NYC trip: What I saw (street style report) ETA: Photos!

(Trying again, offline, since my previous attempt got eaten)

The very first thing I noticed, still at the airport, was my first ever pair of harem pants spotted in the wild. I think I saw about 10 pair in total during my trip.

What I did not see, anywhere except on a couple of store mannequins, was cropped flares. I don't know if that's because the transitional weather period was over, or if they just haven't penetrated yet. I did see everything else: shorts, jumpsuits, miniskirts, maxi dresses, and lots of jeans in every silhouette.

Everyone who warned me to bring two pairs of sneakers was right. They were ubiquitous, and very necessary. People walk everywhere: there is a constant surge of foot traffic at all hours. I saw a few ballet flats, sandals, a surprising number of wellies on the day it rained, but by far sneakers were in the majority. Worn with everything. I even saw white sneakers worn with black tights: semi-sheer with a denim mini, opaque with a black fit-and-flare dress.

Another item I noticed was dusters and long cardigans. They looked striking, billowing out behind a woman striding purposefully along. It made me wonder why I don't wear mine more often; then I realized, it's not the same effect when I'm standing around (often in white coat) or driving, and much of the walking in my life demands a coat with a closed front and pockets!

I saw hardly any hats, which surprised me. I guess sun awareness isn't really big yet. (I wore a white paper-straw fedora, which I thought looked sufficiently urban.)

I also hardly saw any grey hair on women. I can recall noticing 2, and one I couldn't be sure she hadn't dyed it grey to be trendy. I suppose my eye has adjusted, because when I first moved to my current region (20 years ago, and barely starting to turn grey), I was struck by how many relatively younger women were completely grey and very sharp looking (nice role models).

That's all I can recollect for now. I didn't do street style pics per se, but I could attach some crowd photos if there is interest.

7 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

I enjoyed reading your street style report. Interesting observations. I love long cardigans and would have liked to see how they were worn by the ladies in NYC. I find it strange that so few people there wear their gray hair with pride.

Jaime

(website)

Very enjoyable report! I also noticed the ubiquity of sneakers last time I was in NYC and was struck by it. When I went downtown I saw more grey hair - including on more than one 20 something women. I always wear a hat, but there is less direct sun with all the tall buildings in the city. I will check it out again this summer.

Joy

Thank you for this interesting report. I remember being surprised at seeing so many women in short shorts on the streets of NYC in August a few years ago. Something I had not seen much in a long time.

Style Fan

Thank you for your report. Interesting about the cropped flares. I have not seen them in the wild anywhere either. Sneakers are so popular everywhere.

Summer

These fashion report posts are always so interesting, so thank you for sharing. I now have a mental image of New Yorkers bustling along the city streets in sneakers and flying duster coats.

Staysfit

Great description of the street fashion in the city! I'm curious about the lack of grey hair. I have some thoughts about why this might be the case, however, I am going to reserve them for now. I see very few women with grey in my town. Those of us who are grey on the forum are also in the minority. Grey hair is truly a hallmark of ones style because it makes a statement about personality, and it creates a unique look all at once. It takes a certain amount of confidence to go grey when the majority of women in your cohort are not. I think this would be even more difficult in a heavily populated location like a city where there are more people. (I guess I didn't reserve that part of my thinking, but there is more -- )

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I enjoyed your perceptions. Thanks for sharing.

I have been to NYC more times than I can count. Everyone wears shoes that go the distance, which makes sneakers THE shoe of the city. Some will change into fancier shoes at work, especially in the Financial District, but on the street - walking shoes rule.

As for style, although you see it all in NYC, people do wear a lot of black.

Catnip

You got it just right! No cropped flares and tons of sneakers. I live in Manhattan, and none of my friends have any interest in cropped flares.
Angie is also right. We do wear a lot of black.

krishnidoux

Thank you for this fun and compelling description. It is most intereting.

rachelthrives

Active Member

Interesting stuff! Wouldn't it be cool to read what everyone is seeing on the streets of their cities/the cities they travel to at a particular moment in time?

Rachelthrives, yes, good idea!

lyn67

Loved to read your spot on perceptions, thanx so much!:-)

Anonymous

Thanks for the wonderful report! You are very observant - even noticing what was NOT being worn, like cropped flares.
I think I left the city the day you arrived. My primary memory of attire is that we saw a number of young people wearing or carrying caps and gowns since it is graduation season. NYU and Columbia had ceremonies while we were there and Fordham's was Saturday, I think.
I do think the vibe in Midtown and other areas frequented by visitors is affected by what events are going on at any given time. There was definitely a happy and celebratory feeling in the air. What a perfect time for your visit!

annagybe

Interesting. Thanks for the report. I was there for a conference two years ago, but it was November and in midtown. Limited people viewing.

rachylou

That's very interesting about the grey hair. Out here in SF proper, what you don't see is 'that' blonde. I mean, of course you do, but those people are just visiting, lol. You see natural or decidedly unnnatural.

Lisa

Very interesting to see NYC in the eyes of a visitor. And indeed, sneakers are always prominent on the streets. Most people I know have a shoe rack at the office for their "work shoes" and change when they get there. And long cardigans, I've been noticing this too, especially pretty kimono style one's and they are just delightful.

Sal

Thanks for the report, I enjoyed your observations very much. I have never been to New York.

L'Abeille

Thank you everyone for your comments. A few responses:

Staysfit, I would love to hear your theories on the grey-or-not debate.

Angie, you're right about the black. M. Abeille actually commented on it. I had a mental image of New Yorkers always wearing black (and it's the commonest neutral in my circles too), so what stood out to me as relatively unexpected was the colour.

Ryce, we spotted a couple of graduates in cap and gown as well. It took time to register out of context; it would be one gown with a small group of people in Central Park, so at first I thought it was some cosplay.

Lisa, I so get the office shoe rack! Mine has two shelves. So far it's been for winter when I commute in boots, but now that I'm walking to the hospital for noon rounds, there are sneakers too. Outfits are more of a challenge now because they must work with multiple footwear: my heels-dedicated pants never get worn. Another reason to embrace crops.

Although we stayed in midtown I'm sure many of the people i observed were tourists, so it's nice to hear from you natives and frequent visitors that I got some of it right.

And now a few crowd photos:

1. Rockefeller Plaza
2. & 3. Times Square
4. Queue in front of the Met in the rain
5. & 6. 9th Avenue Food Festival

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L'Abeille-I so understand heel heights dictating what pants get worn. I adore my bootcuts and still wear them but I own more and more straight leg styles because they go perfectly with heels or flats, so I can grab whatever height my feet are in the mood for.

Elle

Interesting observations! Looks like you had fun.

We were in NY recently and I noticed a lot of sneakers with knit fabric (I'm on the hunt) and backless loafers. I didn't see any cropped flares, only a few wide leg pants but lots of harem pants on adorable young women.

I thought I was the only person in Manhatten over 30 with gray hair (lots of fashion statement gray hair out there)

Thanks for adding the photos, and I see what you mean about the sneakers!

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