfect way to add personality to your neutral looks.
Speaking of accessories, white sneakers (or any good pair of sneakers, really) are a must in a New Yorker’s wardrobe. You put in a lot of miles walking the city, and your feet will thank you if you invest in a comfortable pair. Keep the tonal look going when you’re recreating this outfit by sticking with a light pair, like neutral Veja sneakers.
3. A Pop of Red
Pops of red were everywhere on the streets of New York, from tote bags to shoes to jackets. Clearly, this is a trend that isn’t going anywhere! Red is a timeless shade that offers a fun and eye-catching way to spice up simple looks. It’s also a mature color that can offer vibrance to a simpler color palette. Flatter your own color palette by paying attention to the different undertones that red can have – and if you want to learn more about which colors work best for you, Carolyn has some great tips in the My Chic Obsession eBook and course!
4. Woven Tote Bags
Style a similar look: sneakers | pants | shirt | vest | tote bag
Woven tote bags were another popular accessory I spotted time and time again. A large bag is a necessity in a busy New Yorker’s wardrobe, and a woven variety is an interesting take on the classic leather style.
Many designers have their own spin on the woven tote available this season. Some of the most viral styles I’ve seen are offered by Dragon Diffusion and Bottega Veneta. However, brands such as Madewell and Quince are also offering more similar varieties at a more affordable price point.
5. Barn Jackets
Although it was still in the upper 70s and 80s while we were in New York, the mornings were cool enough for a light jacket. Barn jackets were a popular choice. I personally love the barn jacket as a fan of New England style. Brands like J.Crew have been leaning into their reemerging popularity by offering recreations of their classic 90s pieces in both long and short form for a nostalgic look.
The long barn jacket from J.Crew is on my own wishlist this fall, but in the meantime, I’m styling the shorter version (similar to the one pictured above) for a versatile look.
6. Oversized Blazers
Style a similar look: blazer | pants | heels | bag | sweater
A classic blazer is not necessarily a trendy item, but I had to include it on this list solely for the reason that I saw so many of them on my walk. Oversized styles in particular were especially popular. New Yorkers aren’t afraid to play with proportions to create memorable looks. In fact, this was a key strategy I saw many use to set their outfits apart. Even though they may have been working with neutral colors and staple items, they created interesting ensembles by playing with mini or oversized variations of classic jackets, shirts, or bags.
7. Shades of Brown
Wearing brown for fall is by no means revolutionary. However, I did see a wide variety of shades and textures of the classic fall tone on the streets of New York. From chocolate suede to leather camel, New Yorkers were having fun playing with the moody variations of the rich color.
Against the backdrop of skyscrapers and pavement, brown adds an earthiness and depth to New York City street style. It’s also a great choice for neutral looks and can pair well against black, cream, and olive. The color offers a bit of nostalgia as well for the 1990s, which are having a clear revival in 2024 fashion.
8. Mixing Casual and Elevated Pieces
Style a similar look: sneakers | skirt | sweater | baseball cap | tote bag
New York women (and men) have mastered the ability to pair elevated and casual pieces together for a contrasting but cohesive look. I love a good baseball cap, and it seems New Yorkers do too – I spotted plenty while walking up and down 5th Avenue and Broadway. Not only is a baseball cap a savior on bad hair days (thanks so much, humidity), but it can add a fun, casual element to dress down more sophisticated pieces.
One of my favorite ways I’ve seen one styled this fall is in coordination with the rest of the look – if you have a tonal outfit in brown, choose one in a similar shade. This way that hat feels more intentional rather than like a last-minute addition!
9. Patterned Pants
Patterned pants were not necessarily on my list of trends I was expecting to see in New York, but it turned out to be a popular one. I spotted a wide range of patterns as well, everything from leopard print to plaid and almost everything in between. What most had in common however was that they were in neutral shades. Even though they may have featured a busy print, they were still easy to pair with other pieces in a capsule wardrobe. You may not think of patterned pants as a versatile piece, but New Yorkers prove can you can style them in a multitude of ways!
Looking for more ideas about what to include in a capsule wardrobe? MCO has free shopping lists and guides that you can find here.
Plaid in particular is a sophisticated pattern that is appropriate for both work and play. It’s also timeless – you could argue that leopard print is trendy to a certain degree (although here at MCO we think it’s timeless as well), but plaid isn’t going anywhere, especially in the colder months.
10. Western Flair
Style a similar look: dress | boots | tote bag
Although New York City is nowhere near the Wild West, Western influence has made its way east to the Big Apple. Western-style boots in particular have a place in New York streetwear, and there were more than a few pairs in bright colors.
Beyond just incorporating Western flair into their looks, New York locals love to deconstruct fashion aesthetics to create something that’s unique and their own. It’s one of the things that I admire most about New Yorkers and their street style – they aren’t afraid to take fashion “risks” to put together a cool and memorable outfit. That is one lesson that I’m definitely taking back with me to the Midwest!
The City That Never Sleeps on Good Style
It’s difficult to generalize the style of a city as large and diverse as New York, but one of my biggest takeaways was about the fun that New Yorkers have with style. They don’t take themselves too seriously when it comes to fashion, and are always ready to experiment with creative pairings to create something individual and new. There’s an edgier element to many of their outfits when you compare them to a place like Paris, which I think is fitting for a city that works as hard as it plays.
If you loved the tonal trending looks in this post and are craving more, we’ve got you covered! Up Next: 12 Stylish Fall Color Outfits to Embrace the Season
