NYC style tips?

[reader]

Someone in my arts forums (a NYC native) stopped by my Very Small Town, and visited for a day. Poor guy, he was a fish out of water! He has been kind enough to extend an invitation to drop by his place for a few days.

I am, style clueless. What are some safe bets in jewelry and clothes so that I don''t make a complete fool of myself in front of him and his more stylish roommates?

 

[nycskipper]

anything from j. crew or banana republic/gap to play it safe.

 

[zipzapgirl]

Dress up more than usual. Wear dark jeans in a chic boot cut or skinny jeans. No sneakers or sweatshirts.

Anything on the darker or more serious side will fit in better. I''ve often been on the subway and noticed that every single person was wearing black, dark brown, grey, etc, especially for their coats.

If you''re going out to dinner or drinks, dress up a lot more than you usually would. Most girls wear dresses and heels to clubs. Now, if your friend is an artist and lives in Brooklyn, then the vibe will be more hipster. Still very chic, but in a different, unique way.

If you are carrying a bag, a shoulder bag will fit in more with everyone else, or even a messenger bag. A backpack will stick out.

Hope this helps. I''m sure there are other people with different feelings for what will make you fit in in NYC, but this is from my Midtown/MBA friends/finance job perspective, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[purselover]

ditto everything above - although personally I''m always wearing color. There are so many different types of people either living or visiting NY at one time that you''ll see a ton of different styles. If you don''t want to look too touristy though I would definitely carry a purse not a bookbag, and flats not sneakers, also please keep your camara in your purse and not around your neck. At night I would definitely ask about the places you''re going to so you''re not too casual -definitely bring a nice outfit and pair of shoes.

 

[Circe]

Wearing black is always a safe bet. Right now, the style seems to be for chunky boots or tall boots worn with skirts which either skim right above the boot top or which ride above the knee (or, if you''re the shivering girl I saw this morning, for thigh-high boots and shorts, which, I AM SORRY, is still not equivalent to a pair of pants). NY folk like cool accessories: if you have a bag or hat or pair of earrings that you love, go with that. Will keep an eye out for the next couple of days to see what other styles seem current ... I know I''ve noted (and internally mocked) more than one, but right now, I''m blanking!

 

[missy]

I agree with the dark muted colors like black, charcoal, brown or navy. And one great accessory is a must like a purse or signature piece of jewelry. Leave the sneakers/jeans/t-shirts at home IMO.

Hope you have fun here!!

 

[elle_chris]

Like the other have said, no sneakers. Dark, muted colors are good, and one or two good accessories like a purse.

Funny thing about sneakers. I can always tell a tourist by what they're wearing on their feet. American tourists favor the large, clunky white ones. The typical sneaker that defines the american tourist abroad.. Europeans like them in a variety of colors and styles and they're always small, and look almost molded to the foot.

eta: I wear my Pumas ALL the time. Yes, yes.. an abonimation for a manhattanite.