Style Guide: Womenswear in New York City
Looking for a perfect shopping list for New York City? Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Big Apple, or you’re a native looking to revamp your wardrobe, here are some style tips for a young woman roaming through NYC. There are some staples that come with building the ideal Manhattan-esque outfit, but the key to amping up your look is the right statement pieces and accessories.
As always, it’s important to put your personal style into anything you do. However, it can be worthwhile to pull inspiration from some women who just get it when it comes to NYC fashion, such as the Hadid sisters. Building upon inspiration and this style guide, you can create the perfect blueprint for New York attire, leaving yourself room to incorporate your own flair.
Shoes: Rick Owens DRKSHDW Double Bumper High “Star Black White”
The first essential part of compiling the perfect womenswear wardrobe for NYC is a durable, comfortable pair of shoes to tread through the concrete jungle. Everyone knows that even in the summer, the streets of NYC can be a little too dirty for an open-toed shoe, so instead, the Rick Owens DRKSHDW Double Bumper High sneakers are a great option. Coming in at a higher price range (around $1,700), these high-top sneakers will last for years and their platform sole adds a little height and flare to a basic sneaker that pairs well with nearly everything. They’re currently available on GOAT.com, otherwise, they can be tricky (but worth it) to get your hands on. A budget-friendly alternative is the Converse Chuck Taylor Allstar Lugged Boot, retailing at $70.
Jacket: FiveStory New York
On 1020 Madison Ave., you can find a one-stop shop for the perfect jacket or blazer in New York City. The price range for this shop falls anywhere between $200 to $3,000, accommodating nearly any budget. You can find a thick faux-fur coat for the fall and winter, or a light tweed blazer to wear over a spring or summer outfit. For summer, the Temperley London “Sophia Jacket” is a perfect splash of color for a warm day.
Pants: Kith
Kith, owned by Ronnie Fieg, is an essential shop for any New Yorker, especially when looking for pants. Located on Lafayette St., you can shop all you want and can find all of your favorite designers and brands in one place. In this case, it’s a perfect spot for finding KSubi or Redone jeans, both carrying amazing staple jeans. Or if you’re looking for more of a statement piece, the Saks Potts Rosita Pants or Ottolinger Signature Wrap Suit Trousers are fitting options. Regardless, Kith carries sophisticated and unique pieces with a wide price range, which makes it the ideal place to shop for pants in NYC.
Blouse: t.a. New York
t.a. New York, by Telsha Anderson, is a unique and colorful clothing store in New York that offers bright womenswear pieces. This is the ideal spot for a remarkable blouse that’s in the lower price range; not to mention, their items are more exclusive than other places. One light-weight piece that’s more versatile for styling could be the Bevza Black Viscose Bodysuit, perfect for layering. On the other hand, the Christopher Esber Deconstruct Knit Tie Crop is the perfect bright piece for a summer look in NYC, fitting the knit-wear trend in a modern and mature way.
Accessories: Poppy Lissiman and EF Collection
No outfit is complete without the right accessories, especially when it comes to New York womenswear. That being said, the perfect brand to purchase a bag from would be Poppy Lissiman, a small bag business online at PoppyLissiman.com. This is an ideal shop for an NYC handbag for a few reasons: it’s super budget-friendly (under $300); they’re made out of recycled materials, and they’re incredibly unique and functional. The Crikey BB - Yin Yang bag is a great example of an everyday handbag that still stands out, retailing for $170. Poppy Lissiman also sells a large variety of stylish sunglasses that can step up any outfit into a chic NYC look. As for jewelry, though chunky beaded necklaces are trendy right now, it’s more valuable to have timeless, quality pieces in NYC. A great place to find the right kind is from EF Collection, carried on Revolve.com. This jewelry is mid-range for pricing, but it features dainty but eye-catching necklaces, rings, and earrings. Essentially, these are the little things that you need to tie together your wardrobe in New York City.
As you can see, the perfect New York wardrobe for womenswear is all about creating a timeless base style with unique details that represent you and your style. Whether you choose to spice up your look with an eye-catching bag from Poppy Lissiman, or patterned statement pants from Kith, you can always build a one-of-a-kind look for yourself to stand out on the streets of NYC. And remember, it doesn’t matter if your day holds running errands and riding subways, or drinks on a rooftop—there is no such thing as over-dressing when you’re in New York.
Edited by Kieryn Alexander