New York City is the place that has launched a 1,000 trends over the years including Jimmy Choo’s of "Sex and the City" and “the Rachel” haircut from "Friends". New York is the birth place of so many fashion dos. So what’s new? More importantly - what should you be wearing should you find yourself walking the streets of New Amsterdam? Read on for all the latest.
Perhaps you’re heading to Manhattan for frolic or possibly to attend ferocious corporate meetings. Either way, we can tell you how to fit in fashionably. While much of today’s economy is in the red, New York’s fashion scene is seeing plenty of black. Whatever look you decide to go with, be sure to do it with confidence. So if you’re wearing Converse in Brooklyn or Tory in TriBeCa, be sure to own the look.
Hopefully you’ve landed at JFK or LaGuardia. If you decided to take a discount on flights and flew into Newark, the distance and tolls will cancel out any savings you thought you made. With that said, our advice is to further save yourself the hassle of the subway and get in a cab. If your company arranged for a car to pick you up, our kudos to you! Once you get into the city, feel free to take advantage of the subway in order to save money and even more time. A New York minute can really stretch on when you’re stuck in never-ending traffic. Not familiar with the subway system of New York City? Check out these website and plan your trips ahead of time: tripplanner.mta.info/ or www.hopstop.com. Remember to offer your seat for older subway riders, and yes, you will be solicited by many homeless asking for money, or the occasional mariachi band. Give if you want -- there are no hard and fast rules for this one.
Ladies, if you’ve come into town for a business meeting, but are eagerly anticipating meeting your friends in the Meatpacking District afterward, we’ve got just the look for you. You will fit right in at your corporate meeting and cocktail party with a pair of ankle boots, black tights, all pulled together with a wrap dress. A smart look for winter is to keep warm with a trench coat cinched together with a belt. Worried you’ll be hot while at the club afterward? Many of New York’s high-end clubs have coat checks. While many of New York’s fashion elite carry a miniature version of their apartments in their bags, you don’t want the super huge Marc Jacobs’ bag with you while dancing. So be sure to pack a wristlet big enough to fit the essentials like your ID, blackberry, credit card, and lipgloss.
Gentlemen, a suit and tie are always appropriate for business meetings while in Manhattan - especially when dealing with centuries-old companies, try Turnbull & Asser on 57th. Despite the liberal political leanings of the Empire state, the offices can be particularly conservative, from Midtown to Financial District. However, if your meetings are not with the bulls and bears of Wall Street, you can always look put together with at least dark pants and a blazer. By the way, they don’t always have to match, the hedge fund boys seem to love mixing up with stripes on stripes. We’re seeing a lot of gray slacks and black blazers paired together on the runway this spring. On your feet, we recommend closed toe dress shoes. While sandals may fly in other parts of the country, that is one trend that has not yet landed in NYC.
A quick word about accessories. Even though it is the east coast, and the temperatures do get chilly, sunglasses are a staple. Whether it’s January or June, most New Yorkers wear their sunglasses year-round. Forgot your sunglasses at home and would love to buy a pair while in New York? Keep reading!
It is important to dress comfortably for shopping in Manhattan. There is much ground to cover, so wear comfortable shoes. Ladies, we recommend flats. If you want to be really trendy while hitting the pavement, try the boyfriend look by rolling up your jeans (we’re loving Current/Elliot this fall) Katie Holmes’ style. Throw on a long oatmeal cardigan over a white t-shirt, and you will fit right in. Want to look super trendy? Think white nail polish, big bracelets, and long necklaces.
Nothing will whet your appetite for shopping -- and present more options for sunglasses -- better than New York’s own Fifth Avenue. The real shopping of Fifth Avenue starts just south of Central Park South. Even if it’s not necessarily in your budget, treat yourself to some quality window-shopping. Bergdorf’s for men and women sit across the street from one another and are just a stones throw from Central Park. Going south on Fifth Avenue, there is Prada, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, and of course, Saks Fifth Avenue. Eager to buy something without spending your life savings? You can always find super stylish deals at Zara or H & M. Perhaps you would like to update your make-up and skin care collections – check out Henri Bendel. You’ll thank us!
Though Fifth Avenue is wonderfully majestic, perhaps crowds (especially at Christmas) aren’t really your thing. Then head east to 660 Madison Avenue. Hold onto your wallets, kids, because we’re going into Barney’s! Visiting New York without shopping at Barney’s is a lot like going to Ireland and not drinking Guinness. Or so we would imagine. (If you can’t make it to the real Barney’s on the east side because your trip only allows you the geographical luxuries of the Upper West Side, fear not! There is a CO-OP Barney’s New York on Broadway, but more on that later.) After your trip into Barney’s, continue going north on Madison to check out such stylish stores as Calypso (known for their ever fashionable dresses) and Sigerson Morrison (which always has great shoes that will work for the office and for dinner with friends).
Perhaps you’re a huge Gossip Girl fan and would like to possibly catch them filming a scene or see where they film! Then we recommend you continue on your trek north toward the Upper East Side while staying on Madison Avenue for the best view. You will be dazzled by the dresses on display in the windows of Caroline Herrera and Luca Luca alike. If these stores are a little out of your price range, be sure to check out Diana and Jeffries at 1310 Madison Avenue for delicious separates and darling dresses.
Maybe your excursion to the elite shops of the east side have you left you inspired, but you also want to be able to have money to eat during your weekend in New York? Go over to the Upper West Side for stylish shops at more realistic prices. If it’s daylight, we recommend walking through Central Park to get from the Upper East Side to the Upper West Side because of its open beauty. A stroll through Central Park may just become the highlight of your trip (not to mention, it’s free). If it’s evening, hail a cab or hop on the bus. It is important to be safe in the city!
Guys and girls can find all the latest trends at Urban Outfitters on Broadway and 72nd. This is a great starting point for an Upper West Side shopping adventure. While you’re in the area, do yourself and your budget a favor and grab a bite to eat at Gray’s Papaya. You will get the best hot dogs and papaya juice in town. Vegetarian? Gray’s is not the place for you. But, fear not, because Maoz has delicious and very reasonably priced vegetarian cuisine just south of Broadway and 72nd at 2047 Broadway.
After you’ve refueled, check out Loehmann’s and that Barney’s CO-OP, that was mentioned earlier, on Broadway, just north of Urban Outfitters. If you’ve packed a bit on the lighter side and the weather has gotten unexpectedly cold, there is a an American Apparel on the corner of Broadway and 74th where you can add layers as needed. Not into big stores? Men can enjoy the calmer shopping scene at Steven Alan, located at 465 Amsterdam near the crossroads of Amsterdam and 82nd. Be sure to pick up one of their high contrast plaid shirts that are going to be huge this year. Ladies should check out Betsey Johnson, ReissWink, or Intermix for great trends in dresses, jewelry, and purses, all located on Columbus Ave. Intermix is a personal favorite!
Be sure to walk over to Broadway and head toward Columbus Circle. On your way, you can stop into the New York Look. They always have the latest looks in women’s fashion. If the weather is not cooperating and you are still interested in shopping, check out Columbus Circle Shops. It’s like a mini-mall right in Manhattan. They have stores like Hugo Boss, Bebe, True Religion, and others.
At Columbus Circle, you can hop on the one train going downtown and head toward Chelsea. Chelsea/the Garment District have some delightful restaurants and boutiques including Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, and Balenciaga. Keep going south/south east and you will find yourself in trendy SoHo and/or TriBeCa.
SoHo, geographically speaking, is south of Houston (pronounced Houseton). This is how it got its name. SoHo is filled with great shops. If you’re still looking for new sunglasses, look no further than the llori store, probably one of the only places in New York whose sole purpose is to sell sunglasses. It even has its own V.I.P. room! Looking for great fashion at the right price? Do check out Designer Expo NYC located at 440 Broadway between Grand and Howard. According to their website, their mission is to “take Sample Sales to the next level." And get this, they are open every day of the week! No need to join some secretive mailing list to know when their next great sale is, they have them every day! They carry such designers as Diesel, Rock and Republic, and True Religion. Pick up a pair of jeans to go with your new sunglasses!
For both guys and gals, when packing, always remember to bring a comfortable pair of shoes. You are bound to cover a lot of ground while on the island, and you want to do so comfortably. Do bring a couple of pair of jeans, depending on the length of your stay. Also, blazers can take any look and bring it up a notch. Gals, dresses can be used in many different settings in the city, so why not pack two or three. Flip flops are always fun in the summer or spring months for boys and girls, but we caution you that your feet will easily get dirty covering city’s many neighborhoods. While that may not sound like a ringing endorsement of New York, it is simply the truth.
Speaking of the truth, there is so much to do in New York. We hope you have time to take a good part of it in, comfortably and in good style. Also, don’t be afraid to leave room in that suitcase for your new purchases. Wardrobe Wire offers you a great suggestion--be bold! Take the time to step into shops off the beaten path (or in the case of SoHo, cobble stone). You may bring to surface a new trend that everyone around you will start to imitate. Remember, the city is your catwalk!
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